Roy, Soumendu (Cinematographer), Ghare Baire, 1985 | Photographic Still

Scene Description After the schoolmaster leaves, Sandip's reaction is characteristically self-centred : "I came here to make speeches, not to listen to them." When Nikhil expresses his concern for the welfare of the poor Muslim traders in the district, Sandip again asserts his uncompromising stance: "If they obstruct me, I will not accept that." The schoolmaster is right; Sandip does not act in the interests of the people, but rather in what he determines their interests ou8ght to be. This is made plenty clear in his arrangement with the estate's manager, to intimidate small-traders, to burn the silos, and sink the cargo boats that bring foreign goods by bribing local strongmen, all committed under the slogan 'Bande Mataram'. And after the wanton violence that will likely cause communal riots, Sandip will have to flee. Anything besides his personal goal is expendable to him.(17/39)