Patol
Babu, Film Star
By Satyajit
Ray
Analysis:
· The
story ‘Patol Babu, Film Star’ is written by Satyajit Ray, one of the most influential
film director of Indian Cinema. He is celebrated as film director, screen
writer, editor, author, lyricist and composer.
· Patol
Babu, Film Star is an inspiring and humorous short story that highlights the
importance of dedication, self-respect, and professionalism in one’s work.
· The
story revolves around an ordinary middle-aged man, Patol Babu, who unexpectedly
gets an opportunity to act in a film after years of struggling with
disappointment in life. Though his role turns out to be extremely
small, limited to a single word, he performs it with complete sincerity, artistic
understanding, passion and devotion.
· It
vividly captures Patol babu’s first experience of film shooting, highlighting his
emotional intensity, professional responsibility, love and passion for acting and
dilemma between his self-respect and passion.
· The
style of the story is narrative as it narrates small details of the situations,
surroundings, characters and detailed scenes of film shooting and direction.
·
The story is great lesson to all the
people on how to fight the struggles and take the right decision emerge
triumphantly in the time of dilemma, especially about their passion and work.
· The
story conveys that no work is insignificant if performed with commitment and
excellence.
· Patol
Babu stands out as a true example of strong determination and dedication and diligence.
He displayed great awareness about film acting and his passion with an amazing
sense of commitment and responsibility.
·
It also criticizes materialism by showing
that true happiness comes from following one’s passion and self-satisfaction
rather than money, fame or big ventures.
Detailed Summary:
The story begins with Nishikanto Ghosh, Patol Babu’s
neighbour, informing him that a film company is looking for someone for a small
role. Nishikanto got to know from his brother in law, Naresh Dutt who was
looking for a middle aged actor and suggested Patol’s name for the role. Patol
Babu, whose real name is Sitalakanto Ray, becomes excited because he had once
been a talented stage actor. He had been acting in Jatras, in amateur
theatricals, in plays and was always in demand during his younger days in
Kanchrapara and once his name also appeared in news for his acting.
Patol Babu now lives in Calcutta and leads a dull,
disappointing life. He had changed several jobs after he had faced financial
struggles after losing a good railway factory job due to retrenchment during the
Second World War. He tried many jobs and struggled a lot while working as an insurance
company salesman. Acting had long disappeared from his life, but this film
offer revives his old passion.
Naresh Dutt visited Patol Babu and asked him to reach Faraday
House building, the spot of film shooting the very next day. Patol told about
the offer to his wife and remembered his old days of acting when he got silver
medal for the role of a dead soldier. He started dreaming of getting fame
through the new offer.
Filled with excitement, Patol Babu reaches the
shooting location quite early. He imagines himself playing an important role
and dreams of recognition. He looked for Naresh Dutt and enquired about his role.
He also met the camera man. Then, he heard the voice of the director, Baren Mullick
who asked everyone to keep silence as the shooting was going to start.
He again went to Naresh Dutt and enquired about his
lines, then Naresh Dutt called Sosanko, the camera man to write his lines on a
piece of paper and hand it to Patol babu. When the paper was handed to Patol by
Sosanko, only one word was written on it, “Oh”. He felt disappointed but Sosanko
told that a speaking part in Barren Mullick film is a great thing. Then, a
young man, Jyoti explained Patol’s role that he has to collide with the hero,
Chanchal Kumar and say only one word: “Oh!”
At first, Patol feels deeply disappointed and
insulted. He believes such a minor role is meaningless. He also thought to go
away. There
was one more shot before his scene, so Patol Babu went slowly back to the paan
shop. He again glanced down at the paper and threw it into the roadside drain.
He felt, his Sunday morning was wasted.
As Patol Babu was thinking about his dialogue, ‘oh’
which is not even a word, recalled the advice of his theatre mentor, Gogon
Pakrashi, who had once taught him that no role is insignificant. According to
him, an actor must give his best performance regardless of the size of the role.
He also told every word spoken by actor is like a fruit which should be plucked
and enjoyed every bit so that the joy can reach to the audience.
Inspired by his mentor, Patol Babu took his role
seriously. He imagined the background of the character, practised different
ways of saying “Oh!” exploring its various meanings. He also rehearsed the
required facial expressions and movements carefully. When he suggested for a
rehearsal, Barren Mullick declined the offer saying he had to shoot in good sun
light and a patch of cloud was approaching. Before the shooting Patol suggested
to hold a newspaper so that collision might look natural. The director also
suggested to add a butterfly moustache to give the pedestrian a snappy look.
