Solutions

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

TextBook Questions

Question 1.
With your partner answer the following questions: 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:
Self Attempt.

Question 2.
Answer the following questions briefly?
What was the news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave Patol Babu


Answer:
Patol Babu was just to go out when Nishikanto Babu called on him. He told Patol Babu that his youngest brother-in-law was in film production department and he was looking for an actor for a scene in a film they were shooting. A character should be of fiftyish, short and bald. So he gave him Patol Babu address. They would pay him, of course

I.How did Patol Babu react ? Why

Answer:
Patol Babu hadnt expected such news at the beginning of the day that an offer to act in a film could come to an ordinary man who was 52 years old. That was beyond his imagination

II.Why had Patol Babu lost his first job in Calcutta

Answer:
Patol Babu worked as clerk with Hudson and Kimberley in Calcutta and was lucky to have a flat in Nepal Bhattacharji Lane. He lost his factory job because of retrenchment in the office

III.How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him

Answer:
The youngster Jyoti produced a red dot pen and gave it to Sosanko who scribbled something on a page and handed it to Patol Babu. Patol Babu saw a single word "Oh!" scrolled on it. He was surprised that this was the only dialogue he had to speak. He remembered his mentor advice that however the dialogue and the role is short, it should be done with dignity.

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

Answer:
Mr. Pakrashi was Patol Babu mentor. He used to say, "Each word spoken in the play is like a fruit in a tree. Not everyone in the audience has assessed to it. But you, the actor, must know how to pluck it, get at its essence, and serve it up to the audience for their edification." The memory of these words of his Guru made Patol Babu bow his head in obeisance

V.How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man

Answer:
Patol Babu had to say only one word "Oh!" Patol Babu began giving the exclamation a different inflection each time he uttered it. After doing it for a number of times he made an astonishing discovery. The same exclamation when spoken in different ways, carried different shades of meaning. He suddenly felt that he could write a whole thesis on that one exclamation. A true actor could make a mark with this one single syllable

VI.Why did Mr. Mullick turn down Patol Babu request for a rehearsal

Answer:
Mr. Mullick turned down Patol Babu request for a rehearsal and shook his head impatiently. He said there was a large patch of cloud approaching the sun and this scene must be shot in the sunlight

VII. What were the special touches that Patol Babu gave to his role to make it more authentic

Answer:
Patol Babu told Mr. Mullick that if he had a newspaper open in his hand and if the collision took place while he had his eyes on the paper then perhaps the scene would be more effective

Question 3.
Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks? 
I.7 hope the part calls for some dialogue ? Who says this ? Why does he / she ask this question

Answer:
These words are spoken by Patol Babu. He asked this question because the part that he had to play was of a pedestrian. An absent-minded, short-tempered person, though the part was not a big one but that was not the main thing, what was important was that he would be playing a part in a film. Patol Babu was very keen on acting in films. At one time he had a real passion for the stage, in fact he could not think of anything else accept working in the theatre. He was always in demand, his name was also on the handbills, people liked his acting and now he was getting a chance to work in a film. He thought he was perfect for the part but he was curious to know about his dialogues, so he asked this question. He thought this was the first step on the ladder, the first step that would make him successful. He thought his lifelong desire would come true 

II.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:
Naresh Dutt asked Sosanko to give Patol Babu his dialogues. Sosanko turned to Patol Babu and said, "Come along grandpa." He told Jyoti to give him his dialogues. Jyoti produced a red dot pen and Sosanko scribbled something on it and handed it to Patol Babu. Patol Babu saw that a single word had been scrolled on it - Oh! Patol Babu felt a sudden throbbing in his head. He felt very strange, he had expected some longer dialogues. Sigh came out of the depths of his heart. Just one word - No, not even a word, a sound - Oh! He felt stifling.

