The Storyteller

"The only solutions that are ever worth anything are the solutions that people find themselves"- Satyajit Ray.

The Storyteller (2025) is a thoughtfully made film inspired by Satyajit Ray's short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. It brings to life the fascinating character of Tarini Khuro, an eccentric and sharp-witted storyteller created by Ray.

Directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, the film features a stellar cast, including Paresh Rawal, Adil Hussain, Tannishtha Chatterjee, and Revathi. Staying true to Ray's signature style, it blends humor, social insight, and the magic of storytelling, making it a heartfelt tribute to his legacy.

Paresh Rawal delivers a brilliant performance as Tarini Khuro, effortlessly bringing charm and depth to the character. Adil Hussain also does a commendable job, adding weight to the narrative, while Revathi's cameo brings an extra touch of magic to the film. Abhinandan to the entire cast for their outstanding performances!

Ray's Tarini Khuro stories were known for their mix of mystery, wit, and intellect, and The Storyteller does a commendable job of capturing that spirit on screen.

"Good artists copy, great artists steal!" But what happens when a plagiarist meets his match? "Nakkal main bhi Akkal chahiye" (Even a copycat needs brains :-)) takes center stage in this gripping tale of storytelling.

Based on Satyajit Ray's iconic story 'Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro', the film masterfully weaves a narrative around Tarini Bandhopadhay, a retired storyteller and Ratan Garodia, a businessman-turned-storywriter struggling with insomnia. As Tarini spins his bedtime stories, essential questions about ownership and authorship arise.

Paresh Rawal shines as the charismatic storyteller, while Adil Hussain brings depth and nuance to his character. Their undeniable chemistry elevates the film to new heights. While the pacing may be slow and some sequences repetitive, the movie's offbeat charm and thought-provoking themes make it a compelling watch. As the story unfolds, as I did, you too may find questioning your stance on plagiarism and empathizing with the plagiarist.

Masterfully directed by Ananth Mahadevan. With outstanding performances and a gripping narrative, it is a great watch.

The Storyteller is a heartfelt ode to storytelling, earning a 7.5/10 for its charm and performances, though its slow pace may not grip everyone.

Adapted from Satyajit Ray's Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro, this Hindi drama follows Tarini (Paresh Rawal), a Kolkata storyteller hired by insomniac businessman Ratan Garodia (Adil Hussain) to narrate bedtime tales.

The story weaves a clash of artistry versus commercialism, with a clever twist exposing plagiarism and self-discovery. Ananth Mahadevan's direction captures Kolkata and Ahmedabad's soul, with Alphonse Roy's cinematography painting vivid locales. The script, by Kireet Khurana, sparkles with wit but meanders, stretching a lean narrative with an unhurried pace that may test some viewers.

Rawal is magnetic, embodying Tarini's eccentric charm, while Hussain's nuanced Garodia balances insecurity and ambition. Revathy and Tannishtha Chatterjee shine in brief roles, though some subplots feel underexplored. The evocative score, weaving Tagore's melodies, elevates the mood.

The Storyteller is a poignant, well-acted tribute to Ray, best for patient cinephiles craving thoughtful drama, but a tighter edit could've pushed it higher.

Anwar Says: Bengal is land of literary genius and this movie is based on short story of one of them Satyajit Ray -Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. What a masterpiece from the pen of Ray , witty with an unexpected twist and shot on the original lanes of Calcutta and Ahmedabad. Thanks to director Anant Mahadevan who has chosen the original surroundings and not with the green curtains.

For the character of Tarini Babu , there couldn't be a better choice than Paresh Rawal. His obsession for fish and Pujo and smoking a non-filter hand made cigarette looks so real. Adil Hussain as Gujju cotton tycoon hiring a storyteller to solve his insomnia can be conceived only by Ray. His calm and composed reactions, even after the twist is a treat to watch. Revathi has nothing much to do. Editing is superb and you just cannot miss even a single frame, even after a slow pace.

Please find time to watch this movie, a soothing experience after much of crime and violence. You will understand the flavour of meaningful cinema.

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There's a cover of artificiality in The Storyteller as it starts to narrate the story of a retired serviceman's (Paresh Rawal) retirement journey as he moves from Kolkata to Ahmedabad and takes up a job. But all that dissolves away as the story dives into its crux, introducing a rather novel (though, not exactly, as this is an adaptation) conflict on film. It's something that I have not seen before, so naturally it worked for me, albeit less than what succeeds it. The film is centered on Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain's effortless performances, also helped by Revathy and Tannishtha Chatterjee. By the end of it, I sat there amazed. This is a good film.

(Watched at the 2022 International Film Festival of India in Goa.)