The Philosopher's Stone (পরশ পাথর)

Dalhousie Square: Kolkata's Smile Gate.

It's five, offices are closing for the day...

and staff, relieved after a tiring day at work, are going home.

Several stories have been spun around

the typical middle-class Bengali.

Our story has to do with one such gentleman.

The name: Paresh Chandra Dutta.

Hello... aren't you going to the stadium?

The big game. It's a charity match.

Charity! What charity will we do?

You're right. Could I have a beedi, please?

What match at an age of 53? But you must!

- Poltu... - What is it?

Look what I've got for you. Let me see.

First recite that poem. Which one?

The one you recited yesterday.

"The yellow-green orangutan, flip flops in a brick-walled city"

"waiting for a stray miracle, advertisements for job vacancies."

Here are you. A marble for you.

A marble? I have many already. Good.

But this is an atom-bomb. Atombomb?

Bajori... What do you want? Bajori's gone out.

If I could have some tea...? He's gone to fetch teapowder.

Have patience. Why're you late? The trams weren't running.

And the traffic was choked because of the game...

I had to walk all the way...

what a bother!

"The yellow-green orangutan"

"flip flops in a brick-walled city"

"waiting for a stray miracle"

"advertisements for job vacancies."

What are you murmuring to yourself? Nothing

I hope it isn't insanity.

Any more developments? On what?

At the office, where else? I see.

Something ought to materialise soon. A meeting's about to be held.

Only meetings! I can sense the ominous.

How did this get wet? Not at all.

The things you did to your umbrella! You better get used to staying at home.

Hey Bhoja... make some tea for the master.

God Almighty!

- Uncle... - What's up, Poltu?

Wait... I'm coming.

Wait there.

Uncle, look at this. Let me see.

- Nice? - No.

This is what happened when I hit it against the atom-bomb you gave me.

- Fibbing, eh? - You want to see?

Here goes. I'll keep it here.

The magic stone!

Poltu!

I'm not giving it back!

Some spicy grams for me.

Now what do you have here? Give me this...

give me that and that...

if I could have that, as well as that...?

If you could tell me what you're looking for?

Poltu! Look at the goodies I've got for you!

What is it...?

A pistol? Yes, a pistol, chocolates...

marbles, toffees. All for you...

- only if you... - What?

- You guess. - The magic stone?

- Yes. - All right. It's a deal.

Here you are. Don't lose it!

That's enough. Go away. Pardon me...?

Gold! Gold!

What's wrong...? What happened?

Why're you crying...? What is the matter?

Speak... and what's this?

You aren't saying a word. Tell me what happened.

Speak up... what happened?

Listen... what's the current price of gold?

Why? Let's calculate... and sell all this.

You want to sell all this? Why not?

What'll we eat when you lose your job?

What if it isn't gold? What else is it, if not gold?

Hush... quiet!

The same colour, the same glitter.

Whatever you say, it can't be anything other than gold.

- Listen... - Yes?

Sit down. Why're you pacing up and down?

Sit down.

Go on. What's the price for 10 grams?

110 Rupees. - 110?!

How much would this fetch...? Look at me!

- 5000? - More

- 7000? - More

- 8000...? - Even more.

Why're you panicking? We haven't stolen it.

But people will still think we're thieves.

They think we're bad folks.

You're nuts. It's God's gift to us. There's nothing wrong with it.

Don't people win money in lotteries? Are they accused of crime?

Oh, you don't understand... you just don't.

This isn't a lottery. You just don't get it... this is not a lottery!

It's a gold-making stone!

Something not everyone comes across!

We have come across it. And why not? Quiet!

Let's forget what happened. O Lord...

forgive my sins...

All right. Return the stone. But sell this gold before you do that.

We'll go on a holy pilgrimage. 10,000 rupees should be enough.

And I always knew that we would have the money to make the pilgrimage.

My palm has been itching for the last few months.

Such pure gold?

It isn't the sort of stuff made nowadays, sir.

It's been passed on down the generations in my family

I mean, from my forefather's times.

I mean, my great grandfather's.

They were the real connoisseurs, you see.

Where to?

Let's get some fresh air first.

Today's a great day.

Go away. Give me a penny, sir...

Go away, I say... Please, sir... a penny!

We have assembled here today

to perform a sacred task.

To pay obeisances to the great son

of Bengal, India and the whole of

Asia... who has won fame and acclaim.

The great Paresh Chandra Dutta whose great sacrifice...

whose yeoman service to mankind...

Hey, Sardarji... stop here!

What are you looking at, mister? The ball.

No ball, it's a grenade. Of the mutiny.

A grenade of the mutiny...?

How much is it worth? What quantity do you want?

Maybe one or two.

Help yourself.

Today, we...

we today...

our social function comes to an end at this stage.

Let me now introduce our Chief Guest now.

Indeed, this gentleman

needs no introduction...

for he has been part of our lives.

A man who has made a contribution

in almost every field...

our chief guest...

Mr Paresh Chandra Dutta.

I am delighted...

to have witnessed the performance

of the artistes today.

I am very happy...

at the dazzling display of

the Bengali culture.

The Bengali culture is not something to be treated casually.

We must never forget it.

We must never ignore it. We must forever respect and follow it!

It gives me happiness to see that you are keeping it alive.

And thus, for all of you,

the children who performed

the songs and dance...

I have brought gold medals.

To the organisers of this function,

I shall first present the medals.

Please come here, Ratan... Come.

So Biswas...? What's new?

There are some cheques to sign.

I hope you're not facing any problems? I'm doing very well, thank you

I hope you're sleeping well? Oh yes. Sound sleep. For 7 hours.

That's wonderful. I was late last night...

catching a movie. That's good, too.

Your age is to have fun. At one time, I used to see all the plays...

I was so fond of them, I even did a bit of acting.

I saw almost all the plays.

- Really, sir...?! - Oh yes.

"Destiny! It's all destiny!"

"Born of what illusion? Male, female"

"what form that holds the world in awe?"

"Willful, ruthless, riding so carelessly roughshod over mortals and gods alike."

"Destiny! Where is it? If I can ever confront that Destiny"

"with my mace, I shall break it to pieces and rid this world of all woe."

The poet's Kalva.

Gone are those days, Priyatosh.

Anyway, phone Dr Barui to come and check my blood pressure

I can't get sleep in the nights.

May I say something, if you don't mind, sir?

You need to reduce your activities. How?

For instance, as I worked out,

you attended nine board meetings...

sponsored 13 charity shows, gave away prizes at 7 functions...

you were the Chief Guest at 26 functions...

and did the foundation-laying ceremony in three instances.

So much strain...? What can I do, Priyatosh?

They love me so much. But sir...

if you keep giving so many incentives, donations, for instance...

to an obscure organisation called the Society for Bengalis...

you give them 50 rupees...? Is it too much?

Make it 25 then. - 25...?!

- 10...? - Let's make it 5.

All right, but do give them. Do not deny them.

The elections are coming up. They'll stand up for me

I'm preparing your lecture, sir. I'll definitely give it by Monday.

Sir, you are invited to a party at Kriparam's.

What party? A tea-party?

No, cocktails. What did you say?

- Cocktails...? - Yes.

What do you mean I'm going...? Of course I'm going!