Patol Babu Question Answers| Class 10 Communicative English Chapter 5

by Meenu Saini | Jul 28, 2023 | General | 0 comments

CBSE Class 10 English Communicative- Interact in English Chapter 5 Patol Babu, Film Star Important Question Answers

Looking for Patol Babu, Film Star question answers for Class 10 English Communicative- Interact in English Chapter 5? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 10 English Communicative question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 5: Patol Babu, Film Star now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given solutions to the chapter’sextract based questions, multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and long answer questions.

Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.

Patol Babu Question Answers – Book Questions, Extra Questions

Patol Babu Extract Based Questions

Patol Babu Short Answer Questions

Patol Babu Long Answer questions

Book Questions

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
I. He moved up to the office beyond the pan shop and sat down on the steps. It was nearly
half-past nine. On Sunday mornings, songs in praise of goddess Kali were sung in
Karali Babu’s house. Patol Babu went there every week and enjoyed it. What if he were
to go these useless people, and be made to look foolish on top of that? ‘Silence’! Stuff
and nonsense! to hell with your ‘silence’! They had put up this pompus show for
something so triviali! Things were much better on the stage.

i) Choose the option that describes the main reason which was the trigger for Patol Babu’s chain of thought that made him question his presence at the film shoot.
It was the fact that__________________.
A. he was missing his duty towards God to fulfill a personal desire
B. he was with strangers instead of spending time with loved ones
C. he was wasting time on free volunteer work instead of earning money
D. he was wasting a great Sunday on doing something so small and insignificant
Ans- D. he was wasting a great Sunday on doing something so small and insignificant

ii) Choose the correct option.
Assertion: Patol Babu felt silly for getting his hopes high.
Reason: He was convinced that he could never be a successful actor.
A. Assertion is true but the reason is false.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are false
C. Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation
of Assertion.
D. Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.
Ans- A. Assertion is true but the reason is false.

iii) Patol Babu thought that Things were much better on the stage, because_______.
A. theater had better monetary rewards.
B. the actors could see the response of the audience instantly.
C. he delivered long dialogues and got important roles.
D. theater was more suited to his talents as an actor.
Ans- D. theater was more suited to his talents as an actor.

iv) Infer Patol Babu’s tone as reflected in the extract.
A. sarcastic and worried
B. angry and regretful
C. serious and threatening
D. ironic and solemn
Ans- B. angry and regretful

v) The writer uses questions in his writing. Comment on the purpose of this style.
Ans- The writer uses questions in his writing for dramatic effect.These questions aren’t meant to actually be answered by the audience. They are mostly employed when the speaker or writer wants to highlight or elicit certain feelings or actions.

2. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) Nishikanto’s offer stirred Patol Babu to the core. Comment.
Ans- Patol Babu had a passion for acting and theatre. So, when his neighbour suggested that Patol Babu may play a potential role in a movie, Patol Babu initially expressed great hesitation. He was really pleased to get such an offer at his age but he eventually started building castles in the air as the idea gradually began to permeate his mind and spirit.

(b) How did Patol Babu react? Why?
Ans- Patol Babu was taken aback by the acting offer. He was surprised as it seemed unbelievable to him that a 52-year old nobody like him was getting a chance to act in a film.

(c) Why did Patol Babu lose his first job in Calcutta*?
Ans- 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?
Ans- Initially, Patol Babu was shocked to see his monosyllabic dialogue. However, after rehearsing his dialogue, he felt that a true actor could make his mark even with a single syllable. His mentor’s words rang in his mind who had once said that each word spoken in a play was like a fruit in a tree. Not everyone in the audience has access to it. So, the actor must know how to pluck it, get at its essence, and serve it up to the audience for their edification. These words helped Patol Babu perform the role assigned to him with conviction.

(e) Who was Mr. Pakrashi? How do his words help Patol Babu in enacting his role?
Ans- Mr. Pakrashi was Patol Babu’s mentor. He told Patol Babu, “Remember one thing; however small a part you’re offered, never consider it beneath your dignity to accept it.” These remarks had a big impact on Patol Babu and gave him the confidence and will he needed to do his part. Patol Babu derived energy, vigour, motivation, and pride from these words.

