Short Story: An Astrologer’s Day by R K Narayan

This blog is written as a task assigned by Megha Trivedi ma'am  . Here is the blogs. 

How Faithful Is the Movie to the Original Short Story “An Astrologer’s Day”?

The short film adaptation of R.K. Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day”, directed by Sushant Bhat, is a highly faithful cinematic version of the original short story. It retains the central narrative, characters, setting, and twist ending, while adding visual and auditory elements to suit the film medium.

The short film adaptation of R.K. Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day”, directed by Sushant Bhat, remains highly faithful to the original short story in both content and tone. The film carefully preserves the central plot, where a street astrologer unexpectedly encounters the very man he once tried to murder, only to discover that the man has survived and remains unaware of the astrologer's identity. This twist, which is the heart of Narayan’s story, is handled with subtle suspense and dramatic pacing in the film. 

The characterization is equally accurate the astrologer appears as a shrewd and calculating man, blending performance and guesswork to survive in a bustling marketplace. The setting of the marketplace, filled with vibrant noises, dim lighting, and an air of mystery, reflects the story’s original description and adds authenticity to the scene. The encounter with Guru Nayak is filmed with emotional intensity, using close-up shots and suspenseful background music to heighten the drama of the moment. 

Even the final domestic scene, where the astrologer confesses the truth to his wife, mirrors the story’s ironic and quietly humorous ending. While the film introduces some cinematic elements such as sound design, facial expressions, and visual symbolism to enhance the experience, it never strays from the themes of fate, guilt, deception, and irony that define Narayan’s narrative. Overall, the adaptation is not only a faithful retelling but also a successful transformation of the short story into a compelling visual experience.

After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?

Yes, watching the movie adaptation of “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K. Narayan significantly deepened and slightly altered my perception of the short story, its characters, and key situations.

In the written text, the astrologer comes across as a clever, even slightly manipulative figure who uses his quick thinking to survive. While we understand his deception and guilt intellectually, the emotional weight behind his actions is not as vividly felt. However, the film adaptation adds visual and emotional depth to his character. His facial expressions—especially during the tense encounter with Guru Nayak—reveal fear, anxiety, and relief. These emotions make him appear more human and vulnerable, rather than just cunning.

Similarly, Guru Nayak, who seemed like a minor antagonist in the story, comes alive in the film as a man hardened by pain and searching for justice. His tension and bitterness are felt more directly in the cinematic version.

The marketplace setting, which is only briefly described in the story, becomes an active character in the film its noise, chaos, and flickering lights add to the astrologer’s world of illusion and survival. The ending, where the astrologer returns home to share a simple moment with his wife, felt warmer and more intimate on screen. It underscored the irony of his situation with a more bittersweet tone than I had sensed in the story.

In short, the movie enhanced the emotional texture of the story and helped me see the astrologer not just as a symbol of irony, but as a deeply flawed and relatable human being.

Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons

Yes, I definitely experienced aesthetic delight while watching the movie adaptation of “An Astrologer’s Day”. The moment that truly evoked this feeling was during the climactic encounter between the astrologer and Guru Nayak.

This scene was crafted with such tension and subtle emotion that it elevated the narrative beyond just storytelling. The slow pacing, the dim glow of the oil lamp, the focused camera angles on the astrologer's face, and the hesitant voice of Guru Nayak all combined to create a moment of cinematic beauty. What made it aesthetically rich was not just the suspense, but the fusion of dramatic irony with visual atmosphere knowing that the astrologer is facing the man he once believed he had killed, while outwardly maintaining calm, created a powerful emotional duality.

Another moment of aesthetic pleasure came at the end, when the astrologer returns home and calmly tells his wife the truth. The quiet domestic space, contrasted with the earlier crowded market, provided a sense of closure and poetic irony. This shift in mood from anxiety to peace was both satisfying and artistically meaningful.

Thus, the film’s visual storytelling, background music, and emotional contrast made several scenes not just enjoyable but aesthetically moving, especially for someone familiar with the literary layers of the story.

Certainly! Below are detailed and thoughtful responses to each of your reflective questions about An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan. These can be used in an assignment, group discussion, or class activity related to literature and film adaptation:

 Does the screening of the movie help you in better understanding of the short story?

Yes, the screening of a movie based on An Astrologer’s Day significantly enhances the understanding of the short story. R. K. Narayan’s narrative is rich in subtle irony, visual imagery, and atmospheric tension, which may not be fully realized through text alone. The visual medium brings to life:

• The vibrant marketplace, complete with dim lighting, smoky surroundings, and bustling activity, helps the viewer understand the deceptive setting the astrologer operates in.

• The expressions and body language of characters, especially the astrologer’s nervous glances or Guru Nayak’s suspicious demeanor, make the tension more palpable.

• The twist ending becomes more impactful when dramatized, especially through cinematic techniques like flashbacks, lighting changes, and close-up shots, which can foreshadow or emphasize the revelation.

Thus, the film version makes the hidden layers of deception, identity, and irony more accessible and emotionally engaging for viewers.

 Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?

Yes, the most perfect moment in the story is when the astrologer meets his unsuspecting victim, Guru Nayak, and uses his sharp instincts and street-smarts to read the man’s past. This scene is compelling because:

• It is dramatic and ironic—the astrologer is not truly gifted with divine insight, but he unknowingly faces the man he once attempted to kill.

• The moment when he says “you were left for dead” is laced with tension and cleverness, creating a suspenseful turning point.

• The astrologer's ability to manipulate the situation without revealing his own identity showcases Narayan’s skill in creating morally ambiguous characters.

This scene encapsulates the core of the story—fate versus free will, truth versus illusion, and clever survival in a harsh world.

 If you were the director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K. Narayan?

If I were the director remaking the film adaptation of An Astrologer’s Day, I would make the following creative changes to enhance the emotional depth and thematic richness:

Add a Flashback Sequence

• Include a brief flashback showing the astrologer's early life, the fight with Guru Nayak, and his escape from the village.

• This will give more psychological insight into the astrologer’s guilt and fear.

Build the Marketplace Atmosphere More Deeply

• Extend the opening scene to show the rituals and preparations of the astrologer—putting on the sacred ash, lighting lamps, setting up his space—highlighting how he performs the role rather than lives it.

Explore the Astrologer's Internal Conflict

• Add soliloquy-style voiceover narration or scenes where the astrologer reflects on his past and present.

• This would provide a philosophical layer, emphasizing the themes of karma, deception, and self-preservation.

Emphasize the Ending with Symbolism

• After Guru Nayak leaves, show the astrologer washing off his ash and turban, symbolizing the temporary relief and release from guilt.

• Use visual motifs like fading light or a broken lamp to represent the astrologer’s confrontation with fate.

Conclusion

Through film, stories like An Astrologer’s Day transcend the written word and engage multiple senses—sight, sound, and emotion—allowing deeper immersion in character and context. While R. K. Narayan’s prose is subtle and witty, a cinematic adaptation, especially with thoughtful changes, can bring to life the hidden fears, moral dilemmas, and ironic twists that define the story.