This task is assigned by Megha ma'am.
An astrologer's day by R.K.Narayan.
The Hindi short film remains fairly faithful to the core plot and themes of R.K. Narayan’s story. The central twist — where the astrologer unknowingly meets the man he once tried to kill — is preserved. However, the film adds some cinematic elements like background music, extended dialogues, and visual expressions to make it more engaging for the audience. The atmosphere of the market, the mystical setting, and the astrologer's clever manipulation of his client’s emotions are well represented, though some details and dialogues are modernized or dramatized slightly for screen appeal.
2. After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?
Yes, watching the movie adds a visual and emotional depth to the story. While reading, the astrologer may seem like a clever fraudster. But in the movie, through facial expressions, lighting, and background music, we also sense his internal fear, past trauma, and guilt, which brings more humanity to his character. The story feels more tense and suspenseful when watched rather than read. The film makes us reflect not only on deception but also on survival and destiny.
3. Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?
Yes, there is a definite aesthetic delight in the film — especially during the climactic moment when the astrologer realizes who the stranger is. The lighting subtly changes, the background sound grows intense, and the astrologer’s expression shifts from confidence to shock and alertness. This moment delivers a perfect blend of suspense, irony, and poetic justice, making it both intellectually satisfying and visually compelling.
4. Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?
Absolutely. The movie helps bring out hidden emotions, mood, and tone that are harder to grasp through text alone. It allows viewers to see the expressions, body language, and market setting, which deepens the understanding of the astrologer’s world and the tension in the plot. It also helps those who may struggle with English literature to engage with the story visually and emotionally, reinforcing key elements like irony, fate, and character deception.
5.Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?
Yes, the moment when the astrologer tells the stranger, “You were stabbed and pushed into a well,” is perfect. It is the turning point of the story — packed with drama and irony. The astrologer, once living in fear, suddenly holds all the power. In both the story and the film, this scene perfectly blends tension, irony, and poetic closure, showing how the past unexpectedly returns.
6. 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”?
If I were the director, I would:
Add a short flashback showing the astrologer’s village life and the moment of the violent incident — to give viewers a stronger emotional connection.
Include voice-over narration by the astrologer to reflect his inner thoughts and guilt.
Use colour grading to show the contrast between the fake mysticism of his present life (vibrant, noisy market) and the dark tones of his past.
End the film with a symbolic shot, such as the astrologer looking into the stars, perhaps with a hint of fear or relief, to emphasize the ongoing psychological burden he carries — adding depth beyond the story's ironic closure.
References:
Pocket Films. “An Astrologer’s Day - Hindi Short Film.” YouTube, 17 June 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkfrjYFQozA.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "R.K. Narayan". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 May. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/R-K-Narayan. Accessed 5 July 2025.
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