Chapter 4. What is Wrong with Indian Films | BSEB 10 English Solution

Chapter 4. What is Wrong with Indian Films by Satyajit Ray – Complete Solutions (BSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 / Panorama)

Looking for easy and complete solutions of “What is Wrong with Indian Films” by Satyajit Ray for Bihar Board Class 10 English? This chapter from the Panorama textbook is a critical essay on the problems of Indian cinema. Here you will find every question answered in simple language – discussion, true/false, sentence completion, short answers, long answers, group discussion, composition, word study, grammar (adverb clause of condition), activities and translation. All exercises from A to G are covered without skipping anything so you can prepare perfectly for your exam.

About the Chapter

Satyajit Ray (born 2 May 1921) was a world-famous Indian film director. He is best known for films like Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Charulata and Shatranj Ke Khilari. In this essay (taken from his book Our Films, Their Films), Ray examines the weaknesses of Indian films – lack of originality, blind copying of Hollywood, weak stories, and absence of a unique Indian style.

A. Work in small groups and discuss the following

1. Have you seen any film recently?

Answer: (Sample answer) Yes, I recently saw the film 3 Idiots.

2. Tell the name of any film which you like most. Point out its salient features.

Answer: My favourite film is 3 Idiots.

Salient features:

• It has a strong and meaningful story about education and friendship.
• Excellent acting by Aamir Khan and others.
• Good humour mixed with serious messages.
• Beautiful songs and realistic presentation of college life.

B.1.1. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statement

• 1. The Cinema commands the respect accorded to any other form of creative expression. T
• 2. The Cinema doesn’t combine the cold logic of science. F
• 3. Film production in India is quantitatively second only to Hollywood. T
• 4. India has achieved what other countries have achieved. F
• 5. Indian music is largely improvisational. T

B.1.2. Study the lesson carefully and complete the following sentences on the basis of your reading

1. By the twenties it had reached the status of big business.
2. Why were our films not shown abroad?
3. The technicians will blame the tools.
4. The first feature was shot in 1913.
5. The analogy with music failed in our case.

B.1.3. Answer the following questions very briefly

1. Who has written this essay?

Answer: Satyajit Ray has written this essay.

2. Which is the most potent and versatile art form?

Answer: Cinema is the most potent and versatile art form.

3. Were Indian films shown abroad a few decades ago?

Answer: No, Indian films were not shown abroad a few decades ago.

4. When was the first short film produced?

Answer: The first short film was produced in 1907.

B.2.1. Complete the following sentences on the basis of the unit you have studied

1. Stories have been written based on Hollywood success.
2. It should be realised that the average American film is a bad model.
3. After all, we do possess the primary tools of film making.
4. The majority of our films are replete with ‘visual dissonances’.
5. But the truly Indian film should steer clear of such inconsistencies.
6. There have been rare glimpses of an enlightened approach in a handful of recent films.

B.2.2. Answer the following questions briefly

1. Have average American films been a bad model? Give one reason.

Answer: Yes, because they depict a way of life that is completely different from ours.

2. Mention one thing/feature which Indian films need?

Answer: Indian films need more imagination, more integrity, and a unique Indian style (or idiom).

3. Do Indian film makers possess the primary tools of film making?

Answer: Yes, they do possess the primary tools of film making.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

1. “What our cinema needs above everything else is a style, an idiom, a sort of iconography of cinema, which would be uniquely and recognisably Indian.” How far this applies to the Indian cinema today? Discuss.

Answer: This statement is still true today. Although Indian cinema has improved a lot with better technology and some good parallel films, most commercial films still copy Hollywood or use the same formula of songs, fights and melodrama. Very few films show a truly original Indian style that reflects our culture, habits, speech and life. Directors like Satyajit Ray showed the way, but mainstream cinema still needs a unique Indian identity.

2. Should cinema be looked upon as a form of creative expression? Give reasons.

Answer: Yes, cinema should be looked upon as a form of creative expression.

Reasons:

• It combines poetry, music, painting, drama, architecture and science.
• It can express deep human emotions and ideas.
• Like other arts, it can influence society and create awareness.
• Great films are works of art that stay in people’s minds for a long time.

3. Do you think that Indian films have certain basic weaknesses? Illustrate your answer, citing examples from the films you have seen.

Answer: Yes, Indian films have some basic weaknesses:

• Many films have weak and copied stories.
• Too much importance is given to songs and dances even when they do not fit the story.
• Action and melodrama are preferred over realistic presentation.
• Example: Many commercial films still follow the same formula of hero-villain fights and item songs instead of focusing on a strong story.

4. What is the most dominant influence on the Indian films?

Answer: The most dominant influence on Indian films is Hollywood (American cinema).

5. What aspects of the American films do our films imitate? Is it justified in our context?

Answer: Our films imitate stories, style, technical polish, jazz music, and glamorous way of life from American films.

It is not justified because American life is very different from Indian life. Blind copying creates “visual dissonances” and prevents the growth of a true Indian cinema.

C.2. Group Discussion

1. “Television programmes do a lot of harm to students.”

