Reviews & Ratings for
Nayak: The Hero More at IMDbPro »Nayak (original title)

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18 out of 21 people found the following review useful:
A true masterpiece by Satyajit, 25 January 1999

Author: Shahbaz Nazrul from San Diego, CA

A least seen movie of Satyajit. Satyajit is one of the very few great directors who worked outside Hollywood circle and gave a lot to the film history. He is mostly know to the movie lovers as the creator of great APU TRILOGY. I feel that Ray's works are severely under-represented in USA, although most of his works are masterpiece or near-masterpiece. Thanks to Ishmael Marchent for arranging a retrospective on Ray's works at USA in 1996, I guess. But again in that retrospective, I didn't see the names of some of his great works, like NAYAK, KUNCHENJUNGHA, SEEMABADHYA, ARANYER DIN RATRI or SONAR KELLA. Names of the films that I always see in a Satyajit Festival are the APU TRILOGY, JALSHAGHAR, CHARULATA, GHARE-BAIRE ... etc. No doubt that all of those are great works of Ray, but indeed one cannot know the power of his filmmaking unless he sees some of his other less known works (some of which I mentioned).

Nayak is a simple story of the most popular Film Actor of India, acted with all perfection by great Indian Actor Uttam Kumar, who goes to the capital city Delhi to receive an award of his achievement via a train. On the train he meets Shormila Tagore (Another favorite actress of Satyajit whom he casted in several other movies like, Apur Sansar, Devi, Aranyer Din Ratri, Seemabadhya ... etc.) and some other characters of the story. The story progresses when Uttam discusses with different aspects of his life and career with others (especially with Shormila). In depth thoughts and feelings of UTTAM sprung out as time goes by and Shormila discovers the very lonely man in Uttam hidden behind his day to day charismatic lifestyle.

On my judgement, NAYAK is the greatest creation of RAY. UTTAM's acting can challenge anyone in the motion picture history. The high abstratness and philosophical bent of the movie is comparable to that of CITIZEN KANE (according to me, better than CITIZEN KANE) and the mutual conversations among the characters or the screenplay in other words, can beat those of MINDWALK, VANYA ON 42nD STREET, RED or CASABLANCA. A must see film for all great movie lovers. A 10+ out of 10.

12 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
Another one of Ray's less known but remarkable gems., 28 September 2007
Author: Jizdenky from Fraggle Rock

'Nayak' starts with two news headlines about movie star Arindham (Uttam Kumar). One headline states that Arindham got involved in a brawl and the other states his nomination for a prestigious award. While travelling to Delhi by train (in order to receive the award) he comes across various people including a young simple but modern journalist Aditi (Sharmila Tagore) to whom he confides his inner thoughts. In the process, the actor further discovers himself and his fear. Aditi too is moved as her prejudice against the cocky pompous movie star changes while she discovers the man behind the name.

Ray cleverly tells Arindham's story about how he made it to stardom, his sacrifice of his art, loss of friends leading to isolation, fear of failure, seeking comfort in alcohol, his inner conflict...He weaves it all into a screenplay that takes place during a train trip from Calcutta to Delhi. A lot of it is shown in flashback mode. The dream sequences are another example of fine writing and execution. We're also given a brief view of the corrupt world of cinema, how art is long lost and how it's become all about money, fame and name...very relevant and applicable to today's Indian film industry.

Uttan Kumar, being the biggest star in Bengali Cinema perfectly fits the part. One wonders how much of the character resembles Kumar in real life. Though Ray is known to cast Soumitra Chatterjee (who happened to be Kumar's arch rival) in most of his films, he made the correct decision by casting Kumar for I cannot imagine anyone else play the part. Sharmila Tagore is wonderful. The actress has an amazing presence and with her grace, simplicity and sincerity, she shines. 'Loved her scenes with Uttam.

Like most of Ray's powerful work, 'Nayak' is a rather less known but remarkable film. One of my favorites!