Sosanko said, What the matter grandpa? You dont seem to be pleased, several questions were arising in Patol Babu mind. Were these people pulling his leg? Was the whole thing a gigantic hoax? Why did they want to drag this simple man into the middle and make a laughing stock of him. How could these people be so cruel? Patol Babu could hardly speak. He slowly said, Just Oh. Is that all I have to say? I find it rather strange. Sosanko raised his eyebrows and said, "You think that nothing, at least you are getting a speaking part in a Baren Mullick film, do you realise what that means? You are the luckiest of the actors."

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

Answer:
Patol Babu at one time had real passion for stage. It verged on obsession. In Jatras, in amateur theatricals, in plays put up by the club in his neighbourhood, he was always in demand, his name had even appeared in handbills on many occasions. There was a time when people bought tickets especially to see him. One day he was offered a part to play in a film directed by Baren Mullick. Patol Babu thought his lifelong dream coming true. When he reached the site of the shooting he was given his dialogue. To Patol Babu surprise it was not a proper dialogue but only an expression Oh. Patol Babu felt discouraged, he found it rather strange. He thought that those people were trying to make fun of him as he was a simple man On asking he was informed that this was a regular speaking part. A speaking part in a Baren Mullick film - didnt he realise what that meant? Why he was the luckiest of the actors? There were at least a hundred who had appeared in this film who had had nothing to say, even the hero had no lines to speak that day. Patol Babu was the only one who had Patol Babu thought about his mentor advice that however small a part may be you should never consider it beneath your dignity to accept it, a play/film is a combined effort Patol Babu now thought that this little word Oh if spoken in different ways carried different meaning. Why had he then felt so disheartened when this single word contained a gold mine of meanings? A true actor could make a mark with this single word

IV. Do you agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with whatever life has to offer 1 Give reasons for your answer

Answer:
Patol Babu is a practical man. He was offered a role in Baren Mullick film of an absent- minded pedestrian. The dialogue he was given was only a single syllable Oh. Patol Babu thought it rather strange for once he had been a famous stage actor, he thought as if those people were making fun of him but he was told that at least he was lucky to have a dialogue. There were others who appeared in that scene but had nothing to say, even the hero. Patol Babu still felt discouraged. He thought it was all just a waste of time but his mentors words awakened him, he remembered his mentors advice. He had once told him (Patol Babu) that as an artist his aim should be to make the most of his opportunity and he should bring out the true meaning of his lines. Patol Babu suddenly felt that he could write a whole thesis on that one syllable because the same exclamation if spoken in different ways carried different meanings. He now wanted to present his part in the best possible way. For him money did not matter though he needed money very badly. Surely he was a practical man who came to terms with whatever life had to offer

V. Why does Patol Babu walk away before he can be paid for his role ? What does this reveal about his character

Answer:
Patol Babu was surprised to get his dialogue for it was only a single syllable Oh. He felt very discouraged. He thought he would be made fun of. Things were much better on the stage. A faint memory was stirred up in his mind

The words of his mentor Gogon Pakrashi rang in his ears, "Each word of the dialogue is like a fruit on a tree. As an artist one should make the best of his opportunity. However small a part maybe, never consider it below your dignity." This small single syllable if spoken in different ways would carry different meanings. A true actor could make the best of it. Now he completely got over his apathy. All he felt was a keen anticipation and excitement.
He performed his part well. He had put all his labour in this one act. It was the satisfaction of doing it with perfection. Money did not matter though he needed it. So he went off without being paid. This showed that he was not only talented but a diligent, passionate actor

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

Answer:
Although movies are intefesting but making a movie is not an easy job. It requires finances as well as proper actors for particular roles. The setting, background music, dialogue delivery must correlate with each other. The rgovie should have an effective ending so that it leaves an impact and message to the audience

Question 4.
Here are some lines from the lesson. What do they tell us about Patol Babu 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?

