BOTTOM LINE
Relatable, Gentle, Masala-Free
PLATFORM
Disney+ Hotstar
Run Time
Approx. 1 hour 52 minutes.
What Is the Film About?
Tarini Bandyopadhyay, a widowed elderly Bengali man with a son, has long stints at many publishing houses, but never takes it upon himself to be an author, despite being a gifted communicator and storyteller. After his retirement, he’s hired by an Ahmedabad-based businessman Ratan Garodia, suffering from chronic insomnia, to tell stories in the hope of finding sleep.
Performances
Paresh Rawal being cast as a Bengali in a story that has an equally significant Gujarati character is surprising on many levels but he delivers the goods effortlessly, approaching Tarini with an empathy that’s hard to dismiss. Adil Hussain’s style as an actor may be contrasting with Paresh’s, but the nuanced portrayal of an ageing man stuck in the past leaves a lasting impression.
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Revathi – in an extended appearance as Saraswathi – doesn’t go unnoticed either. Despite the brief screen time, using evocative expressions and subtle body language to mirror her thoughts. Tannishtha Chatterjee (another unconventional casting choice) plays Suzy with an attractive poise and elegance, while Anindita Bose and Jayesh More too make a mark.
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Analysis
The very versatile Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, who’s carved his niche as a filmmaker, actor, and theatre person across languages and mediums, wields the megaphone again with The Storyteller. This cheeky drama celebrates the power of storytelling with a riveting karmic twist. The intriguing tale about tales is crafted with gentleness and an assurance that draws you in.
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The film has a witty yet profound premise. It unfolds as a conversational drama about a wealthy Gujarati businessman, Ratan, who ropes in a Bengali storyteller, Tarini, to put him to sleep with stories. The basic seed idea reminds you of the backstory surrounding the Bhagavatam, where king Parikshit seeks the counsel of a sage and listens to his stories to undo a curse.
Ratan and Tarini reluctantly begin their association but the former is spellbound by his storytelling capabilities. Despite his captivating tales, Tarini struggles to put Ratni to sleep. Days pass by and while the duo forge their bond over stories, Tarini hits it off with a librarian, finds an ally in a cat, discreetly eating fish with the help of Ratan’s servant Manik
Over time, Ratan even discusses his ex Saraswati, whom he wants to woo again. A shocking revelation soon turns Tarini’s life upside down and he settles scores with through a medium he’s best at – stories. The film works as an intimate, witty portrait of two contrasting, flawed men who make questionable choices but haunt you long after the viewing.
The conversations are simple and yet striking – both the pivotal characters express themselves in a few words that capture the essence of their personalities effectively. One such line describing their association as Tarini puts it – ‘He trades with cotton and I spin yarns.’ The Storyteller builds its world organically with a warmth you miss from cinema lately.
The tale plays with unquestionable stereotypes around Bengalis – with references to Tagore, Rabindra Sangeet, fish and Durga Pujo – but they don’t diminish the charm around the ambassador-riding Tarini. Similarly with the Gujaratis, there’s a discussion around vegetarianism and their knack for turning everything into a business opportunity. The cliches, however, feel harmless after a point.
Beyond the men, sleep and tales – the film also portrays two unique man-woman relationships, Ratan-Saraswati and Tarini-Suzy. While Ratan continues to woo Saraswati after many years of separation, Tarini and Suzy share a platonic relationship, not expecting much from one another. The climax, where Tarini buys fish for a special ‘someone’ is the icing on the cake.
With plot turns that consistently surprise, The Storyteller is akin to a warm cup of ginger tea with a long-lost friend on a wintery evening. It’s refreshing, relatable, and gentle without trying too hard to impress.
Music and Other Departments?
Hriju Roy’s music is a strong pillar of the narrative – not rushing in too much and yet creating a profound impact. The soothing background score and the heartfelt numbers are so easy on the ears. Alphonse Roy’s music strikes a fine balance between two diverse cultures with terrific visual flair. The free-flowing screenplay by Kireet Khurana is an asset to the film. The runtime and leisurely pacing contribute to its appeal.
Highlights?
Unique story that takes captivating turns
Narrated with warmth and simplicity
Superb performances
Drawbacks?
Relies on stereotypes to establish characters
A few convenient cinematic liberties
Ratan-Saraswathi’s segment could’ve done with more elaboration
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Certainly, if you have a taste for refreshing indie films, away from the chaos of masala potboilers
The Storyteller Movie Review by M9