Patol Babu, Film Star

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)

Patol Babu, the protagonist of the story, 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.

 

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.