Points for Discussion:
Yes, excessive watching of TV wastes study time, reduces concentration, and sometimes shows violence or wrong values. However, educational programmes can also help students.

2. The rising incidents of crime are the offshoot of violent scenes on Indian celluloid.

Points for Discussion:
Violent scenes in films can influence young minds and increase aggression. Films should show less unnecessary violence and more positive values.

C.3. Composition

1. Letter Writing

Prompt: Write a letter to the Director of Doordarshan requesting him to give you an opportunity to participate in the weekly T.V. Programme which interests you very much. Mention why you find yourself suitable for such a programme.

Exam Hall
Patna
28 August 2026

To
The Director
Doordarshan
Patna

Subject: Request for opportunity to participate in a weekly T.V. Programme

Respected Sir,

I am a student of Class 10 and a regular viewer of Doordarshan. I am very interested in the weekly programme on youth and education. I have good communication skills, knowledge of current affairs and experience in school debates and cultural programmes.

I request you to give me a chance to participate in the programme. I am confident that I can contribute positively.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
(Your Name)

2. Paragraph: Impression of a Hindi Film

Impression of the Film Dangal

I recently saw the film Dangal. It is based on the true story of a wrestler and his daughters. The film is very inspiring. It shows hard work, determination and the power of women. The acting of Aamir Khan is excellent. The film teaches us that girls can achieve anything if given proper support. I liked it very much.

D. Word Study

D.1. Dictionary Use

Ex.1. Correct the spelling of the following words:

versatile

inevitable

potential

replete

phenomena

Ex.2. Frame your own sentences using the following words:

creation: The creation of a good film needs hard work.

potential: India has great potential in cinema.

solely: Success does not depend solely on luck.

queer: He has a queer habit of talking to himself.

gloss: The film has a lot of gloss but little substance.

adequate: We do not have adequate planning in film making.

incredible: It is incredible that such a small budget film became a hit.

D.2. Match Column A with Column B

Column A	Column B (Correct Meaning)
conferred	given (degree etc.)
architecture	art and science of building
indispensable	essential
evolution	process of developing
gloss	smooth bright surface
iconography	art of painting (or visual symbols)

D.3. Phrases from the Text – Sentences

“second only to” → India is second only to Hollywood in film production.

“face the truth” → We must face the truth about our weaknesses.

“steer clear of” → We should steer clear of bad habits.

“replete with” → The book is replete with useful information.

“keep his eyes open” → A good student should keep his eyes open to new ideas.

E. Grammar (Adverb Clause of Condition)

Ex.1.1 Make five sentences using unless, provided, in case, so long as

1. You will not pass unless you work hard.
2. I shall help you provided you tell the truth.
3. In case it rains, we shall stay at home.
4. You can stay here so long as you remain quiet.
5. He will succeed unless he becomes careless.

Ex.1.2 Fill in the blanks with “should” or “Ought to”

1. We ought to help our neighbours.
2. He should speak the truth.
3. Everybody ought to trust his friends.
4. She should read this novel.
5. You ought to work for the welfare of the country.

Ex.1.3 & Ex.1.4: Sentences with ‘ought to’ and ‘should’

Ought to:

1. We ought to respect our parents.
2. You ought to finish your homework.
3. Students ought to be regular in class.
4. We ought to protect the environment.
5. He ought to apologise for his mistake.

Should:

1. You should go to school regularly.
2. We should help the poor.
3. She should take rest.
4. They should obey the traffic rules.
5. I should study hard for the exam.

Frame questions from the text (lines 6-15):

• When was the first short film produced?
• When was the first feature film produced?
• What status had film production reached by the twenties?
• Why are our films not shown abroad?
• What do the producers say about the mass?

F. Activities

1. Prepare a list of such actors who have been given ‘Dada Saheb Phalke’ award.

Prominent Awardees: Devika Rani, Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Satyajit Ray, Dadasaheb Phalke awardees list.

2. Prepare a list of such Indian films which give lessons of integrity, patriotism and examples of human rights.

Notable Films: Gandhi, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, Article 15, Pink, Swades, Chak De! India.

G. Translation (Translate into Hindi)

Accurate English-to-Hindi translations for textbook sentences:

• 1. India took up film production surprisingly early. → भारत ने फिल्म निर्माण आश्चर्यजनक रूप से जल्दी शुरू कर दिया।
• 2. Why were our films not shown abroad? → हमारी फिल्में विदेश में क्यों नहीं दिखाई जाती थीं?
• 3. Let us face the truth. → आइए हम सत्य का सामना करें।
• 4. The technician will blame the tools. → तकनीशियन औजारों को दोष देगा।
• 5. It should be realised that the average American film is a bad model. → यह समझा जाना चाहिए कि औसत अमेरिकी फिल्म एक बुरा मॉडल है।
• 6. What does our cinema need? → हमारे सिनेमा को क्या चाहिए?
• 7. Let him do so. → उसे ऐसा करने दो।
• 8. He has only to keep his eyes open. → उसे बस अपनी आँखें खुली रखनी हैं।

End of Complete Solutions • All the best for your Bihar Board Class 10 English exam!