Gul Mohar English Class 8 Chapter - 4 Patol Babu, Film Star

Gul Mohar Edition 9 Orient Blackswan

Gul Mohar English Chapter - 4 Patol Babu, Film Star

Writer of the story - Satyajit Ray
Question and Answers
Question 1: …A play involves the work of many and it is this combined effort that makes a success of the play.”
a) Who said these words to Patol Babu?                                     
Answer: Patol Babu’s mentor, Mr. Pakrashi said these words of advice to Patol Babu.

b) How was Patol Babu feeling when he remembered these words? Why?
Answer: Patol Babu was feeling upset and displeased when he had been given an insignificant role in a movie. This was because his part had only mono syllable” word Oh!” He was deeply dejected for he had come all the way into the middle of the city for such a small dialogue. But when he remembered the piece of advice given by his mentor, he felt a bit more hopeful and comfortable.

c) How did these words help Patol Babu become a sincere team-player?
Answer: The Mentors advice gave Patol Babu motivation and inspiration to play his part perfectly even though he got a very small dialogue .He rehearsed this one syllable in different rhythms and tones with firm commitment and become a sincere team player.

Question 2: ‘The true actor could make a mark with this one syllable’.
a) What syllable is Patol Babu referring to? What difference did he make about the syllable?
Answer: Patol Babu is referring to the syllable “Oh!” his only dialogue in a film he was offered to act in. With keen excitement and anticipation he discovered that the one syllable gave a different meaning when said with different emotions and inflection each time.

b) How did Patol Babu use the discovery and make a mark with this acting?
Answer: When the word “Oh!” is said in different inflection, it gives different meaning to the word. And when you miss the perfect amount of each emotion, you will show the true emotion that is expressed. So if any one of the emotions is overpowering the complete meaning of the word and emotional changes. Patol Babu acted naturally with a blend of surprise and irritation to utter “Oh” so that he could make a mark with his acting skills.

c) Did you think this made him a ‘true actor’? Why do you think so?
Answer: Yes, this made him a true actor because it is very hard to convey the message that the character means in one syllable. Patol Babu   took the role in his stride to give his best performance. He rehearsed his only dialogue to make his acting look natural. This made him a ‘true actor’.

Question 3: What is the role in the film that is offered to Patol Babu?
Answer: The role offered to Patol Babu by Naresh Dutt, the director, was that of an absent-minded, short-tempered pedestrian.

Question 4: “I really don't see why I should say no.” Do these words reflect Patol Babu’s excitement about the acting opportunity? Why is he trying to hide his real feelings?
Answer: The words do not reflect the exact excitement that Patol Babu felt upon receiving the offer to act in a film. At one time Patol Babu had a real passion for theatre and acting. In spite of having a job in the old railway factory, he was always in demand for amateur theatricals put up by his neighbourhood club. So getting an opportunity to work for a real film was like a dream come true for him. Deep down, Patol Babu felt Jubilant. Patol Babu is trying to hide his excitement to maintain his composure. Simply but, he doesn't want to look over enthusiastic like a child.

Question 5: Why did Patol Babu have to give up acting? How did you feel about it? Which line in the story tells you that?
Answer: Patol Babu gave up acting in 1943, when there were sudden dismissals in his office due to the Second World War. Ever since he lost his 9 year old job, he struggled to make a living. He had tried every means of earning a livelihood without ever succeeding in improving his lot. Hence, acting had become a thing of the remote past. Patol Babu regretted having to give up on acting. The line “Acting had become a thing of the remote past-something which he recalled at times with a sigh” shows this.

Question 6: A member of the shooting crew tells Patol Babu “Just think how crucial the short is.” Is the role truly crucial? Why does he say so to Patol Babu?
Answer: A member of the shooting crew, Jyoti, came up and explained to Patol Babu what his role in the film demanded. He described that Chanchal Kumar, a character in the film, was a rising young executive who had just been informed about an embezzlement that had taken place in his office. He got out of his car and ran across the pavement towards the entrance of the office, when he collided with a distracted pedestrian. The pedestrian was hurt in the head and said “Oh!” but Chanchal Kumar paid no attention to the pedestrian and went into the office. This absent-minded pedestrian was to be played by Patol Babu.
Patol Babu was insignificant to the entire film. Patol Babu would just be a supporting crew and the audience perhaps would not even notice him. Jyoti said to convince Patol Babu that the part he would be playing was of importance to the film. This would perhaps make Patol Babu take his role seriously.