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En route to Delhi to receive an award, a Bengali film star reevaluates his success through his fellow passengers, dreams and past experiences.
Director:
Satyajit RayWriters:
Satyajit Ray (story), Satyajit Ray (screenplay)Stars:
Uttam Kumar, Sharmila Tagore, Bireswar Sen |See full cast and crew »Storyline
A matinee idol Arindam Mukherjee (Uttam Kumar) is going by train to collect an acting award.
On the train, he is confronted by a journalist Aditi (Sharmila Tagore) who somewhat unwillingly
starts to take his interview. Arindam, won over by Aditi's naivete, starts to disclose his past,
his fears and his secrets. On a parallel track, a number of sub-plots unfold (involving an advertising
executive and his wife, a businessman and his family, a silent swami and a cranky old man) to
reveal the hypocrisies and frailties of the society. The film reaches a climax when Arindam,
overcome by his guilt, contemplates suicide and is dissuaded by Aditi. The next morning, Aditi
who had surreptitiously taken notes of their conversation destroys them - not wanting to reveal
Arindam's darkest secrets. When the train reaches its destination, Arindam alights and is surrounded
by his fans and is back to his normal star self where there is no place for guilt, confessions and Aditi.
On the train, he is confronted by a journalist Aditi (Sharmila Tagore) who somewhat unwillingly
starts to take his interview. Arindam, won over by Aditi's naivete, starts to disclose his past,
his fears and his secrets. On a parallel track, a number of sub-plots unfold (involving an advertising
executive and his wife, a businessman and his family, a silent swami and a cranky old man) to
reveal the hypocrisies and frailties of the society. The film reaches a climax when Arindam,
overcome by his guilt, contemplates suicide and is dissuaded by Aditi. The next morning, Aditi
who had surreptitiously taken notes of their conversation destroys them - not wanting to reveal
Arindam's darkest secrets. When the train reaches its destination, Arindam alights and is surrounded
by his fans and is back to his normal star self where there is no place for guilt, confessions and Aditi.
Movie Reviews
The film has a beautiful script most aptly delineating a life of a matinee idol. Brilliantly performed
by Uttam Kumar, originally the matinee idol of contemporary Bengal, this was probably the best
role that he acted in. His glamorous screen presence in the entire movie is most impressive and
is definitely the mainstay of the movie. The story was supposedly written, keeping his struggle to
stardom and the tolls of stardom in mind. Perhaps one of the most important reasons that Uttam
performed so well was that he could probably identify himself in the role. Once again, coming to
the scripts, written by the maestro Satyajit Ray, himself was simply superb. Within a span of a
train journey from Calcutta to Delhi, the entire life of a film star, with all its shades was most
adeptly portrayed. With such a script and direction by Ray it is a pleasure to watch the movie.
The performances by other actors are also commendable.
by Uttam Kumar, originally the matinee idol of contemporary Bengal, this was probably the best
role that he acted in. His glamorous screen presence in the entire movie is most impressive and
is definitely the mainstay of the movie. The story was supposedly written, keeping his struggle to
stardom and the tolls of stardom in mind. Perhaps one of the most important reasons that Uttam
performed so well was that he could probably identify himself in the role. Once again, coming to
the scripts, written by the maestro Satyajit Ray, himself was simply superb. Within a span of a
train journey from Calcutta to Delhi, the entire life of a film star, with all its shades was most
adeptly portrayed. With such a script and direction by Ray it is a pleasure to watch the movie.
The performances by other actors are also commendable.
Watch a song
0 Reviews