When the scene was finally shot, Patol Babu performed
his role perfectly in one shot. He collided naturally with the hero and timed
his movement with that of hero, Chanchal Kumar. He expressed his anguish mixed
with irritation and surprise through his dialogue ‘oh’ realistically, and
delivered his dialogue convincingly. The director and crew were amazed and applauded
him. Even the lead actor, Chanchal Kumar praised Patol babu.
Patol Babu felt proud and fulfilled because he has
done justice to his role. After sometime, Naresh Dutt came looking for Patol
Babu to give him his payment. But, he didn’t wait for his money and left the
shooting spot as his own satisfaction was his reward.
Themes involved
The story emphasises that no work is small if done
sincerely. Even a one-word role deserves effort and dedication. It also demands
recognition.
Patol Babu treats his minor role with seriousness and
prepares thoroughly. This shows the importance of commitment and professionalism
required for every task. The story suggests that true artists focus
on the quality of their work rather than fame or recognition.
Inner satisfaction is more important than money. Patol
Babu chooses self-satisfaction over payment, showing that personal pride and
artistic fulfilment matter most.
Characters
1. Patol Babu (Sitalakanto Ray)
Sitalakanto Ray better known as Patol Babu is the protagonist of the story. He is a middle-aged
man who loves acting. He is honest, dedicated, emotional, and self-respecting
man. His character symbolises professionalism and passion. Even though he wasn’t
happy with his role, he rehearsed with diligence and dedication and gave his
hundred percent to his role. He didn’t wait for payment as he kept his passion
for acting over money. Initially
he was in dilemma but towards the end, he was full of satisfaction that he
finally accomplished something.
2. Gogon Pakrashi
Gogon Pakrashi was Patol Babu’s theatre mentor. He was
wise, insightful and experienced and dedicated mentor. His advice changes Patol
Babu’s attitude toward acting. His advice reflected his selfless character and passion
for acting. He is not in the scene, but is only a part of Patol's memories.
3. Naresh Dutt
Naresh Dutt who is Nishikanto's brother in law was looking for a middle aged actor for his film. He told about this to Nishikanto Ghosh who is neighbour of Patol Babu. Nishikanto suggested Patol’s name for the role so Naresh Dutt came to meet Patol and briefed him about the the role, offer and the details about the shooting. he is a very practical and sensible personality who is passionate and professional about film making business.
Message / Moral
This story teaches the readers that no role or task is
small if performed with sincerity, dedication, and commitment. Success is not
measured by fame, award or money alone, but by how honestly and passionately
one performs one’s duty. Each work is dignified and every job is important.
Important Question Answers:
Short Answers Question (50-60 words)
Q. Why was Patol Babu initially
disappointed with his role in the film?
Ans. Patol Babu was
disappointed because he had expected an important role in the film. Instead, he
was given a very minor role with only one word to say, “Oh!”, which made him
feel insulted and unimportant at first.
Q. How did Gogon Pakrashi influence Patol
Babu?
Ans. Gogon Pakrashi,
Patol Babu’s theatre mentor had taught him that no role is insignificant. According
to him, an actor must perform sincerely and give his best effort regardless of
the size of the role. He also told every word spoken by actor is like a fruit
which should be plucked and enjoyed every bit so that the joy can reach to the
audience. Remembering this advice changed Patol Babu’s attitude toward his
small role.
Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)
Q. Describe Patol Babu’s transformation in
the story.
Ans. Patol Babu
undergoes an important transformation in the story. Initially, he feels excited
when offered a role in a film because it reminds him of his younger days as a
stage actor. However, he becomes disappointed after learning that his role
consists of only one word, “Oh!”. He feels the role is too small and
meaningless. Soon, he recalls the valuable advice of his theatre mentor, Gogon
Pakrashi, who had taught him that no role is insignificant. Inspired by this
memory, Patol Babu begins to practise seriously and performs his role with
complete dedication. By the end, he feels proud and satisfied, rediscovering
his passion for acting.
Q. What message does the story, ‘Patol
Babu, Film Star’ convey?
Ans. 'Patol Babu, Film Star' conveys the message
that every task, whether big or small, deserves sincerity and dedication.
Through Patol Babu’s experience, the story teaches that true success lies in
performing one’s duty honestly rather than seeking fame or money. Though Patol
Babu gets only a tiny role with one word to say, he treats it seriously and
gives an excellent performance. His decision to leave without taking payment shows
that personal satisfaction and self-respect are more valuable than material
rewards. The story encourages readers to value hard work, professionalism, and
commitment in every field of life.
