Showing posts with label The Storyteller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Storyteller. Show all posts
I don't discuss money if I like the role-Paresh Rawal
9:35 AM
The veteran actor says his reasons for choosing a role has still not changed at all
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 15, 2025)
Even after four decades in the film industry, the way Paresh Rawal chooses a film is the same as it was on day one. Even a small role is welcome, the actor says.
Paresh, who was recently seen in Ajey – The Untold Story Of A Yogi, elaborates, “My reason for choosing a role has still not changed at all. Main koi bhi chhota role karne ko taiyaar hoon, bas film aur uski kahaani sahi honi chahiye. Mujhe koi dikkat nahi hai screen time ki.”
For the 70-year-old, the scale of a film isn’t a deal-breaker either. He shares, “I did The Storyteller (2022), which was a terrific film. Shastry Viruddh Shastry (2023) bhi aayi thi, I have an upcoming film with Adil Hussain. Maza aata hai aisi films karne mein. When you get such roles, it satisfies the actor in you. If I like the role once, then chaahe woh film chhoti bhi ho, and they tell me ‘We won’t be able to afford your market price,’ that is fine by me.”
He adds, “Main phir paise discuss bhi nahin karta hoon. Bas uss picture ka completion hona chahiye. Acchi filmein karne ka aise dil bhi karta hai phir.”
Through the years, Paresh hasn’t just experimented with different film genres but also dabbled in politics. The actor had contested in the 2014 Indian general elections with the Bharatiya Janata Party and was voted Member of Parliament. How does he look back on his stint in politics, given the recent controversies Ajey attracted due to its political plot points?
“Usko political career bolna galat hoga. Ek term tha mehez. Mujhe political career banana hi nahin tha,” Paresh shares. “But I was sure about one thing: main apne character par daag nahin lagne dunga. I wanted to come out clean, and I succeeded in achieving my motive,” he ends.
People have found The Storyteller a relief from the edgy, violent cinema of today-Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
10:21 AM
The Storyteller director Ananth Mahadevan to make a second instalment with Paresh Rawal reprising the character of Tarini Khuro, created by Satyajit Ray
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 15, 2025)
Ahead of The Storyteller’s première on Disney+ Hotstar on January 29, director Ananth Mahadevan had rued that he would’ve liked to see the Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain-starrer play out on the big screen (‘One producer didn’t know who Satyajit Ray was’, Jan 24). Today, the director is elated at the warm reception his drama—an adaptation of Satyajit Ray’s short story, Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro—is receiving. Encouraged by the response, Mahadevan has decided to make a second instalment that will see Rawal reprise the role of Tarini Khuro.
Mahadevan reveals that he has reached out to Ray’s son, Sandeep Ray, who had granted him the adaptation rights of The Storyteller. “A few days ago, I wrote to Sandip Ray, saying that he must have heard about the acclaim that the film is getting. I told him I’d like to make another movie on Tarini Khuro. Satyajit Ray had written lots of stories. People have found The Storyteller a relief from the edgy, violent cinema of today. That positive response made Paresh and me think of extending it. I’ve ordered the last available [book] of Tarini Khuro’s stories,” grins the director, eager to take the character on another adventure.
To Mahadevan, the audience’s love for The Storyteller is a marker of how “sensible content” will always attract eyeballs. It has also shown him that viewers are willing to invest in a story.
The director asserts, “This is the awakening of the audience and recognizing what cinema is. I was found guilty by many of making slow-paced movies. But with the audience waking up to [the power of] storytelling, they have interpreted it differently. I cannot [adopt] a James Bond pace in The Storyteller. The script dictates the pace.”
Satyajit Ray was probably appreciated only when he won awards-Adil Hussain
8:28 AM
Adil Hussain on working with director Mahadevan in The Storyteller, inspired by Satyajit Ray’s Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 4, 2025)
Hailing from a town on the border of Assam and West Bengal, Adil Hussain grew up in a melting pot of culture—films, literature, dance, and music. His father introduced him to Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray’s works. So, when director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan offered him The Storyteller—inspired by Ray’s short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro—he knew he was going “to be part of something beautiful.”
“I think any actor, especially the ones I admire, would definitely come on board for it. The Storyteller is such a beautiful [story]. It is an actual delight to embody a character written by Satyajit Ray and wonderfully brought [to screen] by Ananth ji,” states the actor, who plays a Gujarati businessman suffering from insomnia.
He credits Mahadevan for his choice of actors—Revathy, Paresh Rawal, and Tannishtha Chatterjee—and the way he tells the story.
