Original subtitles

NAYAK The Hero

So, you're going?

Good. I'm glad you changed your mind.

After all, it's an official prize.

There's a prestige in getting it.

I don't give a damn for the prize.

I just want to get away from it all for a day.

In a way, it's good I couldn't get on the plane.

If you'd decided earlier, you could have got a whole coupe to yourself.

- Now, you'll have to share. - Makes no difference.

I'll just take some sleeping pills and sleep.

I won't even notice if anybody's there or not.

Shall I send a telegram so that they meet you?

Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

A telegram won't get there. Better phone.

Call Sunil as well. 22464.

Oh hell! Even 180 is engaged.

What are they saying about the picture?

This is only the second week.

It ought to be clear by now.

End of the month. Not much money about.

I never heard such things before. Why this time?

You tell me, what's so good in the film that will bring them in?

I'm in it. Isn't that enough?

Not enough, I'm afraid. Times have changed.

Nonsense! Bloody public!

Whimsical. Wipe 'em all out.

Bravo! And what would you eat then?

Boiled fish and rice from that place we used to go to.

That's very difficult, brother.

Even I need the best Darjeeling tea with my breakfast.

And, I'm only a satellite.

Take a look at that last column - mark the bottom.

Hello, France... Four, five...

But how did this...?

- Have I kept you waiting? - Just five minutes.

Come.

- So you're going to Delhi? - Looks like it.

Very lucky. I might have missed you.

- Would you like anything besides tea? - No.

- Banana? - Only tea.

I bet Tarak Chaterjee's behind this. Time he was taught a lesson.

Ring up Phani and tell him I'm sorry. I have to go.

I'll be free on the 16th.

- And Fortune Films? - To hell with them.

No. I shall have to deal with them.

Now, sir, lets just finish my business.

What? A contract?

What does the almanac say? Is it a good day for contracts?

Best. Most auspicious.

But my almanac says the opposite, Mr Hiralal.

The opposite? What almanac?

It says, good for travel, bad for contracts.

You're joking.

- Do you read the paper? - Paper?

- Apart from the share market? - I haven't yet read today's.

- Then you don't know the news. - What news?

The night before last, at a certain club...

in a state of slight inebriation,

I administered correction to a certain gentlemen.

- Correction...? - Meaning... the old one-two.

One two...?

- I beat him up, understand? - Oh, beat him up!

I understand.

The gentleman was being too clever by half.

Clever?

And he did that in front of some ladies.

Oh, my God!

You realise in the circumstances this couldn't be tolerated.

Of course not, of course not.

But that gentleman was not aware

that I have special aptitude for one particular role.

Yes.

And that role is of a pugilist.

Pugi...?

I mean, I gave him one.

Oh, good, good.

My aim was not too accurate in view of my condition.

But good enough to stop that gentleman from being clever.

Right, right. You did the right thing.

You did the right thing.

But, in spite of our best efforts to hush it up,

it came out today in two papers.

What does it matter, Mr Arindam?

Nothing much, Mr Hiralal...

except that I don't feel like signing any contracts today.

But it was all settled.

Not in the mood. Let it wait.

But I brought you an advance.

I'll be back on Wednesday. We'll discuss it then.

Please hold on. He's coming.

- Who is it? - Your heroine.

Yes?

- So, you're going to Delhi? - Yes.

- By train? - By train, yes.

- Shall I come to the station? - I'd rather you didn't.

- You've got it all wrong, Arindam. - Probably not.

- But I can explain everything. - It won't be necessary.

- Why are you behaving like this? - It's not without good reason.

What reason?

Tell me, Arindam. Please.

We can't go into that now. I have to go.

Will she want anything special?

If you could arrange for some chicken stew...

Chicken stew.

Daddy, give me my book from your bag, please.

Sure. But don't strain your eyes too much with reading.

Will you have lunch in the compartment, Sir?

Hmm?

Will you have lunch in the compartment, Sir?

They'll take it here.

I'll go to the dining car.

Is Mr Bose travelling by this train?

- Mr Bose...? - Haren Bose.

Oh yes. He's in compartment D with his family.

You're still doubtful?

You never know. He may have changed his plans.

He's such a busy man...

- I'd be glad if he did. - What, Molly?

I don't like mixing work with holidays.

Do you know how much they spend on advertising?

Five lakhs per year.

Just one client like that and I'm made for life...

Arindam!

- Who? - Arindam Mukherjee!

If the coupe is at all inconvenient, there's room in a four berth compartment.

Why inconvenient?

Well, your companion would be Mr Aghore Chatterjee.

My God, he wants to wipe out the whole film industry.

Oh, he's the one who writes for the Statesman?

