Question

What work did the 'office boy' do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?

Answer 1

Hint: Asokamitran's piece "Poets and Pancakes'' is an excerpt from his book "My Years with Boss." S.S. Vasan, the Boss, formed the Gemini Studios, which produced a number of films that had a profound impact on Indian culture. Asokamitran recalls his time working at Gemini Studios.

Complete answer:
We learn a lot about the film industry in the novel “Poets and Pancakes”, especially the Indian film industry. We get a behind-the-scenes look at how it works, as well as the post-independence beginnings of India.

The Gemini Studios' make-up department has an "office guy." He was in charge of a highly important task. On the day of the crowd filming, he was supposed to handle the crowd makeup. He would mix his paints in a large vessel and slap them on the crowd players to seal every pore on their faces for the crowd shot.

Years ago, he went to the studios in the hopes of becoming a famous actor, a top screenwriter, a director, or a lyricist. He was also a budding poet. However, he was dismayed that his talent was placed in a department reserved for barbers and perverts. As a result, the author was constantly praying for crowd shooting.

Note: Throughout this lesson, Asokamitran mentions Gemini Studios. He mentions 'Pancakes,' a popular make-up brand ordered in truckloads by Gemini Studios. According to him, the make-up team used a lot of make-up to turn them into obnoxious humans. The poet mocks the actors' attempts at acting and the blazing lighting.