(f) ‘Patol Babu was a meticulous man’. Elucidate.
Ans- Patol Babu was a meticulous man. This can be seen in the instances from the story. He reached the shooting site on time and in the attire he was asked to wear. He asked for his lines because he wished to rehearse them before his scene was shot.

(g) Money and satisfaction are like parallel banks of a stream. How does this statement corresponds to Patol Babu’s emotion, after the shot was over?
Ans- Personal satisfaction is more important than financial rewards, as depicted in Satyajit Ray’s short story, Patol Babu, Film Star. The main character Patol Babu realized that personal satisfaction could not be measured and weighed by money, and so he acted in the film out of passion. He felt towards the job more than the money he would make from the job.

(h) Why did Mr. Mullick turned down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal?
Ans- Mullick turned down his request for the rehearsal, showing impatience at his suggestion. This was because Mr. Mullick wanted to quickly shoot the scene in the sunlight and he could see a large patch of cloud approaching the Sun, which was making him impatient.

(i) What were the special touches that Patol Babu gave to his role to make it more authentic?
Ans- Patol Babu rehearsed the exact number of steps for colliding with the hero, added a small grey moustache to his look and held a newspaper open in his hand. These were the special touches which he gave to his look for making his role seem more authentic.

3. 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?
Ans- These lines are said by Patol Babu. He had been a stage actor for many years before work forced him to come to Calcutta. He was a very passionate actor; in fact he was obsessed with acting. There was a time when people would buy tickets just to see him perform.

After many years, Patol Babu was offered a role in a film. He was both surprised and happy to receive this offer. He enquired about his role so that he could rehearse for it. He was told that his role was that of a pedestrian. He wanted to know if the role had any dialogues because he was very keen to show off his acting prowess.

(b) ‘Were these people pulling his leg? 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?
Ans- The reason for Patol Babu having such kind of thoughts was that the dialogue that he was given shocked him. It was for the first time that Patol Babu got an opportunity to act in a film. Till now he had acted on the stage only. He was very excited. He reached the shooting site at the designated time. After watching the film shoot for sometime, he asked for his dialogue so that he could memorise and rehearse it.

All he had to do was to collide with the hero and utter “oh”. He was very disappointed. He expected a small role with some dialogues but here he just had to utter a monosyllable.

(c) Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge. Discuss.
Ans- 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 many different ways and each 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.
Ans- Patol Babu had a passion for acting. So, when an acting offer came by, he readily agreed to do it. Though he was initially disturbed by the triviality of the role, he performed the part to perfection without taking any payment for it. Patol Babu believed it was not about whether the role that an actor plays is major or minor, rather performance of the actor mattered the most. Thus, we can say that Patol Babu was a practical man who accepted whatever came his way.

(e) Why does Patol Babu walk away before he can be paid for his role? What does this reveal about his character?
Ans- Although Patol Babu performed a small role, he felt that taking money for it would be trivialising his performance. He was a true actor for whom creative satisfaction was foremost and not money.

(f) Do you think making a movie is an easy job? Discuss with reference to the story.
Ans- The story, Patol Babu, Film Star, describes a film shoot. Making a movie takes a lot of time and effort. Before a scene is ever shot, it must go through several iterations of rehearsal. There are several large pieces of equipment and pricey cameras used. Film performers frequently work in front of huge crowds and inclement weather. An actor may occasionally become distracted by the loudness and bad weather. The production team is responsible for taking care of little details, casting performers for supporting parts, and organising props. In short making a film is a collective effort of many people.

4. 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:

(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…………….

(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?………………………………………………………

Ans-
(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…………….
Talented

5. Here are some lines from the lesson. Match the meanings of the underlined words with their meanings listed below

Ans-

6. 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.
Ans-
2, ABC Street
Kolkata

Dear Nishikanto Babu,
How are you? Hope you are doing fine. It was indeed a pleasure meeting you the other day. I wanted to thank you for recommending me for the acting role.

I was first startled to receive an offer to perform after all these years. You are aware of my love for acting, so I just couldn’t say no. When I arrived at the location of the shoot, I became aware of how distinct playing in a film was from acting on stage. I saw a lot of brand-new items, including cameras, lighting, make-up artists, and production staff. It was something I had never done before. I have to admit that at first, I was unhappy with my part and conversation. It was a very small part with almost no dialogue. But, I was inspired by my mentor’s instruction, though, and I practised and played my part flawlessly. In fact, I believe it to be my best performance yet.

