The Storyteller comes to life with Paresh Rawal's masterful performance turning out as a clash between artistry and commercialism, writes ABHI SINGHAL
He sells cotton; I spin yarns - The dialogue made me start my sayings from this as it showed a powerful impact of brilliant acting by the protagonists.
The Storyteller streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar is an adaptation of Satyajit Ray's short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. The story follows a storyteller hired by a wealthy businessman suffering from insomnia to narrate bedtime tales so that the businessman can sleep peacefully.
Set with the backdrop and vibes of Kolkata and Ahemdabad, with the essence of Bengali language in each line, The Storyteller will take you back to the old times of Satyajit Ray and his classics. The movie is made with all of today's technology but still feels like every scene takes you back in time.
Tarini Bandopadhyay played effortlessly by Paresh Rawal as a gifted storyteller from Kolkata who has never penned down his tales, fearing criticism and rejection. An eccentric socialist, he has held 75 different jobs, changing every six months. After bidding farewell to Amrit Publication, he comes across an unusual newspaper ad of Ratan Garodia played by Adil Hussain, a business tycoon from Ahmedabad who is in search of a storyteller to narrate original bedtime stories, having failed to cure his insomnia.
Tarini relocates to Ahmedabad, embarking on a new chapter in his life. The story line
is a cult classic with deep message and dialogue writing. The story explores the clash between commercialism and artistry, touching upon themes of plagiarism, self-discovery, and overcoming self-doubt.
I wouldn't be wrong in saying that Paresh Rawal consistently surpasses his own performances with each film, embodying the depth and composure of his characters. His portrayal of Tarini leaves a lasting impact on the story. Meanwhile, Adil Hussain delivers a standout performance as Ratan Garodia, exuding sharpness and cunning, revealing it only when necessary.
The only soft background music changing at times bringing emotions on the screens and the audience's mind enhances the feels of the film. Despite their brief appearances, Revathy, Jayesh More as Garodia's house help Manikchand, and Tannishtha Chatterjee as the librarian Tarini befriends, make a strong impact.
