The Storyteller, a movie featuring the Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal, is a very unique film serving a unique audience. This film is very thought-provoking and is a delicate tribute to the tales we encounter, narrate, and commit to memory to make sense of the complexity of life. The film has Revathi and Adil Hussain in the leads alongside Paresh Rawal. The Storyteller has been receiving praise in various film festivals in India and abroad and is now available for everyone on Disney+ Hotstar.
The Storyteller Movie Story
The Storyteller is inspired by ‘Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro’, a short story by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. The protagonist is Tarini Bandopadhyay, played by Paresh Rawal, a Kolkata resident who is retired and passionate about the art of telling stories. Now he has been offered a job, a very different one than normal. The job is to tell stories to a rich businessman, Ratan Goradia, played by Adil Hussain, who has insomnia and feels that some good stories can only put him to sleep.
The movie begins with the meeting of Tarini and Ratan, this scene portrays the two different aspects of life. Director Ananth Mahadevan witfully depicts the contrast between Bengali vs Gujarati traditions and lifestyles. Both these points of view have been given an equal screen space, which makes the film an even more interesting ride.
The Storyteller Movie Review
Ananth Mahadevan’s direction is good. The way he conveys detailed information in each frame without being unduly commercial is amazing. In the modern era, very few directors appear to possess this level of skill, and Ananth has undoubtedly figured it out. Furthermore, the film’s screenplay is highly regarded since it naturally immerses you in the story and allows you to become a part of it.
The problem is the story requires patience. The stretched sequences and lengthy pauses should have been trimmed. The background music deserves special attention. Along with other Bengali masterpieces, the tale of ‘The Storyteller’ is enhanced with folk songs such as Tumi Robe Nirobe and Purano Shei Diner Kotha by Rabindranath Tagore.
The Storyteller Performance
Paresh Rawal’s tremendous acting will make you lose the feel of the actor’s presence and all that is left will be Tarini Bandopadhyay. Initially one might feel, that Adil and Paresh could have been given each other’s roles, but Paresh’s expressions, body language, and dialogue delivery don’t allow you to feel that way for long.
Adil Hussain’s performance is also praiseworthy and it can be very inspiring in such a manner that one can sit and just observe to learn acting. Revathi is amazing, and Tannishtha Chatterjee’s work is also commendable. By the end of the film you will only remember the poetic journey that you will see from each scene of Adil and Paresh, the two will win you over.
The Storyteller is not like usual high-octane drama or flashy entertainment, it is a slow-paced film but still manages to keep you interested. The film doesn’t just narrate a story—it makes you reflect, feel, and connect with life’s subtleties. It quietly leaves a mark, offering something valuable to its audience without making a noise.
Final Verdict
All moviegoers who like this genre should see the Ananth Mahadevan-directed “The Storyteller, but Satyajit Ray fans should see it more than anyone else. The film silently touches your heart without any extra drama and pomp. You will feel different after watching this film, which is distinct.
Rating: ½ (3.5/5)
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