I am very grateful to you as it was because of you that I had this fantastic experience in the first place. I must also add that your brother-in-law is a thorough gentleman. He took good care of me. Thanks again.

Yours truly,
Patol Babu

Extract Based Questions

Extract-based questions are of the multiple-choice variety, and students must select the correct option for each question by carefully reading the passage.

A. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

Naresh Dutt cast an appraising look at Patol Babu and gave a nod. ‘Oh yes,’ he said.
‘There is no doubt about that. By the way, the shooting takes place tomorrow morning.’
‘Tomorrow? Sunday?’
‘Yes, and not in the studio. I’ll tell you where you have to go. You know Faraday House
near the crossing of Bentinck Street and Mission Row? It’s a seven-storey office
building. The shooting takes place outside the office in front of the entrance. We’ll
expect you there at eight-thirty sharp. You’ll be through by midday.’

Q1. Who is Naresh Babu?
Ans- Naresh Babu is the brother-in-law of Nishikant Ghosh, the neighbour of Patol Babu. He is a member of a film production team.

Q2. Find a word from the given extract which means the same as ‘to judge something with respect to its worth or significance’.
Ans- Appraising look

Q3. Where did the shooting take place?
Ans- The shooting took place near Faraday House.

Q4. Who says he does not have a doubt? Why did he say so?
Ans- Naresh Dutt says he does not have any doubt about casting Patol babu. He says this in response to the question made by Patol with regard to him being right for the role.

B. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

This is only the first step on the ladder, my dear better-half! Yes –the first step that would–God willing-mark the rise to fame and fortune of your beloved husband!’
‘Counting your chickens again before they’re hatched, are you? No wonder you could
never make a go of it .’
‘But it’s the real thing this time! Go and make me a cup of tea, will you? And remind me to
take some ginger juice tonight. It’s very good for the throat.’
The clock in the Metropolitan building showed seven minutes past eight when Patol
Babu reached Esplanade. It took him another then minutes to walk to Faraday House.

Q1. Who is the speaker “ ‘Counting your chickens again before they’re hatched, are you”?
Ans- These words are being spoken by Patol Babu’s wife.

Q2. Why does she make this remark?
Ans- She makes the remark to caution him, as he was confident that this opportunity was going to be the first step towards his acquiring fame and fortune.

Q3. Explain ‘Counting your chickens again before they are hatched?’
Ans- It means making plans or getting one’s hopes up based on assumptions.

Q4. Find a word from the given extract which means the same as ‘ of or relating to a city and the densely populated surrounding areas. ’.
Ans- Metropolitan

C. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

‘Jolly good! Why, you’re quite an actor. Sosanko, just take a look at the sky through the
dark glass, will you.’
Jyoti now came up to Patol Babu and said, I hope Grandpa wasn’t hurt too badly?’
‘My God!’ said Chanchal Kumar, massaging his head, ‘You timed it so well that I nearly
passed out!’
Naresh Dutt elbowed his way through the crowd, came up to Patol Babu and said,
‘Please go back where you were standing. I’ll come to you in a short while and do the
necessary.’
Patol Babu took his place once again by the paan shop. The cloud had just covered the
sun and brought down the temperature. Nevertheless, Patol Babu took off his woollen
jacket, and then heaved a sigh of relief. A feeling of total satisfaction swept over him.

Q1. Who is the speaker in the first line?
Ans- Baren Mullick, the director of the film is the speaker.

Q2. Find a word from the given extract which means the same as ‘very good or enjoyable; used to express agreement or consent’.
Ans- Jolly Good

Q3. Who is being praised here?
Ans- Patol Babu is being praised by the director for his excellent performance.

Q4. What has he done for which he is being praised?
Ans- Patol Babu is being praised for his exceptional acting skills even though he had a small role.

D. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

‘That’s odd–the man hadn’t been paid yet. What a strange fellow!’
‘’The sun has come out,’ Baren Mullick was heard shouting. ‘Silence! Silence! —
Naresh, hurry up and get these people out of the way!’

Q1. Who is the speaker in the first line?
Ans- Naresh Dutt is the speaker of these words.