“It’s a delight to work with him because he is a sucker for good and untold stories. I trusted him completely, and I was right. Recently, I shot another film with him called The Past Tense—that’s another brilliant and true story,” says the actor. Hussain acknowledges that while Mahadevan has not received his due recognition, this is true of many great filmmakers throughout history.
“Tapan Sinha is the finest filmmaker in India, with films like Ek Doctor Ki Maut [1990] and Safed Haathi [1978], and has made several phenomenal Bengali films. Yet, very few people know of him. Only the rasiks probably know of his legacy. Even Satyajit Ray was probably appreciated only when he won awards. Otherwise, who would have known about him, except for some people in Bengal? So, with Ananth ji, I think it is a difficult path he has taken to tell these stories, and he has to face the consequences—just as I accept the consequences of being part of independent films. I take it with a lot of gratitude and delight,” adds Hussain.
When asked if it is a good time for independent cinema, the actor believes India is in the “initial phase of a good time.” “It can grow into a great banyan tree. It would be wonderful to see that happen in my lifetime. And I hope that actors—those who believe in the craft and the joy of acting rather than the gloss and the glitter—will have more space in the future,” he shares.
(Crisp) Movie Review: THE STORYTELLER by FENIL SETA
10:26 PM
The Storyteller, which has released today on Disney+ Hotstar, is directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan and is based on a short story by Satyajit Ray. The film has two well fleshed out characters and the reason for them coming together is quite interesting. The moments they share are heartening. There are two major twists in the tale which are unexpected. However, the film moves at a very slow pace and also a few developments are not convincing. What is also difficult to digest is the absence of a conflict in the tale though both characters had reasons for it. Paresh Rawal gets into the skin of the character of an intellectual Bengali. Adil Hussain, too, is very convincing. Tannishtha Chatterjee is dependable as always while Revathy gets to play a great character. Jayesh More (Manikchand) has a crucial role and leaves a mark. All in all, The Storyteller is a watchable flick.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
One producer didn’t even know who Satyajit Ray was-Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
8:32 AM
As The Storyteller premières online next week, director Ananth Mahadevan recalls his three-year struggle to find producers for the adaptation of Satyajit Ray’s short story
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 24, 2025)
One would think Ananth Mahadevan would be happy that his directorial venture, The Storyteller, is set to drop on Disney+ Hotstar on January 28. But the director has mixed feelings about his Paresh Rawal-starrer skipping the theatrical route.
“It was Jio’s decision to release it on the platform and not have a theatrical release. With the response films are getting in the theatres these days, it’s a question of taking a chance. I would’ve liked it to have a limited release,” says Mahadevan.
Also starring Adil Hussain and Revathy, the film is based on Satyajit Ray’s short story, Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. It revolves around an elderly man, known for spinning grand tales. Despite having the foundation of one of Ray’s best stories, Mahadevan says making the film was challenging, with some producers not even knowing of the legendary filmmaker-writer.
“It was heartbreaking. Nobody believed in a film on Ray in his centenary year. Producers wanted drama and high-pitched films. One producer didn’t even know who Ray was. I paraded the script in front of six producers over three years till Suchhanda Chatterjee came on board. Any other actor would’ve given up, but Paresh stood behind me steadfast.”
In 2022, The Storyteller premièred at the Busan International Film Festival. It was also screened at the Kerala Film Festival 2022, International Film Festival of India 2022, and the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2023. Encouraged by the positive response at the film galas, Mahadevan was hopeful that it could be India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2024.
Recalling submitting the movie to the Film Federation of India, Mahadevan says, “We tried our best to send it to the 2024 Oscars as I thought it would be a fitting entry. But I was told by a jury member that we missed it by a whisker. That year, a film on the Kerala floods [the Malayalam film, 2018] went for the Oscars because it highlighted an ecological issue. If this is the kind of judgment they have of Oscar entries, then they are sitting on the wrong chairs. The Storyteller was [based] on Ray’s story, it won accolades everywhere. Yet they didn’t send it. It was shattering. It didn’t even feature in the National Awards.”
Race begins to select India’s official Oscar entry; The Kerala Story, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Dasara in the list
8:15 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 21, 2023)
The pursuit to determine India’s official entry for Oscars 2024 has kicked off, with a slew of films vying for the coveted spot. Notable contenders include Balagam (Telugu), The Kerala Story (Hindi), Zwigato (Hindi) and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Hindi).
“The Oscar committee has embarked on its meticulous selection process, involving multiple screenings, which commenced yesterday in Chennai, and the eagerly anticipated final announcement is to be unveiled next week,” says a source close to the selection process.
