100 Years of Satyajit Ray: Looking back at Nayak, the story of a superstar shedding off his heroism

An exceptional filmmaker, Satyajit Ray remains eternal in our hearts due to his incredible artistry, whether it was in the world of cinema or elsewhere. In 1966, Ray created a very striking film Nayak, which starred Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore in lead roles. The film brought with it, a super-layered and one-of-a-kind portrayal of what a film superstar’s life looks like and what it actually is.

Watch the Satyajit Ray film Nayak here:

The premise of Ray’s film, Nayak, is a train journey that a superstar embarks upon after he is unable to get a flight to receive an award. The film revolves around the various events, aspects, and experiences in a superhit film actor’s life and showcases what goes on behind the scenes that fans hardly ever find out about. Ray, with his incredible direction and writing, shines a light on the simplicity of an actor’s real life, which is otherwise deemed to be rather grand by those who remain unaware of the reality.

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A hero plays a hero

Nayak stars the renowned late Bengali actor Uttam Kumar, who was also known as Mahanayak himself. He essayed the lead character of Arindam Mukherjee and gave the role the true justice required. Arindam, a superstar and matinee idol of his time, encounters a young editor of a women’s magazine titled Adhunika, on a train journey of his.

Initially planning to sleep the entire journey off, Arindam instead gets into talks with the editor, Aditi, portrayed by Sharmila Tagore, and opens up to her about the nuances of his life and journey of becoming and being a film hero.

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Ray’s depiction of a superstar

Through the storyline of Nayak and its onscreen representation, Ray does an outstanding job of showcasing the ordinariness of an actor’s life. Regardless of the outward presentation of himself to his fans and audiences, Arindam is a man who has dealt with similar highs and lows of life, as has any other ordinary person. While such things usually remain unknown to the masses, Ray brings them to life through Arindam’s character and so does Uttam Kumar through his acting.

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Talking to Aditi about the various experience he has had, whether it be personal or professional, Arindam reveals the nitty-gritty of his growth as an actor. From losing mentor figures to being humiliated on his first day on set, Arindam discusses several prominent instances with Aditi as their train journey continues.

Nayak lets us glance at the truly simple nature of a superstar’s life that we presume must only be filled with grandeur and other similar elements. And Ray’s choice of the cast of Nayak also succeeds at essaying their respective roles very beautifully.