Q2. Find a word from the given extract which means the same as ‘a person in the same position, involved in the same activity, or otherwise associated with another’.
Ans- Fellow

Q3. Why does he call him ‘a strange fellow’?
Ans- He is calling Patol Babu a strange fellow because he had left the location without collecting his remuneration.

Q4. Why did Patol Babu leave before he was paid?
Ans- Patol Babu was content with the mental satisfaction he experienced after doing a job well, and chose not to exchange this mental gratification for monetary benefits.

E. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

In 1943, when he was just toying with the idea of starting a club in his neighbourhood, sudden retrenchment in his office due to the war cost him his nine-year-old job.
Ever since then Patol Babu had struggled to make a living. At first he opened a variety store which he had to wind up after five years. Then he took up 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. Then, for ten long years, starting as an insurance salesman, Patol Babu tried every means of earning a livelihood without ever succeeding in improving his lot. Of late he has been paying regular visits to a small establishment dealing in scrap iron where a cousin of his has promised him a job.

Q1. Who is ‘he’ in the first line?
Ans- “He” refers to Patol Babu.

Q2. What happened to his job?
Ans- In 1943 he lost his job as a result of retrenchment due to war.

Q3. Find a word from the given extract which means the same as ‘reduction in the extent or quantity of something’.
Ans- Retrenchment

Q4. What idea was Patol Babu toying with?
Ans- Patol Babu was toying with the idea of starting a club in his neighbourhood.

Short Answer Questions

In this post we are also providing important short answer questions from Chapter 5 Patol Babu, Film Star for CBSE Class 10 exam in the coming session

Q1. How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him?
Ans. Patol Babu arrived early for the shoot with great expectation. He was, however, devastated by the role’s insignificance and the monologue. Better judgement prevailed, and he decided against quitting as a result of being prompted by an inner voice, his mentor’s words, to concentrate on the quality of performance rather than the quantity of work to be done.

Q2. What was the advice of Patol Babu’s mentor and guru, Pakrashi?
Ans. The priceless advice of Gogon Pakrashi was— “ remember one thing Patol, however small a part you’re offered, never consider it beneath your dignity to accept it. Making the most of your chance and extracting every last bit of significance from your sentences should be your artistic goal. Additionally, he claimed that “every word said in a play is like a fruit in a tree”. The actor must be able to extract its essence, deliver it to the audience for their benefit.

Q3. What job did Patol Babu have in Calcutta and why did he leave it?
Ans. Since 1934, Patol Babu had a clerical position with Hudson and Kimberly; however, the war had caused the economy to deteriorate and become unstable. The logical response to the problem was to lay off employees. As a result, Patol lost his job after nine years in the job.

Q4. What idea did Patol Babu have while rehearsing? Did the director approve of the idea?
Ans. Patol Babu started acting out his small part. He had the thought that if he were reading a newspaper in the situation, the act would appear more natural. This suggestion was accepted by the director.

Q5. What were Patol Babu’s dialogues and what was his reaction on seeing it?
Ans. Patol Babu asked the director about the dialogue he had to deliver. After a long period of time, he was given a piece of paper with the single word “Oh!” scribbled on it. He felt deceived, embarrassed, and let down.

Q6. Why did Patol Babu leave without taking money?
Ans. Patol Babu exhaled with relief as the shot ended and a profound feeling of fulfilment overcame him. After the first take, the director gave his scene the green light since he had done an excellent job. After the scene, he left the set without waiting to collect the payment that was due to him. The actor in him forbade him from exchanging his emotional fulfilment for money.

Q7. How did Patol Babu react to the offer of a role in a film?
Ans. When his neighbour suggested that Patol Babu may play a potential role in a movie, Patol Babu initially expressed great reluctance. He was really pleased to get such an offer. He eventually started constructing castles in the air as the idea gradually began to permeate his mind and spirit.

Q8. What message is the author trying to convey through the lesson “Patol Babu”?
Ans. The moral of the story “Patol Babu” is to do every task to the best of your ability, no matter how big or little. Each person has a part to play in the action plan, which must be carried out to the best of one’s ability. This is the only source of satisfaction.