8 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
The back and forth journey of an actor from illusion to reality, 11 December 2006

Author: Nandini Gupta from India

Ray's 'Nayak' is undoubtedly one of the best films ever made in history of Indian cinema. The story about an actor, Arnidam Mukherji, who is hailed as some sort of a demigod in the country, unfolds during a train journey and is told through several interesting narrative techniques : His life is presented in the form of a disjunctive montage, several pieces of which he supplies himself - mainly through the candid interviews given to his co-passenger, a freelancing journalist and the archetypal "modern woman" Aditi, and through his dreams, which reveal his innermost fears and the ghosts of his past. To his fellow passengers, and to most of his fans and audience, he is a charming, larger than life superstar, and the twin reports of his receiving an award in Delhi and getting involved in a brawl in a club, invite the same amount of speculation and curiosity from them. Arindam the superstar and Arindam the man with a conscience are constantly at conflict. His awareness of the superficiality of an actor's life clash with his concerns about the box-office and of becoming a forgotten hero - a fate bestowed upon many of the actors he had known personally. He desperately needs a person who will listen, and in a drunken stupor he tries to tell Aditi the truth about the reported brawl and the deception of Promila, his co-actor and flame. Aditi doesn't want any explanations, but she understands his turmoil - her prejudice against the brash, cocky film star is formidably shaken as she glimpses the real man behind the actor - someone vulnerable, broken and anguished, who has become a puppet in the hands of the film industry and the "public" as he puts it. Life goes on as usual, despite both Arindam and Aditi achieving a kind of epiphany during the train journey. The film for me is remarkable not just because of its story or symbols or technical finesse, but because of the brilliant acting and dialogs. 'Nayak', if I'm not mistaken is Uttam Kumar's (incidentally a huge superstar himself) first ever film with Ray. The sensitivity with which he has portrayed the character, almost makes us believe that, this is really his own life story that is being played out before our eyes. One of the smartest and slickest Ray films ever, this one gets a 10 from me. A must watch.

9 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Another gem, 25 June 2007

Author: badar1981 from Pakistan

The complete experience can be summarized as "another master piece from a true master film director Satyajit Ray". It always remains a unique experience to watch in someone's past and especially into the hidden past. The movie tackles the very issue in the most effective of the ways. To carve you characters in the story is the most important part and great directors always take their time to do so and here Ray did it in style. He gives a very appropriate introduction to each. But what needs to be praised is… in doing so story did not come to halt… it keeps on moving and things become more clear with every passing movement.

The acting is very good. I know only actor in the movie before watching it… and that is of Shermila Tagore (because of her Hindi films). But really admires the acting of the main role played by Uttam Kumar. He is very natural, fluent and expressions complement his words in every scene. Especially the acting is priceless to watch in the scene in which he is telling Aditi about his insult by the one of his senior. A must watch for all those who appreciate good… excellent cinema.

8/10

7 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Brilliant acting by Uttam Kumar in a master piece from the master himself., 17 July 2001

Author: Nilanjan Banerjee from Texas, USA

The film has a beautiful script most aptly delineating a life of a matinee idol. Brilliantly performed by Uttam Kumar, originally the matinee idol of contemporary Bengal, this was probably the best role that he acted in. His glamorous screen presence in the entire movie is most impressive and is definitely the mainstay of the movie. The story was supposedly written, keeping his struggle to stardom and the tolls of stardom in mind. Perhaps one of the most important reasons that Uttam performed so well was that he could probably identify himself in the role. Once again, coming to the scripts, written by the maestro Satyajit Ray, himself was simply superb. Within a span of a train journey from Calcutta to Delhi, the entire life of a film star, with all its shades was most adeptly portrayed. With such a script and direction by Ray it is a pleasure to watch the movie. The performances by other actors are also commendable.

4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
Consortium of Greatness in 2 hours, 8 July 2010

Author: beerhug from India

I was around 14 years old when I first saw this masterpiece of Satayajit Ray. One very common thing between Ray and Kurosawa I noticed was introspection of perception.

A train journey allows a superstar to introspect his life and career which leaves him in shattered pieces. Uttam Kumar as Arindam was simply unbelievable and so was Shartmila Tagore as the reporter who was acting as a mirror (much needed) for Arindam to reflect.

