1. Satyajit Ray was a renowned Indian filmmaker known for his humanistic approach to cinema. He made acclaimed films in Bengali and received an honorary Academy Award. 2. The story revolves around Patol Babu, a struggling actor who is offered a small walk-on role in a film where he only has to say one word. 3. Though initially disappointed, Patol Babu dedicates himself to perfectly portraying various emotions with the single word. Pleased with his performance, he leaves without accepting payment, finding internal satisfaction more valuable.

1. Prepared by-
Pratyush Priyadarshan
Class-X-D Roll -19

2.  Satyajit Ray (1921-1992) is known as one of the greatest masters of world
cinema. He made his films in Bengali. He received the prestigious honorary
Academy Award of Lifetime Achievement. Ray wrote numerous short stories,
articles, and novels in Bengali. His stories are unpretentious and entertaining.
‘Patol Babu,Film Star’ is one of his most famous stories. Patol Babu got an
opportunity to enact a small role in a movie. As a pedestrian he had to collide
with the hero and just say ‘Oh!’ But he put his heart and soul in this role. He
was commended for what he did. He derived ‘the intense satisfaction of a
small job done with perfection and dedication.’

3.  Satyajit Ray (1921-1992), an Indian filmmaker and
among the dozen or so great masters of world
cinema, is known for his humanistic approach to
cinema. He made his films in Bengali. Satyajit Ray
received the honorary Academy Award for Lifetime
Achievement. Ray wrote numerous short stories,
articles, and novels in Bengali. He made a significant
contribution to children's literature in Bengali. Most
of his fiction was written for teen age children. His
detective stories and novels were particularly popular
with them. His stories are unpretentious and
entertaining. The subjects include: adventure,
detective stories, fantasy, science fiction and even
horror.

4.  The story revolves around Patol Babu, a very common
man in his fifties struggling for his living. In his early
days he was fond of acting on the stage which he did
with considerable success. Then, after coming to
Calcutta he worked in a British firm, in a Bengali firm,
as an insurance agent, as a scrap - dealer, and in all
this struggle to make a living, acting became a thing
of the past. One day he gets an offer to work in a
film. He is excited at the project and remembers how
he used to be in demand as an actor. As it turns out,
the offer is for a small walk- on role in which he has
to run into the hero and say a single word 'oh '.

5.  As first he is rather disappointed, but then he
remembers the advice of his mentor that no
role, no dialogue is too small for a real actor,
and one must perform the role whole-
heartedly and to the best of his ability. He
rehearses the word 'oh ' with different
inflections to show pain, sorrow, joy,
surprise, agony etc. and plays his part to his
satisfaction. Having performed his role he
feels pride in his performance and comes
home, a contented men, even without
bothering to wait for his payment- for him
the pride and satisfaction of a good
performance is enough for a good, true actor.

6.  The story of Patol Babu puts the importance of
passion and satisfaction in the limelight. Patol
babu was a selfrespected passionate actor. He
knew that money was important for him but it
was insignificant when compared to his
sentiments and satisfaction of a perfect
performance. He acted for his passion not for
money. He didn't want to sell his satisfaction for
mere money. So he went away without receiving
the money. This shows that pleasure from talent
triumphs materialistic gain.

7.  Beyond his wildest dream - in a way he had
not imagined
 Verged on obsession- could not think of
anything else
 Smooth sailing- having no problem
 Toying with the idea- considering an idea
 Recalls at times with a sigh- sometimes
remembers past events and expressions
fondly

8.  Cast an appraising look- to consider or
examine somebody or something and form
an opinion about that person or thing
 Rise to fame and fortune- becoming famous
and wealthy
 Make a good of it- become successful
 Perspicacity- ability to understand somebody
or something quickly and accurately
 Blunted his sensibility- reduced his acting
talent

9. 1. What do you think of Patol Babu's passion for stage ?
Ans: About thirty years ago Patol Babu used to act on the stage.
He was very popular as an actor. His name has appeared on
handbills on many occasions. There was on time when people
bought tickets especially to see him.
2. Patol Babu had to change many jobs. Why ?
Ans: Patol Babu had to change many jobs for several reasons. He
was once retrenched due to the war. He opened a variety of shops
which he could not run profitably. He left a job in a Bengali firm
because of the high-headedness of his boss. At present he was
looking for the job in the scrap iron firm.
3. Patol Babu needed money. Why do he then leave without
accepting the money for his role ?
Ans: Patol Babu knew that he would get fifteen or twenty rupees
which was nothing before the intense satisfaction he had got
doing his job with perfection.

10. 4. What disgusted Patol Babu about his role ? What was he
reminded of ?
Ans: Patol Babu was disgusted with his role as it had only
one-word sound, no dialogue. He was reminded of the
words his stage mentor that one should never reject a
part, however small it is.
5. 'Each word spoken in the play is like a fruit in the tree ?'
Explain.
Ans: The words spoken by Mr Prakash meant that each
word which an actor utters can be made significant, and is
significant. It is the actor's delivery of the word that makes
a word come alive.
6. 'That's odd-the man hadn't been paid yet. What a strange
fellow!' Who i the man refered to here, and why ?
Ans: The man referred to here is Patol Babu who had gone
away without taking the money for his role. He acted in the
way because he felt that what was important was the inner
satisfaction and not a bit of money he would get for his
role.

11. 7.What was the role Patol Babu asked to do ?
Ans: It was the minor role of pedestrian. He was to act as
an absent-minded person who would collide with a hero
walking in haste on the pavement.
8. What impression do you form of Baren Mullick ?
Ans: Baren Mullick, the director of the film, knew his job.
He had the ability to understand somebody or something
quickly and accurately.
9. 'Counting the chickens again before they're hatched, are
you ?' What does it tell you of Patol Babu ?
Ans: The statement of Patol Babu's wife reveals that Patol
Babu is in the hadit of day-dreaming. He is not practical
and wordly-wise.
10. What is message of the story ?
Ans: The message of the story is that nothing is
insignificant in the world. it is the way we take that makes
it significant or insignificant. A job done with perfection
gives intense satisfaction, far more valued then any
amount of money.