Q9. How did Patol Babu manage to make his role special? What special touches did he give to the role?
Ans. Patol Babu persuaded himself that even the word “Oh!” could be spoken in a variety of ways depending on the circumstance. He found a peaceful spot and started practising in front of a huge glass window. He put a lot of effort into developing his speech modulations, range of face emotions, and the right physical reactions to the bump. To ensure the collision’s precise time and impact, he estimated the distance he had to travel. He proposed having a newspaper in his hand to enhance the authenticity of the scene, and the director agreed.

Q10. What comprised 100% of Patol Babu’s performance?
Ans. Patol Babu experienced excruciating pain as a result of the collision. He gathered himself, though, and flawlessly delivered his line, “Oh,” with the required facial and body gestures, while blending 50 parts of agony, 25 parts of astonishment, and 25 parts of aggravation. His flawless performance received approval, in the very first take.

Q11. Who was Nishikanto Ghosh? What was the offer he made to Patol Babu?
Ans. Nishikanto Ghosh was Patol Babu’s neighbour. He had offered Patol Babu a part in a movie as his gift. Patol Babu’s age and physical characteristics were ideal for the job. Additionally, Nishikanto was aware of Patol Babu’s inclination for acting, and moreover, the request was made by his brother-in-law, who was a part of the film’s production team.

Q12. Why did Mullick turn down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal?
Ans. Mullick declined Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal because he wanted to finish the shot before a patch of cloud that was forming in the sky covered the sky and blocked out the sunlight. In addition, he didn’t think the part needed any preparation because it was so small and trivial.

Q13. How do we know that Patol was a meticulous man?
Ans. Patol Babu was guided by his Mentor Gogan Pakrashi’s wisdom. When he learned about his part and dialogue, he was totally devastated. But his inner voice, which echoed his mentor’s words, insisted that quality rather than quantity was what counted. Patol Babu consequently made the decision to carefully plan out and complete the work at hand.
He travelled away to a peaceful location and diligently practised in order to find the ideal balance of mind, body, and soul to portray his persona while gazing at his reflection in a large glass pane. Patol Babu, eventually, “squeezed the last drop of meaning from his monologue, Oh!” and put in a magnificent performance.

Q14. What was Gogon Pakrashi’s advice to Patol Babu on how to become a successful actor?
Ans. Gogon Pakrashi, Pato Babu’s mentor had told him, not to consider it undignified to accept any role given to him, whether big or small. Making the most of a chance and extracting every last bit of meaning from the lines should be an artist’s goal. He also compared the words in a play to fruits that are accessible only to actors. He ought to pick them up and provide the essence to the audience for their enjoyment.

Q15. How did Patol Babu initially react to the role allotted to him?
Ans. Patol Babu was ecstatic when he heard Nishikanto Ghosh’s offer. He had never imagined having the chance to appear in a movie. It exceeded his highest expectations. He started building castles in the air because he felt so significant.

Q16. What changed Patol Babu’s mind about the small role allotted to him?
Ans. Patol Babu was chosen to play a part in a movie. Sadly, his only dialogue in the scene was a “Oh!” Disappointed Patol felt devastated and thought that he was being ridiculed when he learned about this. But afterwards, recalling his mentor Gogon Pakrashi’s advice to accept any minor role, no matter how insignificant, Patol did so and prepared to perform it with remarkable precision and perfection.

Q17. Why didn’t Patol Babu wait to collect his payment?
Ans. Naresh Dutt, the director, gave Patol Babu a little part in a movie. He played a small part, but did it quite well. He left without taking his compensation because he didn’t think money could ever equal a job well done with the dedication it deserves.

Q18. What was the news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave to Patol Babu?
Ans. Nishikanto Ghosh wanted to share some great news with Patol Babu when he visited his home. He had met his youngest brother-in-law, Naresh Dutt, who was in the film production business and had talked about a role in a movie. For this role, a short, balding man in his fifties; about the age of fifty was needed. He was also aware of Patol Babu’s passion for acting, and he had requested Naresh Dutt to take Patol Babu into consideration for the part.

Q19. How did Patol Babu react? Why?
Ans. Patol Babu initially found it hard to comprehend that a man who was 52 years old and a complete non-entity like himself could receive such an opportunity to be in a film. Furthermore, he had no reason to decline the offer.

Q20. How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him?
Ans. Patol Babu was really disappointed when he saw the paper, which had only the word “Oh” printed on it. Then, however, he was reminded of the advice provided to him by his mentor, Gogon Pakrashi, according to which it was not the quantity of the position that mattered, but rather how it was carried out and performed, as efficient as possible. At this point, he made the decision to give the part everything he had, and he did it brilliantly.