This movie will give everyone a glimpse of the price paid to succeed. Success here is the Devil and greed here is the devil's advocate.... the price..........."SOUL"

A must watch if you are a movie lover....My Vote - 9/10

6 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
catch the two giants of 1960s Bengali cinema in one movie, 18 October 2005

Author: sd259 from Australia

Uttam Kumar is regarded the greatest star of Bengali Cinema (a MahaNayak). It is quite apparent that Ray's favourite actor was Soumitra Chatterjee. Nayak and Chiriakhana are the only two films Ray made with Uttam. It is an ironic film made at a time Uttam was at his peak of his star status like his character Arindam and this movie almost feels like a Ray's satirical tribute to Uttam - smooth professional that he was Uttam unperturbed gives a superb performance. Nayak is my personal favourite of Ray films and certainly the best of Uttam's films. Sadly, I have never been able to see Chiriakhana. has anyone seen this film? It is the only whodunit Ray filmed without Soumitra in the lead role. Wonder why Satyajit didn't continue with Uttam after this performance...

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
A Perfect Ten, 19 June 2008

Author: sbaindia from India

A movie at par with Citizen Kane and Rashomon and IMO even better than them in some ways. Impeccable direction and superb acting. Makes you wonder why these two - the actor and director not get together more often in Satyajit Roy films. The angst was so real it seems the guy is not acting any more - just telling his story as it is. The dream sequencewas outstanding as was the ending. The characterisation had on occasion skirted around the burlesque with the older actor in his first interaction with the protagonist but that made the scene all the more poignant. The underlying philosophy is not too deep but something that one can deeply empathise with. The greatness of this movie is how perfectly the story is told. There is an aura of dramatic tension throughout, not between the characters but within the protagonist himself. I would sincerely recommend this movie to anyone who loves what cinema is all about.

6 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Satyajit and Uttam - two genius together, 29 June 2004
Author: mantrani74 from Tokyo

Though Uttamkumar is not the favorite of the class audience as opposed to Saumitra Chatterjee, the favorite of Satyajit Ray himself, this movie is one of the two occassions where Uttam and Satyajit came together and the outcome is a masterpiece. To me, this is the best creation of Ray. Satyajit rightly chose one and only Uttam as the 'Nayak'.Undoubtedly, Uttam,whose movies are intimately woven to every bengali's life even after 24 years of his death, is the alltime silver screen idol of all generations of Bengali film lovers. Though Uttam didn't get the much blessings of the classy directors compared to his arch rival Soumitra, this is one of the few occassions where Uttam got the chance to prove his acting skill and explioted to the fullest extent.

The story starts when there are two news regarding Arindam, played by uttam, published in the news papers - one is the fighting in a night club and the other that he has been nominated for a prestigeus award. In a train journey to delhi, he reveals himself to a lady reporter played by Sharmila. It was a self digging in a form of informal interview. The movie shows the public life and the personal life of a celebrity and all within the time span of a train journey and the flashbacks.

Finally, whoever likes good movie and haven't seen it already, its should be a must-see one.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Great undiscovered film (I'm so glad), 25 February 2008

Author: crappydoo from New Zealand

I have never seen an Indian movie quite like Nayak. Ray has forayed into parallel story telling, like Kurasawa's Rashomon and into dream logic like Bunuel's The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. I would personally rate it above Bergman's The Magician which also dealt with a similar theme of an actor's reality and people's acceptance of him as a super human and their reluctance of considering him as a human being. Between the two of them, Nayak is more easy to understand whereas The Magician puts its characters in various shades of good and evil throughout its running time.

No such dramatics here and this movie is as good as it gets. I would rate it as one of his best movies amongst Pather Panchali and Charulata. The dream sequences were very well produced and were relevant to the storyline on a sub-conscious level.

The subtitling on the Angel DVD wasn't very well done and the dialogues sometimes whizz by without us being able to read them in time. For people who are familiar with Indian languages, it may not be such a big deal since several of the Bengali words can be understood by them; however for non-Indian speakers this may come across as irritating.

On a personal note, I am sometimes glad that not many people know about Ray because then I am able of recommending him to people who are in the know of the movie industry.

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