Parash Pathar (Bengali, 1958; Philosopher's Stone)
Director: Sathyajit Ray
This is one of Ray's early movies which try to infuse a story with light satire, humour, folklore in a current setting. There are a few subtle jibes at the Indian culture which only someone well versed with the culture would appreciate.
It is 5pm and office workers are rushing home from work Some are also rushing to watch a big (probably cricket) game. Paresh Chander Dutt is one of those workers leaving but not to the game. He is a 50 something clerk who feels too old for games and such. He is eager to get home.
Director: Sathyajit Ray
This is one of Ray's early movies which try to infuse a story with light satire, humour, folklore in a current setting. There are a few subtle jibes at the Indian culture which only someone well versed with the culture would appreciate.
It is 5pm and office workers are rushing home from work Some are also rushing to watch a big (probably cricket) game. Paresh Chander Dutt is one of those workers leaving but not to the game. He is a 50 something clerk who feels too old for games and such. He is eager to get home.
In the first scene, there is a subtle wisecrack! About the game being for charity and his friend asking for a beedi (as if for charity). Then while they are waiting for the lift, Paresh and his friend allow an high ranking officer to enter the lift first as a sign of respect. They, instead, are left behind as the officer brought in with him an entourage filling up the lift!
The traffic is all at standstill because of the game and infamous Bengali rain and Paresh has to walk home. Whilst taking shelter from the rain in a park, he finds a stone. Taking it as a gift for his neighbour's kid (he has no kids of his own), he discovers that the stone has the ability to alter iron into gold.
As expected, with his new found wealth, his life transforms. He becomes a philanthropist and harbours political ambitions.He is an in the limelight officiating various public ceremonies and presenting gold medals.
The traffic is all at standstill because of the game and infamous Bengali rain and Paresh has to walk home. Whilst taking shelter from the rain in a park, he finds a stone. Taking it as a gift for his neighbour's kid (he has no kids of his own), he discovers that the stone has the ability to alter iron into gold.
As expected, with his new found wealth, his life transforms. He becomes a philanthropist and harbours political ambitions.He is an in the limelight officiating various public ceremonies and presenting gold medals.
One day Paresh is invited for a cocktail party and is excited to rub shoulders with the learned and the affluent members of Calcutta. After a bumbling start followed by a drunken revelry, Paresh foolishly boasts of his magic stone and his gold turning stunt to the guests.
The following day, the host tries to discover the secret about the stone but is conned by Paresh. Realizing that his secret may be out in the open soon, Paresh leaves his magic stone with his secretary, Biswas (who seem to be more on the phone talking sweet nothings to his girlfriend than actually working) and tries to leave for pilgrimage with his wife.
The next day, news of Paresh's ability to turn iron to gold is plastered on all the newspapers.
Paresh and wife are stopped at the edge of town as his bone shaker of a second hand car stalls midway! Apprehended by the police for fraud, he is interrogated.
Paresh pleads with the investigating police officer of his honest intention of not cheating anyone. He justified that he created just enough gold to buy a house, keep his wife happy and afford a second hand car. The rest of his wealth were actually given to charity.
The following day, the host tries to discover the secret about the stone but is conned by Paresh. Realizing that his secret may be out in the open soon, Paresh leaves his magic stone with his secretary, Biswas (who seem to be more on the phone talking sweet nothings to his girlfriend than actually working) and tries to leave for pilgrimage with his wife.The next day, news of Paresh's ability to turn iron to gold is plastered on all the newspapers.
Paresh and wife are stopped at the edge of town as his bone shaker of a second hand car stalls midway! Apprehended by the police for fraud, he is interrogated.
Meanwhile Biswas swallows the stone as the police is out to ransack the office.
The public, on hearing the news of gold price may drop after the discovery of such a stone, start a panic selling of their lifelong gold savings. Stock market crash and mayhem ensues in the town.
The public, on hearing the news of gold price may drop after the discovery of such a stone, start a panic selling of their lifelong gold savings. Stock market crash and mayhem ensues in the town.
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| Simpleton to philanthropist |
In the hospital, the stone in Biswas' tummy is monitored by serial X-rays. To everybody's horror (who actually had intent to possess it, including the police), the stone gets digested! All the gold ingots which had been turned earlier gradually revert to iron.
Paresh gets scots free and is more than happy to go back to his simple life. End.
As mentioned earlier, this film is a comedy but not in the slapstick fashion that most Indian movies are famous for. The jokes are subtle and takes few punches at the happenings of the day.
At the cocktail party, it shows how Paresh is frown upon when he does not confirm to the etiquette of bourgeois (the high strata of society) but when everyone is drunk, this barrier is lost and everyone is enjoying his flair in Bengali traditional songs. When all inhibitions are lost, the love for the Bengali culture runs deep!
There is a scene where after talking about preserving Bengali culture, Paresh, still dressed in traditional Indian clothes and after officiating a language function gets all excited when he is invited for a cocktail party (an obviously Western styled party!) - probably taking a jibe at the politicians who talk of conserving traditional culture.
Memorable quote:
Doctor: (after looking at abdominal X-ray) Amazing case! Amazing case!
Police officer: Where is the stone? Is it in the colon or semi colon?
At the cocktail party, it shows how Paresh is frown upon when he does not confirm to the etiquette of bourgeois (the high strata of society) but when everyone is drunk, this barrier is lost and everyone is enjoying his flair in Bengali traditional songs. When all inhibitions are lost, the love for the Bengali culture runs deep!
There is a scene where after talking about preserving Bengali culture, Paresh, still dressed in traditional Indian clothes and after officiating a language function gets all excited when he is invited for a cocktail party (an obviously Western styled party!) - probably taking a jibe at the politicians who talk of conserving traditional culture.
Memorable quote:
Doctor: (after looking at abdominal X-ray) Amazing case! Amazing case!
Police officer: Where is the stone? Is it in the colon or semi colon?
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