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
Indeed, there was a time when people bought tickets especially to see him
I was with Hudson and Kimberley for nine years and wasnt late for a single day
It didnt 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
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
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:
passionate actor, talented
meticulous, humble
diligent, meticulous
talented
genial, diligent

Question 5.
Here are some lines from the lesson. Match the meanings of the underlined words with their meanings listed below?
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
A faint memory was stirred up in Patol Babu mind
to surrender or relinquish
At first he opened a variety store which he had to wind up after five years.
staged
In Jatras, in amateur theatricals, in plays put up by the club in his neighbourhood, Patol BatJu was always in demand
to gain control over one actions
Patol Babu was about to step forward when he was pulled up short by a voice shouting Silence
shut down
Patol Babu pulled himself together.
stopped

Answer:
to surrender or relinquish
stimulate the imagination
shut down
staged
stopped
to gain control over one actions

Question 6.
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 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 Answer:
Patol Babu wife What dialogue did you get? Patol Babu I was surprised that I had only to say Oh! Patol Babu wife That is very strange. Patol Babu Yes it was surprising, just one word - no, not even a word, a sound - Oh. Patol Babu wife Then how did you act? Patol Babu I began giving the exclamation Oh a different inflection each time I practised. Suddenly I felt I could write a whole thesis on the single word. I could make a mark with it. And to my surprise when my turn came I was able to act perfectly. Patol Babu wife How much did they pay you? Patol Babu Money at that moment did not matter, what mattered to me was that I could get to fulfil a lifelong dream to act in a film.

Question 7.
Patol Babu impresses everyone at the shoot with his acting talent in spite of having a one word dialogue. In groups of four enact the word Oh in different ways to show the following emotions?

happiness sorrow
excitement fear
sarcasm pain
disappointment surprise
Each group will then enact one of these emotions to the rest of the class using the word Oh. The other groups will try to guess which emotion is being expressed

Answer:
Self-Attempt

Writing Task

Question 8.
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:
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 didnt 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

Listening Task

Question 9.
Listen to 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 (True/False)

Answer:
True
People become character actors chiefly because
they like doing supporting roles
there are limited leading roles
it is easier to act in a supporting role
they cant find any other work

Answer:
they like doing supporting roles
star quality refers to things like ...
good looks and acting talent
good looks and the right weight
good looks and the right height
good looks, height and right weight

Answer:
good looks and acting talent
After the age of forty the actors most likely to get less work are
character actors
the male lead
the female actors
the female lead

Answer:
character actors
The chief advantages of being a character actor is that ...
they are never blamed if a film fails
they can act for as long as they like
they do not have to take care of their looks
they do not need to be skilled at horsemanship or swimming

Answer:
they can act for as long as they like

Important Question

attitude will help them to come out from difficult situations. And with my experience I will be able to guide them in the best way possible. Yes, I can and will surely achieve my dreams. A will pursue honors in my subject and then I will go ahead with a Masters in the subject Teaching is in my blood because my parents are teaching in a high school. I tutor the children living near my house who cannot afford expensive tuitions, This helps them and I too have started getting practice in this profession.
 

Question 2.
Answer the following questions briefly.
Year of Question(2009)
(a) What was the news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave patol Babu?

Answer Nishikanto Ghosh told Patol Babu that his youngest brother-in-law was in search of an actor for a scene in a film, He required a person who would be in his fifties, short and bald-headed. It reminded him of Patol Babu and thus he came to give. the news to

(b) How did Patol Babu react? Why?

Answer Patol Babu was very excited. Going through a mundane life and a routine existence. he never expected such news at the age of fifty-two. when he had given up acting twenty years ago and was living like a common unknown person.
(c) Why had Patol Babu lost his first job in Calcutta?

Answer Patol Babu had a very smooth life till he lost his first job in Calcutta. There was a sudden retrenchment in his office due to the war which cost him his nine year old job.
(d) How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him?

Answer Patol Babu initially lost his temper when he came to know about his dialogue, He later regained composure when he remembered the words of his mentor and guru Mr Gogon Pakrashi who said that each word spoken in a play is like a fruit on a tree, Not everyone in the audience has access to it But an actor must know
how to pluck it and get at its essence and serve it up to the audience for their edification. These words helped’ Patol Babu to reconcile to the dialogue given to him.

