NCERT Solutions Class 10 English Chapter 5 Patol Babu Film Star

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Communicative Fiction Chapter 5 Patol Babu, Film Star

(a) What was the news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave Patol Babu?

(b) How did Patol Babu react? Why?

(c) Why had Patol Babu lost his first job in Calcutta?

Answer

The Second World War had resulted in Patol Babu being retrenched from his nine-year-old clerical job at Hudson and Kimberley.

(d) How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him?

Answer

Initially Patol Babu was very dejected to know that he was required to speak just one word ‘Oh!’, but later he accepted it because the director told him that he was the only one who had the speaking part that day. Even the lead actor had no dialogues to speak that day.

(e) Who was Mr. Pakrashi? How do his words help Patol Babu in enacting his role?

Answer

Mr. Pakrashi was Patol Babu's mentor. He was a wonderful actor, without a tract of vanity in him. He said, "Remember one thing, Patol; however small a part you're offered, never consider it beneath your dignity to accept it." These words influenced Patol Babu a lot and they helped him enact his role with confidence and determination. From these words, Patol Babu drew spirit, energy, inspiration and dignity to enact such a small role. He no more felt his role in the movie to be condescending.

(f) How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man?

Answer

Patol Babu was indeed a meticulous man. When he got his dialogue, monosyllabic exclamation 'Oh!', he tried his best to give his best. First he tried to understand different inflections of 'Oh!' when spoken in different tones carrying different meanings. He was a true actor. He enunciated the syllable in various ways. Along with, he worked out how he would react physically when the collision take place, how his features would be twisted in pain, how he would express pain and surprise. he performed in various ways infront of a large glass window. When his turn came, he even suggested for a rehearsal. He calculated his steps and timed it excellently well. All these things shows his hard-work and pain taking attitude.

(g) Why did Mr. Mullick turn down Patol Babu's request for a rehearsal?

Answer

Mr Mullick was a very busy and preoccupied director. He had no patience to grant rehearsal for an insignificant role. Moreover, the scene had to be shot in sunlight and as the clouds were seen approaching, he had to take the shot quickly. So he declined Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal.

(h) What were the special touches that Patol Babu gave to his role to make it more authentic?

Answer

Patol Babu was given the role of an absent-minded pedestrian who collided with the hero Chanchal Kumar on his way from his car to office. First of all, he himself rehearsed his own bit. He worked out his steps, his reactions and his face expressions. When the shot was ready, he suggested to Barren Mullick if he had a newspaper open in his hand then it would be more natural and realistic. then, he calculated his speed and distance of the spot where the collision was to take place and expressed his feelings of anguish, surprise and irritation in proper ratio proportion. In this way, he timed it very well.

4. Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks:

(a) 'I hope the part calls for some dialogue?' Who says this? Why does he /she ask this question?

Answer

Patol babu said this. He asked Naresh Dutt, the producer of the film to know about this role and the dialogue so as to be very clear in mind what he has to do exactly because Naresh Dutt has not told him anything about it as yet.

(b) 'Were these people pulling his legs? Was the whole thing a gigantic hoax?
A meek, harmless man like him, and they had to drag him into the middle of the city to make a laughing stock out of him. How could anyone be so cruel?' Why does Patol Babu have these thoughts?

Answer

Patol babu has all these thoughts as soon as he gets the dialogue from Jyoti. It is a single exclamatory word 'Oh!'. He feels upset and displeased at this dialogue. He has spoiled his day. He has come to all the way into the middle of the city for such a small dialogues.

(c) Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge. Discuss.

Answer

Patol Babu is initially very disappointed because of the small role he had been given. Then he is reminded of his mentor’s words that “however small a part, never consider it beneath your dignity to accept it”. Motivated by these words, Patol Babu decides to rehearse his part before the final shoot. He chooses a reclusive spot to practice. As he practices, he realises that a monosyllabic exclamation could be said in different ways and carried different meanings. He also rehearsed how he would react physically when the collision took place - he would twist his face in pain, fling his arms, and crouch to show pain and surprise. He really worked hard at his part and performed it to perfection.

(d) 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.

Answer

Yes, I do agree with this statement. Patol Babu has to struggle hard to earn his livelihood. But he does not lose heart. He tried many jobs, every means of earning a livelihood. He is an iron-willed man, undeterred by hardships of life.

(f) Do you think making a movie is an easy job? Discuss with reference to the story

Answer

The story, Patol Babu, Film Star, describes a film shoot. Film making is a long and tedious process. Every scene has to be rehearsed many times before it is finally shot. Plenty of heavy equipments and expensive cameras are used. Film actors have to shoot in extreme weather conditions, sometimes in front of large crowds. The noise and extreme weather can, at times, distract an actor. The production unit has to see minor details, arrange for actors for small roles, and arrange for props. In short making a film is a combined effort of many people.

5. Here are some lines from the lesson. What do they tell us about Patol Babu's character?

(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 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? _____________

Answer

(b) talented
(c) punctual
(d) meticulous
(e) passionate actor
(f) humble

6. 

9. 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.

Answer

Dear Nishikanto Babu,