The decision regarding the official entry will rest in the hands of a 17-member jury, presided over by filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli.
Reports indicate that the committee has received an array of submissions, tallying over 22 entries. Among the noteworthy names forwarded to “the Film Federation of India for Oscar consideration are The Storyteller (Hindi), Music School (Hindi), Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (Hindi), 12th Fail (Hindi), Viduthalai Part 1 (Tamil), Ghoomer (Hindi) and Dasara (Telugu)”, adds the source.
India triumphed at Oscars 2023, clinching two Academy Awards thanks to S S Rajamouli’s RRR and Guneet Monga’s The Elephant Whisperers, and Pan Nalin’s Gujarati masterpiece Chhello Show was chosen as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category.
The source also said, “The list might have additions such as Vaalvi (Marathi), Gadar 2 (Hindi), Ab Toh Sab Bhagwan Bharose (Hindi), and Baap Lyok (Marathi). We have received their application, but are waiting for the fees.”
The Storyteller, based on Satyajit Ray’s short story, to open London Indian Film Festival
9:55 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 19, 2023)
Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain-starrer The Storyteller has been selected as the opening film of the London Indian Film Festival that kicks off on June 22. The drama is based on Satyajit Ray’s renowned short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. To director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, it’s a proud addition for the movie that was selected for the Busan International Film Festival last October.
“The Storyteller has already been acclaimed at [various festivals] including Busan, Palm Springs, International Film Festival of India and International Film Festival of Kerala. It has emerged as a befitting tribute to the master, Satyajit Ray. It is a matter of pride and gratification that now Europe’s biggest indie festival has accorded it the status of the opening film,” says a delighted Mahadevan.
The Jio Studios offering, also starring Revathy and Tannishtha Chatterjee, tells the story of a wealthy businessman who hires a storyteller to help get over his insomnia. But over time, the narrator’s tales turn more intriguing. The director adds that the original short story bears Ray’s signature style — it addresses a complex issue through a simple narrative.
Mahadevan says, “The movie evokes the master’s subtle touch and harks back to the era of pure cinema.”
It hurts me to know that Bengali people whose art, cinema and literature I look up to, misunderstood me-Paresh Rawal
4:12 PM
Paresh Rawal’s ode to “intelligent, articulate” Bengali men will see him tackle a Satyajit Ray story for the big screen
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 3, 2023)
In his career spanning 40 years, Paresh Rawal has recruited his fine acting chops to breathe life into a variety of Gujarati characters, a job that he could pull off with flair owing to his Gujarati descent. But, the actor admits that having introduced as much variation into his portrayals as he could, he is no longer drawn to similar roles.
“How many modifications can you introduce?” he questions when making a case for himself when asked what prompted his decision to play a Bengali man in Ananth Mahadevan’s The Storyteller.
“While I have done Badal Sarkar’s Bengali play, Pagla Ghoda a while ago, and have played Bengali characters, I have never done so for a movie. I have admired stalwarts of Bengali theatre, like Kumar Roy, Shambhu Mitra, Arun Mukhopadhyay, and Soumitra Chatterjee. So, when given the chance to play a Bengali character, I saw no reason to turn it down.”
Based on Satyajit Ray's short story, Golpo Bolo Tarini Khuro, the film sees Rawal’s character narrate stories to a rich Gujarati businessman. Bengali men, he says, have “intelligence in their eyes, stillness in their demeanour, and speak properly”.
“I put in the work to portray that. I had to learn the language too. Bengali cinema has a particular rhythm; it is slow, digs deep into characters, and takes time to develop. I had to infuse warmth into the character, and make him relatable for viewers,” he says, lamenting the fact that Ray did not create a cinematic adaptation of the story.
“I never had the opportunity to work with him, even though I was keen to. I have a special connect with Bengalis. One’s education in cinema is incomplete as a theatre artiste, if he hasn’t watched Bengali films or plays.”
Offered a glimpse of his admiration for the culture and the people, we ask him what prompted his controversial comments during a political campaign in Gujarat, last month. Rawal had inadvertently upset people following the culture while addressing the subject of illegal settlement in India. He apologised soon after, and tells us that his was a harmless “generalisation”.
“It was a slip of the tongue, and what I said was misconstrued. I genuinely didn’t mean any harm to anybody. It hurts me to know that Bengali people whose art, cinema and literature I look up to, misunderstood me.”
