The Storyteller

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.)

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.

This movie is based on a short story by Satyajit Ray - Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro (Storyteller Tarini Uncle). Shot in the lanes of Calcutta and Ahmedabad by director Anant Mahadevan who has chosen actual surroundings and not green screens, thankfully.

Paresh Rawal plays a middle-class Bengali who has just retired from a publishing house. To keep himself occupied he takes up a job as a storyteller to a prosperous Gujarati cotton businessman (Adil Hussain). He's hired as a storyteller by the businessman to overcome his insomnia.

The story is wonderful as it is written by a master storyteller. Only Ray could have conceived a plot as innovative and intriguing as this.

If one reads the original short story one would hardly find enough material to make a full-length feature film out of it. Credit for this goes to the principal screenplay writer Kireet Khurana. It blends the magic of storytelling with humour and social insights making it a heartfelt tribute to Ray's legacy. It's a pause in time and a departure from the mundane, pacy lives we live.

Despite the positives I just can't understand our obsession for mimicking accents. Either get into the character with in-depth understanding of nuances, mannerisms and accent (like Irrfan Khan in The Namesake), else just speak in normal Hindi.

Why does Tarini keep dropping a few words in Bengali at times and otherwise speak in Hindi with his friends and family. Also Garodia chooses to speak a few words or phrases in Gujarati. But chats with his man Friday in Hindi, and addresses a gathering of Gujaratis in Hindi. Don't get me wrong, both Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain are terrific performers and I respect their talents. But this sticks out as a sore thumb despite having great actors.

"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.

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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