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

Answer Mr Prakashi was Patol Babu’s mentor and guru. Hs words proved to be a source Of inspiration to Patol Babu in this testing time. After remembering his words he was able to fight with his initial apprehensions to go ahead With his dialogue.
(f) How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man?
Answer: Patol Babu was a meticulous man because he rehearsed Well before his shot. Although his part was very small he thought to deliver it with perfection and at one go. He rehearsed his dialogue in various ways with different emotions. to come out with the best one.
(g) Why did Mr Mullick turn down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal ?
Answer: Mr Mullick turned down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal because they had to perform the scene in sunlight and there was a large patch of cloud approaching. To finish it off fast he tu ned down his request,

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

Answer: Patol Babu practised his dialogue in different Ways. He discovered that every time a person uttered ‘Oh’, it had a different emotion- It could be high or low pitched, starting high and ending bw, starting and ending high, short or long drawn. gave it various attempts to come out with the best one, which was his way to make his role authentic.

Question 3.
Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks?
(a) hope the part calls for dialogue’. Who this? Why does he/she ask this question?
Year of Question(2010)

Answer These lines are spoken by Patol Babu to NareshDutt. He asks this question because he thought that every actor had a role to play With certain dialogues. He knew this all the rue well because he had worked in a theatre when he was young. He knew that dialogues require practice and therefore demanded them
beforehand so that he could rehearse well before the final shoot.

(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 i laughing stock out of him. How could anyone be so cruel?’ Why does Patol Babu have these thoughts?

Answer It was very natural on Patol Babu’s part to have such thoughts. When he came to know what his dialogue and role was, he was almost taken aback. He felt humiliated and this Was more so because at one time he had been a very great stage actor. people used to be very anxious to see him on stage. After having been an actor demand, it was very difficult for him to get such a short and insignificant role
(c) Patol-Babu is an amateur actor br whom a äk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge. Discuss.

Answer When Patol Babu got his role he was upset in the beginning. Afterwards he settles down when he remembers the words of his mentor. who had told him that no role is too small. To put n the best efforts in whatever role you get is the actual work of an artist. is what he had been taught. Therefore, he takes this role as a challenge. He sorted out ways to recite his dialogue which was just the one word ‘Oh’. It had now become a challenge for him to act his part in the best way possible.
(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 Of course Patol Babu is a very practical man. From the very beginning he has taken his life as it came. He was when he had a smooth life with a secure job and when he lost his he struggled with perseverance. He changed jobs some by nature and others due to circumstances, which is evidence to portray him as a
practical man. He had never created any fuss with anybody He readily agrees to go for the shoot when his friend brought him the offer of a role.
(e) Why does Patol Babu walk away before he can be paid for his role? What does this reveal about his character?

Patol Babu walks away before he is paid role because he knew what he would be paid would be a trivia’ arncn_.nt which would hurt him. being an actor. It that he feels those people to be commercialised Who cannot recognise and appreciate actual talent. He felt that the satisfaction to deliver his dialogue flawlessly was his actual gain.
The satisfaction was his payment and he did not wish to sell this satisfaction. This lets us know genuine Patol Babu was. He was a passionate actor who worked just for the sake of love for the work and not for material gains.