Q21. Who was Mr. Pakrashi? How do his words help Patol Babu in enacting his role?
Ans. Mr. Pakrashi, a brilliant performer who without any hint of conceit, served as Patol Babu’s tutor. “No role was big or small; it was how you performed it that mattered,” he had said. As a result, Patol Babu committed himself fully to playing the part of a pedestrian, and he made a lasting impression by doing it brilliantly on his first take.

Q22. How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man?
Ans. Patol Babu didn’t care if the conversation was only one syllable long. He began formulating ideas on how to say it most persuasively. In order to prepare for his part, he even walked silently to a side street. There, in front of a big glass window, he practised how to express astonishment and agony in the appropriate amounts. Finally, he gave that minor character the most significant portrayal possible.

Q23. Why did Mr. Mullick turn down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal?
Ans. Patol Babu asked for a rehearsal, but Mr. Mullick declined because he wanted to film the sequence in the waning daylight before a patch of oncoming cloud blocked the sun. Additionally, he believed that the role was too little to warrant a rehearsal.

Q24. What were the special touches that Patol Babu gave to his role to make it more authentic?
Ans. Patol Babu added a lot of unique touches to his performance to give it a more genuine feel. In order to look as a distracted stranger, he requested a newspaper to read while moving. To make his phrase sound more powerful, he calculated the ratio of emotions he needed to portray. In order to get the right shot, he also estimated how long it would take to reach the actor.

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Dedication and hard work are essential for success. Explain how these qualities enable Patol Babu to perform his small role to perfection.
Ans. A role in a movie was offered to 52-year-old Patol Babu, who was quiet, modest, and humble. He was given the assignment to play a pedestrian who would run into the hero and just say, “Oh!” He was disappointed and did not want to have such a small role. However, he recalls the advice of his master, Guru Gogon Pakrashi: “Never turn down a job, no matter how minor it may be. An artist should constantly strive to maximise their opportunities, extract every last bit of significance from their dialogue, and decide to give their all for every position, no matter how small. Patol Babu practised it several times, giving the word “oh” various emotional undertones.
In addition, Patol Babu offers advice on how to make the shot better, like holding a newspaper at the moment of the accident and being specific about the number of steps that should be made. He delivers a flawless shot, making the director quite satisfied with his work. However, as his job satisfaction was more important to him than money, he leaves the filming location humbly and without receiving his payment.

Q2. “Work is worship.” Discuss.
Or
No work is big or small, it is the manner in which it is executed that makes it big or small.
Ans. This is a saying that has been handed down through the ages. It surely doesn’t instruct one to sing prayers as one works while keeping one’s hands folded.
To feel joy and fulfilment, you must revere the work at hand and devote your entire soul to it. Additionally, it teaches us the value of labour. There are no great or minor tasks, labour must be done with love and enthusiasm. Performances that are half-hearted and uncommitted result in inadequacy and misery. Only when you are completely focused on your work can you experience joy and fulfilment.
What will happen to a patient whose doctor once dreamt of being an architect but now has little to no enthusiasm for his work? Chaos! However, it’s important to keep in mind that our desires might not always come true. So a prudent individual would make the most of the opportunities that are presented to them. As man makes a suggestion, God’s will could not be there since he has different plans for you. Everyone should live by the maxim of giving their all in the hopes of receiving the same in return.
“Patol Babu, a film star,” the story’s protagonist, has very well illustrated this reality. He receives a sense of fulfilment from his commitment that cannot be measured in terms of money.

Q3. ‘I hope the part calls for some dialogue?’ Who says this? Why?
Ans. Patol Babu was the speaker of these words. He conveys his optimism to Mr. Naresh Dutt, the youngest brother-in-law of Nishikanto and a member of the production crew. In order to assess Patol Babu, Naresh went over to his residence. During the course of this conversation, Patol Babu was informed that he would be portraying a distracted pedestrian in the movie. Naresh Dutt instructs him to show up at Faraday House the next morning after informing him on his part and the outfit he must wear. The crucial question whether the character was required to make a dialogue was asked by Patol Babu, just as Naresh Dutt was getting ready to leave. When Naresh Dutt informed him that it would be a speaking part, he was overjoyed.

