The Storyteller

If one reads Satyajit Ray's short story "Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro (Storyteller Tarini Uncle)" one would hardly find enough material to make a feature-length film out of it. There are other Tarini stories of course, but Ananth Mahadevan's "The Storyteller" is based only on the aforementioned one. Hence, the makers have had to add stuff, drag out the narrative, build upon the characters and feed in underlying themes.

Casting Paresh Rawal as a Bengali was nothing short of a blunder. And it felt like he wasn't given much to base his character off of - the worst thing that can happen to a Ray adaptation. Adil Hussain as the Gujarati businessman Garodia too seemed out of it. Additional supporting characters have been sprinkled in generously but most of them didn't seem to add much to the narrative. I failed to understand the dynamics between Tarini and the librarian Suzie (Tannishtha Chatterjee - awfully miscast). Only Revathi somehow makes her mark despite her limited screen time.

Clichés have been added in poor taste (two things need to be mentioned here: 1) Tarini was fine with having Gujarati food at his employer's residence in the original story, 2) The depiction of Durga Puja in the film is the worst I've ever seen). Had expected some good stories (either original or adapted from Ray's other works) presented in animated form as Tarini attempts to put his employer to sleep - got a couple of poorly "spun" headless/tailless ideas instead. The overall pacing is painfully drab, with more focus on the mundane and minimal efforts to make things interesting for the viewer. Even the conflict and the resolution seemed lacklustre. Tarini's ultimate self-discovery after overcoming self-doubt felt like a consolation prize for sitting through the film.

Pros? A few witty lines here and there and the closing scene. The music too, I guess - Tagore and Ray never fail.

"The Storyteller" is a prime example of how bad filmmakers ruin good stories despite having great actors on board. Let's just leave it at that.

Those unfamiliar with Bengali culture, who haven't read the original story or heard it on "Sunday Suspense" (Mirchi Bangla), might enjoy it. But for someone like me, born and raised in West Bengal, deeply connected to Bengali culture, it's disappointing.

The extreme typecasting and stereotyping of Bengalis, along with the complete distortion of the iconic "Tarini Khuro" character, make it unwatchable. Tarini Khuro was originally an unmarried man who spent his younger years traveling across India and working in countless jobs. In retirement, he preferred the company of children over people his own age, sharing his adventures as stories. But here, they turned him into a married man with kids, showing him as a bit lonely and disconnected from his children, totally contradicting the original essence of the character.

The portrayal of Bengalis was equally frustrating, cutting "sandesh" instead of cake for a birthday, haggling over "ilish maach" prices, and that horribly fake Bengali accent were just unbearable. Paresh Rawal is a phenomenal actor, and I deeply respect his talent, but this role demanded a Bengali actor. Someone like Sabyasachi Chakraborty or Saswata Chatterjee would have done full justice to the character.

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.)

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.

"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.