Yes. He got a bit worried when he heard that you would be...

Let's go and see him, anyway.

Sir, this is Mr Chatterjee.

Hello.

So, you're the film star?

Yes, sir.

I never go to the cinema on principle.

I was taken there once, 20 years ago.

I saw How Green Was My Valley.

But, that's a good picture!

But as a rule, I think these films are bad.

But why blame us poor actors?

Do you drink?

Huh? Well yes, a little.

Yes. Film actors drink a lot.

That's because...

It shows a lack of restraint and a lack of discipline.

Are you going to drink on this journey?

Well, yes, it's my second nature.

Well then, I'm obliged to tell you that

the smell of alcohol gives me nausea.

And I am 79,

and as such, I expect some consideration from my fellow passengers.

Don't you worry, sir. I'm in another compartment.

I have heard of you, read your letters, so I just came to pay my respects.

Oh, I see.

- OK, bye, then. - Bye.

You've got a lower berth. Might be a little uncomfortable.

No, no. This is fine.

This is good. It's all brand new.

- Mum! - Shh!

A hundred point four.

They should have some sense. Foisting him on us!

- What's so bad about it? - Didn't you read the news today?

Yes, but he's going to Delhi for the prize.

Scandalous!

Listen, just open this, will you?

Yeah! Yeah!

Bye-bye!

Three cheers for Arindam Mukhopadhyaya!

In Delhi, I'll show you the Jama Masjid...

- And... - And, the Qutb Minar too.

Thank you.

Hello.

Damn it!

Disgusting!

Isn't there some boy or bearer to open it?

What? The screw cap?

God knows why they have to...

Shall I try?

All right, but...

Here you are.

Thanks.

It's not so easy if your hands are sticky.

Yes, perspiration...

I want to congratulate you.

Me? For opening the screw cap?

No. For the prize you're going to Delhi for.

Oh. Thanks.

- What's the matter with her? - She's been feverish for a month now.

- She's a great fan of yours. - Is that so?

We haven't seen your new picture yet.

- Just as well. - Don't say that!

We never miss a film of yours.

This time she fell sick just as your film opened.

Do you film people have import export problems too?

Oh yes, like any other industry.

I've noticed that the Japanese film industry is growing rapidly.

America, of course, was always well ahead.

But, this time, I noticed a slump.

The studios are all idle.

Or else, turning out films for television.

It made me feel sad.

After all, there is nothing to beat American movies.

Yes, very true. After all, we learnt our acting from them.

Don't mind my saying this, sir,

but we never learnt to care about quality.

Our motto seems to be -

Produce more and produce rubbish!

Yes.

That's why family planning is so important.

Oh my!

You publish this all on your own.

Not quite. There are two others helping me.

But the enthusiasm is all mine.

All written by women?

Look at all this I have to go through. There's no shortage of material.

Do you make a profit?

We could, with a few more advertisements.

You know a lot of people. Why don't you help her out?

You could begin by taking a subscription for your wife.

- Gladly. What's the damage? - Ten rupees a year.

In these matters, I am completely business-like.

Just look at him!

- What name, please? - Shefalika Devi.

You go from house to house collecting subscriptions.

You'll find lots of husbands like mine

who'll take one look at you and pay up ten rupees.

I'm going to Delhi to see about a grant.

I've got an uncle in the Education Ministry.

I hope you don't mind me calling you by your first name.

Not at all.

Thank you.

Hey!

So, this is your lucky day!

About time, too.

- Arindam Mukherjee, isn't it? - Yes.

Don't you think he's wonderful?

I haven't seen many of his pictures, but he must be a good actor.

Hey, there was something about him in today's paper.

He got into a fight with somebody.

Speak up a bit and he might hear you.

I'll just get an autograph for Mintu.

Excuse me.

- An autograph. - Oh yes. Certainly.

For a cousin of mine.

Oh, so that's it.

I didn't think you were the autograph hunting type.

I don't suppose you have the bad habit of seeing Bengali films?

- Not many. - You don't like them?

Too removed from reality.

Quite right.

Educated young ladies...

shouldn't burst into song at the slightest provocation.

And heroes shouldn't be so God-like.

OK. Thank you.

I hope he didn't feel cut up?

Why?

- I never can keep the truth to myself. - What truth?

Did you see Victory And Defeat?

Yes! Where he plays tennis?

Not just plays - champion!

Tennis champion, swimming champion,

dancer, singer, leading progressive,

First class MA, great lover - all at the same time. Is that plausible?

- She thinks so. - I don't care what you say.

I don't mind at all when I'm watching.

I'll tell you what it is - he's a modern Krishna

and all these ladies are secret devotees.