(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
(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?
(b) Famous, talented, worthy,
(c) Punctual, dedicated. sincere
(d) Perfectionist, meticulous, diligent
(e) Passionate actor, careful, meticulous
(f) satisfied, dedicated
 

Question 5.
Here are some lines from the lesson. Match the meanings of the underlined words with their meanings listed below.
Year of Question(2009)

(a) Then he had a job in a Bengali firm stimulate the imagination which he gave up in disgust when his boss began to treat him in too high-handed a fashion
(b ) A faint memory was stirred up in to surrender or relinquish Patol Babu’s mind.
(c) At first he opened a variety store staged, which he had to wind up after five years
(d) In Jatras, in amateur theatricals, to gain control over one’s in plays by the club in his actions neighbourhood, Patol Babu was always in demand
(e) Patol Babu was about to step forward shut down when he was pulled up short by a voice shouting ‘Silence!’
(f) Patol Babu pulled himself together stopped

Answer:
(a) gave up - to Surrender or relinquish
(b) stirred up - stimulate the imagination
(c) up - shut down
(d) put up-staged
(e) pulled up - Stopped
(f) puled himself together- to gain control over One’s actions

Important questions and their answers based on the lesson "Patol Babu, Film Star"

Question1.
What was the news that "Nishikanto Ghosh" gave to "Patol Babu"?

Answer:

  • News: Patol Babu had a chance to act in a film
  • Details: Nishikantos brother-in-law, "Naresh Dutt", was looking for a middle-aged actor for a small role, and Patol Babu fit the description
  • Importance: Patol Babu was excited as this opportunity came unexpectedly
Question2.
How did Patol Babu react? Why?

Answer:

  • Surprised: Patol Babu was shocked and excited
  • Reason: He had not acted in a long time and didnt expect such an opportunity at his age
  • Dream: Acting had always been a passion for him, so this offer made him hopeful
Question3.
Why had Patol Babu lost his first job in "Calcutta"?

Answer:

  • Year: In 1943, Patol Babu lost his job
  • Reason: The company retrenched (laid off) many employees because of World War II
  • Impact: This loss started his long struggle to find stable work
Question4.
How did Patol Babu accept the one-word dialogue given to him?

Answer:

  • At First: He was disappointed because his role only had one word: "Oh"
  • Reconciliation: He remembered the advice of his mentor, "Gogon Pakrashi"
  • Advice: Even a small role should be performed with dedication
  • Realization: Patol Babu realized he could add meaning to the single word by expressing different emotions
Question5.
Who was "Mr. Pakrashi", and how did his advice help Patol Babu?

Answer:

  • Who: Mr. Gogon Pakrashi was Patol Babus mentor
  • Advice: He told Patol Babu that no role is too small and that every role should be performed with full effort
  • Help: This advice encouraged Patol Babu to take his role seriously and perform it with pride
Question6.
How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man?

Answer:

  • Preparation: He practiced his single line "Oh" in different tones to express different emotions
  • Attention to Detail: He even asked for a rehearsal and suggested adding a newspaper to make his character more realistic
  • Effort: His dedication showed that he wanted to perform his small part perfectly
Question7.
Why did "Mr. Mullick" turn down Patol Babus request for a rehearsal?

Answer:

  • Reason: Mr. Mullick, the director, was in a hurry
  • Time: There was a large cloud approaching, and the scene needed to be shot in sunlight
  • Conclusion: Mr. Mullick refused to rehearse because he was focused on completing the shoot quickly
Question8.
What special touches did Patol Babu add to his role?

Answer:

  • Addition: He asked to hold a newspaper, which added realism to the scene
  • Expression: He practiced saying the word "Oh" in different ways, giving it multiple meanings
  • Physical Acting: He carefully planned his body movements to show pain, surprise, and irritation during the collision scene
Question9.
Why does Patol Babu walk away before getting paid? What does this reveal about his character?

Answer:

  • Reason: He realized that the satisfaction of performing well was more important than money
  • Character: This shows that Patol Babu was passionate, dedicated, and not greedy. His love for acting was greater than material rewards
Question10.
Do you think making a movie is an easy job? Discuss with reference to the story?

Answer:

  • Hard Work: The story shows that filmmaking involves a lot of effort and coordination
  • Example: The crew, the actors, and the director all work together, and even a small scene requires attention to detail
  • Patol Babus Role: Even though his role was small, Patol Babu had to prepare and think deeply about how to deliver his single line

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