The Storyteller Review : Paresh Rawal shines in this witty tale of art versus ambition

Story: This adaptation of Satyajit Ray’s short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro follows a storyteller employed by a wealthy businessman struggling with insomnia to narrate bedtime stories to help him sleep. However, things take an unexpected turn when the businessman’s true intentions are revealed.

Review: Tarini Bandopadhyay (Paresh Rawal) is a gifted storyteller who has never written down his tales, fearing criticism and rejection. The eccentric socialist from Kolkata has held 75 jobs, switching every six months. After his farewell from Amrit Publication, Tarini responds to a peculiar newspaper ad. A business tycoon from Ahmedabad, Ratan Garodia (Adil Hussain), seeks a storyteller to narrate original bedtime stories after sleeping pills and counting sheep fail to cure his insomnia. Tarini relocates to Ahmedabad and begins a new journey. This story of commercialism versus artistry delves into themes like plagiarism, self-discovery, and overcoming self-doubt.

Co-written by Kireet Khurana and directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan (also the writer), the film brims with wit, the charming yet somnolent vibes of Kolkata and Ahmedabad, and strong performances. Garodia presents Tarini’s stories as his own in a local Gujarati magazine to impress his former love interest, Saraswati (Revathy), who values artistry over business. As Garodia remarks, “Saraswati ko Lakshmi pasand nahi.” When Tarini is introduced to her as Garodia’s business associate, he cleverly quips, “He makes cotton, I spin the yarn.”

The movie’s charm lies in its unhurried pace and aesthetic, though its pacing may not appeal to all viewers. While the stories of a hundred-year-old tree in the Aravali forests and a spy pigeon during World War II are intriguing, their on-screen depiction falls short of being truly captivating. The narrative keeps its central twist well-concealed until the end, delivering a gasp-worthy revelation.

Paresh Rawal excels as the maachh (fish) and Pujo (Durga Puja)-loving Bengali who seizes every opportunity to curse capitalism. One of his impactful lines on plagiarism is, “Nakal ke liye bhi akal chahiye” (You need intelligence even to copy something), as he outwits Garodia. Adil Hussain is equally compelling as the insecure businessman trying to pass himself off as an intellectual. Revathy, in her brief appearance, Jayesh More as Garodia’s house help Manikchand, and Tannishtha Chatterjee as the librarian Tarini befriends, also leave a strong impression.

While its leisurely pace and some story elements may not fully engage all viewers, the film’s unexpected twist and strong character portrayals make it a worthwhile watch, ensuring that the tale resonates long after the credits roll.