Huh!

- Bearer. - No, let me pay.

No, you mustn't.

Molly, he's gone to the dining car. I'll go too.

What about me?

You come too, but not just yet.

It takes time to hook a big fish.

All right.

- Hey, you're angry. - I told you it's all right.

Molly, if this comes off, next birthday you get a...

Pearl necklace.

Yes. Done.

Darjeeling right next door and you don't serve tea?

You will get tea at tea time, sir.

If you want a cold drink now...

- Can I have a beer? - We can't serve alcohol...

- Well, can I have a Coke then? - Coke?

Coca Cola.

- Coca Cola. Yes sir. - One for me too.

May I join you, sir?

Please sit.

- I don't think we have... - But I know you. Mr Bose, right?

Good heavens! But I'm not a film star!

I'm more likely to have heard of you than of any film star.

Really?

Pritish...

Rhymes with British.

Spectrum Publicity. Why "Spectrum"?

That's to indicate the range of our interest.

That may be so...

but it does not indicate your special firm.

You know Mr Nandi, don't you? Of Bengal Biscuits?

Who? Jitesh?

He was my class mate.

We handle their account. You can ask him about us.

Jitesh was a good hockey player.

I can show you samples of our work. Very modern and effective.

After all, you know what's being done abroad.

You have been all around the world.

By the grace of God, yes.

Why just God? Thanks to your abilities too.

I know that's the wisdom of our times.

God does nothing. Man does everything.

Oh no! Only the extreme leftists would say that.

You keep to the right, I presume.

Not quite. You see, these days, every young man leans a bit to the left.

- I don't like extreme conservatism. - Certainly not.

But, in our profession, we depend on private enterprise.

They do a good job of these trains. Something to be proud of.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Read it?

He doesn't seem to have had much of a struggle.

It's a struggle now. What to do with so much money!

I suppose it's mainly a matter of luck.

80 percent!

Hey, I'll tell you what...

go and ask him some questions, write it all down

and publish it in your paper.

- Then see how well it sells! - Why don't you admit it?

You want to find out what's behind the story in the paper.

You don't know anything!

OK, you tell me. Isn't that a good idea?

I thought I'd keep films out of my paper.

That's silly.

You can't keep going these days unless you put them in.

So I guessed from readers' letters.

That settles it, then. Go on.

Go on.

Wait, I'll toss and decide.

Here you are.

You toss. If its heads, I'll go.

What is it this time? Another cousin?

Do you mind if I bother you once again?

Bother me?

Er, yes. If you object, you can refuse.

Object to being bothered?

Well, actually...

I just wanted to ask you some questions.

My God! You're not a journalist, are you?

No.

I edit a women's magazine.

Modern Woman... Please sit.

Nothing about films in here, I suppose.

I was hoping to put that right by interviewing you.

- Now that I've got you here. - Got me?

I mean, considering you're here

and being the most popular star these days.

Look, my life story has come out so many times in so many papers

that, apart from a few people like you,

everybody knows everything.

I think I know as much as everybody else does.

Really?

For instance, you lost your parents when you were a little boy.

You grew up in your uncle's house,

graduated from Bangabasi college,

worked in an office for some time

and then made your first film when you were 27.

You quickly leapt into fame, name, money and...

- And? - You're still not married.

Neither are you.

Unless, you're on of those modern girls who don't put red in their hair.

No. I'm not married.

But, you know,

what they're writing about you isn't very interesting.

Really?

What, according to you, would be interesting?

For instance, what one would like to know is...

how does it clearly feel to be so famous?

Feels fine. Splendid!

But, in the midst of it all,

don't you feel there's something missing?

Some emptiness somewhere?

And, what if I told you?

Hmm? What good would it do?

Suppose it hurt my box office?

Look, Miss Sengupta, it's not good for us to talk too much.

You see, we live in a world of shadows,

so it's best not to show the public

too much of our flesh and blood.

You understand? I can see you don't.

- Perhaps I do. - What do you see?

That you must stay a hero in the eyes of the public.

- Exactly. - So...

So, there you are.

So, goodbye.

Wait. Let me offer you a cold drink otherwise you will tell

your readers that Arindam Mukherjee has no manners.

And even that might hurt your box office?

Certainly. You know so little about this business.

All you do is watch the picture in an air-conditioned room and say, "Rubbish!"

True. But, I never realised your box office was so fragile.

Otherwise I'd never have bothered you.

Miss Sengupta, you'll go a long way.

I hope so. But I'll have to put in a lot of hard work.

And we don't work hard?

We just lean back in our cosy chairs and just rise to the top. Isn't that so?

Maybe. Goodbye.

And you don't want anyth