The Storyteller's selection at Busan is a huge award in itself-Ananth Mahadevan
8:22 AM
Ananth Mahadevan’s The Storyteller, adapted from Satyajit Ray’s short story, to vie for Kim Jiseok Award at Busan film fest
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2022)
In Satyajit Ray’s short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro, director Ananth Mahadevan found the perfect source material for The Storyteller. Add stellar actors Paresh Rawal, Revathy, Adil Hussain and Tannishtha Chatterjee to the mix, and it’s hardly surprising that Mahadevan’s film has been selected to compete for the Kim Jiseok Award at the ongoing Busan International Film Festival. “There aren’t enough words to express [my joy]. The film’s selection is a validation that what my entire team and I set out to make has been worth it,” beams the actor-director.
Ray’s short story revolves around a wealthy businessman who hires a storyteller to help get over his insomnia, but over time, the narrator’s tales turn more intriguing. The late writer-filmmaker explored a revenge drama within the simple premise. Mahadevan credits the legend for giving him a solid foundation on which he built his movie. “I am grateful to Satyajit Ray for giving the world such a special story. The beauty of Ray’s work is that it stays relevant through time. The film is a beautiful commentary on who is a storyteller and what constitutes inspiration.”
Last year, filmmaker-actor Aparna Sen made India proud as her film, The Rapist, won the Kim Jiseok Award. Quizzed about his film’s chances of bagging the award this year, Mahadevan says, “The selection at Busan is a huge award in itself. The ability to meet fellow filmmakers and see cinema from around the world excites me. If we win, that will be a bonus.”
Satyajit Ray and Ananth Mahadevan
Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah to star in Hindi version of Satyajit Ray's The Storyteller
4:20 PM
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 1, 2017)
A day before Satyajit Ray's 96th birth anniversary, Mirror has learnt that Ananth Narayan Mahadevan is adapting a story, Galpo Boliye Tarini Khuro (The Storyteller Tarini Khuro), by the auteur for the screen. The 90-95 minute film, produced by Anjum Rizvi, will feature Paresh Rawal and Naseeruddin Shah as the protagonists. He hopes to be ready by January 2018 so he can enter it for next year's Cannes International Film Festival where Ray's first film, Pather Panchali (Song of the Road) bagged the 'Best Human Document' Award in 1956. "Years ago, when I was doing television, I'd approached his son, Sandip Ray, for the rights to a Feluda story and was turned down because he wanted to carry the franchise forward himself. But this story, which my documentary filmmaker friend Tapobrati Das read out to me in its original form, is one that cannot be made in Bengali. Ray plays beautifully between the mother tongues of the duo - Bangla and Gujarati - with Hindi as the linking language," explains Ananth who has been developing the screenplay with India's animation pioneer, Bhimsain's son, Kireet Khurana.
This time Sandip's scepticism was deflected with the promise that The Storyteller would either be a royal tribute to the master or else Ananth's swan song. And since his father had made only one feature film in Hindi, Shatranj Ke Khilari, apart from a TV film, Sadgati, Sandip is excited to see one of his baba's stories translating into a Hindi film. "When we shoot in Kolkata in July, he's promised to visit the set and also give us a grand tour of Ray's home and memorabilia. I'm looking forward to the pilgrimage," Ananth exults.
He's shot some portions in Kolkata during Durga Puja last year and plans to return to the City of Joy with Paresh in July. Naseer who's busy with a new play, will join later when they move to Ahmedabad.
In an interesting casting against type, Paresh plays the Bengali babu, with a vow to get the look and accent right. Naseer has been roped as the Gujarati businessman.
"Naseer saab takes his time giving his nod, but 15 minutes into this narration, he told me he was doing the film, more so if Paresh bhai was in," Ananth reminisces with a smile, adding he plans to cast a Bengali actor as Tarini's friend and two theatre actors from Mumbai for two other significant parts.
He is reluctant to reveal details about the plot. All he says is that unlike the other Tarini Khuro stories, this one doesn't dabble with ghosts or the supernatural. It's the only story in the series which is in a realistic space and as relevant today as it was when it was written.
"It talks about creativity and pilfering, which makes me wonder if Ray was alluding to his Alien script, based on a 1962 short story, Bankubabur Bandhu (Bankubabu's Friend), which he'd wanted to turn into a Hollywood project but couldn't. But Steven Spielberg's 1982 alien adventure, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial had disconcerting similarities with it which hurt Ray deeply. It's a simple story, rich in humour and biting satire. While one would jump to the conclusion that Paresh is playing the titular role of the 'storyteller' the title in itself is deceptive," Ananth ends enigmatically.
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