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Question
Patol Babu writes a letter to Nishikanto Ghosh to thank him for being instrumental in his getting a role in a film. He also shares his experience at the film shoot including the excitement and deep satisfaction that he derived from the same. Write the letter in about 200 words.
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Solution
21, ABC Street
Kolkata ‘
Dear Nishikanto Babu,
It was really kind of you to think about me and the passion I had for acting. In the beginning I was quite taken aback after so many years of my stage acting. Thanks a lor for introducing me to your brother-in-law. I met him and he directed me where to go.
I arrived home and gave this happy news to my wife. I was really very excited to act. I met Naresh Dutt and he asked one of his fellow workers to give me the dialogue. I was surprised to see that it was not a proper dialogue but only a word ‘Oh’. I found it rather strange. I thought that I would be a laughing stock in the middle of these people. I was told that there were more than a hundred persons who appeared in this film but they had nothing to say. Even the hero had no lines to speak that day. I was the only one who had.
Then I thought that this ‘Oh’ could be given a different inflection each time it was uttered. The same exclamation when spoken in different ways carried different shades of meaning. A small grey moustache was also put on my face. I gave the idea that if I had a newspaper in my hand then it would be more effective. I gave my shot and it was perfect. For me money didn’t matter but my desire to act in a film was fulfilled. This was all possible because of you. You were instrumental in getting this role for me. Thanks for that.
Your friend,
Patol Babu
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Why did the dialogue given to him disappoint Patol Babu?
How do we know that Patol Babu was a dedicated actor?
Discuss with your partner and answer the following question:
What are your strengths?
| Strengths | Why do you feel so? |
What is your dream career?
I want to become a………
• Is there any correlation between your strengths and aspirations?
• Do you think you can achieve your dreams? Give reasons.
Answer the following question briefly :
How did Patol Babu react? Why?
Answer the following question briefly :
Why did Patol Babu lose his first job in Calcutta*?
Answer the following question briefly :
‘Patol Babu was a meticulous man’Elucidate.
Why did Mr. Mullick turn down Patol Babu's request for a rehearsal?
Discuss the following question in detail and write the answer in your notebook :
Do you agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with whatever life has to offer? Give reasons for your answer.
Discuss the following question in detail and write the answer in your notebook :
Do you think making a movie is an easy job? Discuss with reference to the story.
Here are some lines from the lesson. What do they tell us about Patol Babu's character? You may take help from the words given in the table below or find some of your own from the dictionary. The first one has been done for you:
| passionate actor diligent unassuming talented genial mercenary short-tempered introvert meticulous modest humble arrogant |
(a) That an offer to act in a film could come to a 52-year-old nonentity like him was
beyond his wildest dreams unassuming; modest
(b) Indeed, there was a time when people bought tickets especially to see
him…………….
(c) 'I was with Hudson and Kimberley for nine years and wasn't late for a single day.'
…………………………………….
(d) It didn't matter if the part was small, but, if he had to make the most of it, he had to learn his lines beforehand. How small he would feel if he muffed in the presence of
so many people………………………….
(e) Patol Babu cleared his throat and started enunciating the syllable in various ways. Along with that he worked out how he would react physically when the collision took place--how his features would be twisted in pain, how he would fling out his arms, how his body would crouch to express both pain and surprise--all these he performed in various ways in front of a large glass window. …………………….
(f) It is true that he needed money very badly, but what was twenty rupees when measured against the intense satisfaction of a small job done with perfection and dedication?...............................................................
Here are some lines from the lesson. Match the meanings of the underlined words with their meanings listed below
| (a) Then he had a job in a Bengali firm which he gave up in disgust when his boss began to treat him in too high-handed a fashion | stimulate the imagination |
| (b) A faint memory was stirred up in Patol Babu's mind. | to surrender or relinquish |
| (c) At first he opened a variety store which he had to wind up after five years. |
staged |
| (d) In Jatras, in amateur theatricals, in plays put up by the club in his neighbourhood, Patol Babu was always in demand | to gain control over one's actions |
| (e) Patol Babu was about to step forward when he was pulled up short by a voice shouting 'Silence!' |
shut down |
| (f) Patol Babu pulled himself together | stopped |
After Patol Babu returns home he recounts his experience in front of the camera to his wife. In pairs write out the exchange in the form of a dialogue and enact it before the class. You may start like this….
Patol Babu's wife: So what happened at the shooting today? Did you get to do your
role?
Patol Babu: Oh, yes, I had the time of my life……………..
Listen to your teacher read out from page no. 193, the passage on character actors and complete the exercise as directed.
Supporting roles are those roles that do not affect the plot or the subject of the film
Listen to your teacher read out from page no. 193, the passage on character actors and complete the exercise as directed.
People become character actors chiefly because (Tick the right choices)
Answer the following in 100-200 words :
"Patol Babu, Film Star," by Satyajit Ray emphasizes the valuable contribution of a mentor in changing a negative mindset into a positive one. Describe how Mr. Pakrashi's advice helps Patol Babu in performing his role.
