En route to Delhi to receive an award, a Bengali film star reevaluates his success through his fellow passengers, dreams, and past experiences.
Matinee idol Arindam Mukherjee (Uttam Kumar) is going by train to collect an acting award. On the train, he is confronted by journalist Aditi (Sharmila Tagore) who somewhat unwillingly starts to take his interview. Arindam, won over by Aditi's naivete, starts to disclose his past, fears, and 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 Aditi dissuades him. 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--back to his normal star self where there is no place for guilt, confessions, or Aditi.—Diptakirti Chaudhuri <[email protected]>
"Nayak" ("The Hero") is a 1966 Bengali film directed by Satyajit Ray. The plot revolves around a train journey where the protagonist, Arindam Mukherjee, a famous and successful movie star, meets Aditi, an intelligent and inquisitive journalist. During the train journey, Aditi interviews Arindam for a newspaper article, and their conversations delve into various aspects of Arindam's life, including his career, personal struggles, and philosophical beliefs. As the journey progresses, Arindam opens up about his inner conflicts, insecurities, and the price of fame. Through their interactions, Aditi challenges Arindam's perceptions and forces him to confront his flaws and the consequences of his actions. As the train journey unfolds, Arindam undergoes a profound transformation, realizing the importance of honesty, integrity, and self-reflection. The film explores themes of identity, celebrity culture, and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment in life. It showcases Satyajit Ray's mastery in storytelling and character development, as well as his ability to capture the nuances of human emotions and relationships. In the end, "Nayak" offers a poignant and introspective look at the complexities of fame and the search for authenticity in a world filled with superficiality and illusions. It is regarded as one of Satyajit Ray's finest works, celebrated for its depth, realism, and timeless relevance.—SunMaximusOne
A famous film actor Arindam (Uttam Kumar), a star of Bengali films, has been invited to the capital to receive a prestigious award. As all the flights are booked, he is forced to travel by a train from Calcutta to New Delhi. He is in a foul mood as the morning's papers are filled with his being involved in an altercation and his latest film is slated to become his first flop.In the restaurant car, he meets Aditi (Sharmila Tagore), a young journalist who edits a serious women's magazines. Filled with contempt for the likes of him, she secretly plans to interview him because she thinks it would make a saleable 'copy'. It soon leads to him pouring out his life history. Aditi takes notes, surreptitiously. Critical of the star, she interrogates him and the star ends up re-examining his life. In a series of conversations with Aditi, he reveals his past and guilt.
He talks about Shankarda, his mentor, taking us back to his early youth. His selling out to films and giving up theatre against the wishes of his old teacher... His first day's shoot, and he being snubbed by a successful actor Mukunda Lahiri. A few years later Mukunda Lahiri, now a forgotten actor after a series of flops, comes to him to beg for a small part. He rejects the ageing actor in revenge. His taking refuge in alcohol. And his refusing to help a friend in politics.
In the fag end of the train journey, he is drunk and contemplates suicide. He asks the conductor to fetch Aditi. He begins to confess an affair with a married woman. But Aditi stops him. It was an affair with a heartless and ambitious Promila, which ended in a brawl with her husband.
As the star re-lives and examines his life with Aditi, a bond develops between them. Aditi realises that in spite of his fame and success, Arindam is a lonely man, and needs her sympathy and understanding. Out of respect for his frank confession, she chooses to suppress the story and tears up the notes she has written. She lets the hero preserve his public image.
