The Big City (1963)

Madhavi Mukherjee: Arati Mazumder

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Arati : You wouldn't recognize me on the job.

  Subrata Mazumdar : What about at home? Would I recognize you at home?

  Arati : You don't recognize me? Tell me honestly.

  [Subrata shakes his head no] 

  Arati : Why not?

  Subrata Mazumdar : It all feels a bit unfamiliar. It feels a bit...

  Arati : What about this?

  [points at her cheek] 

  Arati : You don't recognize my mole? I'm still the same housewife.

• Bani : What kind of a job?

  Arati : Nothing's definite yet.

  Bani : I've got it. Film star! You'd be perfect. Dark glasses, lots of red lipstick, and 100,000 rupees per picture. And if it's a Hindi film, we'll all fly to Bombay.

• Subrata Mazumdar : If you were a bit less attractive, I might have wanted you to get a job. If a girl like you worked in an office, all the male employees' output would drop. There's a saying in English: A woman's place is in the home.

  Arati : You believe that?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Yes. I'm very conservative, like my father. A housewife should stay in her house and not wander about.

• Arati : Do you write our last name in English with a J or a Z?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Z. Z - the first letter in zoo.

  Pintu : Who's going to the zoo?

• Arati : I'm worried about one thing.

  Subrata Mazumdar : What?

  Arati : The girls I saw the day of the interview all looked so fashionable. So tip-top. How can I go to work in my tattered slippers?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Give me a list of what you need to look fashionable. I'll get an advance from the office.

• Arati : What if they call me in for an interview?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Then you go.

  Arati : Yes, but...

  Subrata Mazumdar : But what?

  Arati : What do I say here at home?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Say you're going to your father's house. It wouldn't be too far off. A boss is like a father. Both are providers.

• Arati : I'll sign it?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Why not?

  Arati : Me?

  Subrata Mazumdar : If you don't sign it, who will? Lady Mountbatten?

• Arati : But, I...

  Himangshu Mukherjee : Mrs. Mazumdar, I don't like the word "but." It's a very ugly word.

• Arati : You really don't want me - to work?

  Subrata Mazumdar : No, I don't. And Baba doesn't. Ma doesn't. Even he doesn't. You'd rather go on making so many others unhappy?

  Arati : It's not the others that concern me. What matters is what you want.

• Himangshu Mukherjee : Mrs. Mazumdar, you are too impulsive, and impulsiveness can lead to trouble.

  Arati : I know and I apologize.

• Arati : Giving you that sari was a mistake. You're still just a child.

  Bani : Then tell me what I should do.

  Arati : Will you do what I say? The potatoes, eggplants, and pumpkin are chopped and ready in the kitchen. Add the spices and make a curry. Go on.

  Bani : I can make the curry?

  Arati : But I won't help. Ma won't help. No one will help.

• Arati : I'm going.

  Subrata Mazumdar : Not going to put on your lipstick?

• Arati : Shall I tell you some good news?

  Subrata Mazumdar : Good news?

  Arati : I got a 50-rupee raise.

  Subrata Mazumdar : That's great. The wife's a hero, the husband's a zero.

• Arati : Good heavens! How are you now, Baba?

  Priyogopal (Subrata's father) : I've sinned too much to die just yet.

• Arati : Such a big city. So many different jobs. Surely one of us can find a job.