Nayak (1966 film)

Nayak Bengali Hero released in English as The Hero and Nayak The Hero is a 1966 Indian Bengali drama film written and directed by Satyajit Ray. It was Rays second entirely original screenplay, after Kanchenjungha 1962. The story revolves around a matinee idol on a 24hour train journey from Kolkata to Delhi to receive a national award. However, he ends up revealing his mistakes, insecurities and regrets to a young journalist, who realises that behind all the glitter is a deeply lonely man. Her initial contempt for people like him turns into empathy, and she decides not to publish what he has revealed. His life journey is gradually revealed through seven flashbacks and two dreams during the train ride.

Arindam talks about Shankarda, his mentor, taking us back to his early youth. His selling out to films and giving up theatre against the wishes of his old teacher... His first days shoot, and he being snubbed by the successful actor Mukunda Lahiri... A few years later Mukunda Lahiri, now a forgotten actor after a series of flops, comes to him to beg for a small part. He rejects the ageing actor in revenge. His taking refuge in alcohol. And his refusing to help a friend in politics.Toward the end of the train journey, Arindam is drunk and feels a need to confide his wrongdoings. He asks the conductor to fetch Aditi. He begins to confess an affair with a married woman. But Aditi stops him. It was an affair with Promila, which ended in a brawl with her husband. He even contemplates suicide, but Aditi sends him to his cubicle before he can do anything about his plan. ........

Source: Wikipedia