Patol Babu was a multi-faceted character. He accepted whatever life offered to him. He had his moments of joy and peace when he was in Kanchrapara. He was in great demand as a stage actor. He played a leading role in ‘jatras’, theatricals and local plays. People used to buy tickets only to see him. Patol was lucky to get a clerical job with Hudson and Berkley with enhanced pay. However, after nine years of service he was retrenched due to the war. Then he started his struggles to earn a living. He opened a variety store but failed. He got a job in a Bengali firm but left it due to the high handedness of the boss. For ten years he remained an insurance agent. He did everything to earn a living but didn’t succeed in improving his lot.
Patol Babu was a fighter. He didn’t succeed but never gave in. He accepted life as it unfolded before him. At the age of 52, his neighbour Nishikanto Ghosh brought an offer of acting in a film. Patol Babu accepted to do a small role of a short-tempered pedestrian. He was disgusted to know that he was to utter only one word “Oh!” in the scene. But he remembered the priceless words of his guru Pakrashi. He realised that a true actor can leave his mark even in a small role if he performs it with perfection and dedication.
Patol Babu was an idealist and perfectionist. Just to utter a mono-syllabic word he made endless attempts to give the best effect. His performance was flawless and perfect. He was satisfied and left the place without being paid. He needed money badly. But what was money when measured against his intense satisfaction he had in doing his small job with perfection and dedication?
