This blog is written as a response to a task assigned by Megha ma'am, Department of English MKBU. In this blog there is discussion about Socrates. In the task students are supposed to read story An Astrologer's Day and a short film made on the story. There are some changes that are discussed in the blog. For further information click here.
How faithful is the movie to the original short story?
There are many differences between the original short story and short film.
In the short story it is described that the Astrologer does his business with the light of a nut seller that sells nuts beside Astrologer but at night we don't find the same in short movie.
In the short story there is no description about the wife before the last scene but in the short film there is a scene in which Astrologer and his wife talk about the sweet and their child.
In the short story the name of the astrologer's wife is not mentioned but in the short film the name is given, that is Usha.
In the short story R.K. Narayan doesn't mention the gender of the child but in the film it is shown that he has a girl child.
In the story when Guru Nayak meets Astrologer gives ashes to him but in the short film he does Tilak to him.
The major change that we find is that the short story is originally written in English whereas the short film is in Hindi.
At night the green light is missing in the film that is mentioned in the short story.
In the short story astrologer gets anna as a reward but in the film it is in rupees.
The dialogue between and his other customers is added in the short film.
After watching the movie, has your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?
The setting that described in the short story feels little different from the short story description. Character description and dialogues have some changes but it is improved according to the contemporary setting.
Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If not, can you explain with reasons?
Personally, I didn't feel aesthetic delight because before watching a short film I knew the story. I read the short story before so I didn't get that level of delight but it was well made, and watching a visualised version of the short story invoked some emotion. It also gave a better understanding of the story and characters.
Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?
Yes, It gave me better understanding of characters, plot and setting.
Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?
The turning point in the story that occured when an astrologer meets Guru Nayak. That scene is nicely performed in the short film. That shows the facial expressions and heat.of the conversation in the story.
If you are the director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K.Narayan?
I would like to change some scenes and add more background understanding of the characters in the film.
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