Q4. “Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom the walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge.” Discuss.
Ans. Patol Babu is an amateur actor. He accepts the ultimate challenge of the walk-on role in the movie and, by performing superbly, changes the outcome in his favour. His love for performing on stage led him to actively participate in plays, theatrical productions, and Jatras put on by the neighbourhood club. However, performing in a film was different. He played a little role as a pedestrian who had to utter a single-syllable exclamation. Patol Babu first had a lot of depressing feelings.
He wallowed in self-pity, feeling deceived, inferior, and discouraged. However, at the right time, the knowledge given by his teacher Gogon Pakrashi restored his dulled senses. His mentor’s insightful counsel jolted him back to reality and served as a timely reminder that performance quality, not role duration, was what mattered most. He persuaded himself that ‘Oh’ may be spoken in a variety of ways depending on the circumstance.
He practised saying “Oh” in many various ways. He puts on a fantastic display by using his own creativity and understanding to combine just the proper mix of annoyance, agony, and surprise to exclaim. Patol Babu, an amateur actor, returned home happy. His brilliance had not faded with time. He was able to transform a little part into a challenging one, and he did so flawlessly.

Q5. 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.
Ans. Yes, Patol Babu is a realistic individual who accepts all that life has to give. The ups and downs of his life have not affected him. He was a stage artist in his heyday. He was in high demand since he was a well-known actor. In fact, people would buy tickets only to see him play when he would feature in theatrical clubs’ advertising handbills. Despite his enormous fame and support base, he remained modest. He kept acting like the straightforward, honest man that he always had been.
The pressures of life eventually forced him to leave the stage and focus on his work at the railway industry. He changed jobs to get a better pay. After nine years of employment, he joined Hudson and Kimberley. However, when World War II started, he lost his work as a result of layoffs. The prolonged fight for survival started. He built a variety store, performed odd tasks for businesses, and sold insurance policies, but success evaded him everywhere. He kept trying like every practical man would do.
When he was given the movie role, he was attempting to land a job with a scrap metal dealer. Despite an early emotional hiccup when playing the film part, he drives himself to take a practical approach to everything. He works quite hard to do exceptionally well. Perhaps it would not be inaccurate to claim that he just once showed a hint of immaturity, when his feelings prevented him from accepting payment for his job. Overall, Patol Babu was a realistic individual who could cope with anything life had to give.

Q6. Why does Patol Babu walk away before he can be paid for his role? What does this reveal about his character?
Ans. Patol Babu leaves before receiving payment. Despite the short scope of the job, he gave it a great effort by applying all of his creativity, heart, and soul in it. An excellent performance by a talented performer. However, he chooses not to accept payment for his services.
It was probably the idealist in him that was responsible for this gesture. He lamented the film crew’s apathy and was quite unhappy with the day’s events. He was disappointed that no one seemed to value the work he had put in. He consequently believes that the money he would receive was little in comparison to the happiness he would feel from performing his task so effectively and following the teachings of his mentor. The author indicates that Patol Babu was a man of strong principles, one who was not frightened of facing adversities, and one who adhered to the mantra that “Work is worship.” The author also discloses that while money is short-lived in nature, principles have the exceptional characteristic of persistence.

Q7. “That’s odd – the man hadn’t been paid yet. What a strange fellow!” What traits of Patol Babu make him a strange fellow?
Answer: These words are said by Naresh Dutt. He went to Patol Babu’s home and offered him the part of a pedestrian in a movie. He saw the family’s poor financial situation as well as Patol Babu’s intense ambition to appear in a movie. But when Patol Babu took the part, Naresh Dutt begged him to hold off for a while so he could give him the payment.
Patol Babu was so satisfied after performing his part flawlessly and devotedly that he was unconcerned about the armament he had anticipated receiving as payment. He enjoyed himself spiritually and was in the seventh heaven. He compared the worth of twenty rupees to his deep happiness and considered the latter to be so significant that he chose to depart the location without accepting his pay. When Naresh Dutt returned, he saw that Patol Babu had already left the location without collecting his pay. He was surprised by that. When Naresh Dutt observed Patol Babu’s self-sacrificing behaviour, he referred to him as a weird man.

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