The recently released The Storyteller on Disney+ Hotstar, directed by Ananth Mahadevan and helmed by acclaimed actors Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain, is a masterpiece in the art of storytelling – it is a rendition based on a short story by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. In the film, Rawal, as Calcutta resident Tarini Bandhopadhyay comes across a job offer for being a personal storyteller to businessman Ratan Garodia (Adil Hussain), who has trouble falling asleep. He decides to accept the offer and immediately sets off for Ahmedabad, and what follows next is an interesting Bengali meets Gujarati drama, with loads of sarcasm, humour and dry wit to keep one hooked.
Tarini disapproves of capitalist ways of life and misses everything back home; despite his son's numerous entreaties, he refuses to visit him in America for that would mean diluting his principles and values that are grounded on the communist ideology. Taken from Ray’s Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro, the film is a homage to Ray and also a display of fine filmmaking which beautifully portrays the flaws and frailties of its whimsical yet wise protagonist and seamlessly contrasts it with his dry wit and everyday charm. The story essentially centres around the delightful, and witty conversations between the Bengali intellectual and the Gujarati capitalist, the universal appeal and timely relevance of their discussions keep one hooked to the narrative throughout the film.
While The Storyteller is the latest one to have been inspired by Ray's rich legacy of storytelling and filmmaking, his influence can be seen in many films across the globe. Here are some Satyajit Ray-inspired films that showcase his filmmaking style and technique and how they stay relevant and inspirational even today:
Indian Cinema
1. Anurag Kashyap's Ugly (2014) - This one is a dark, gripping drama that explores the complexities of human relationships, reminiscent of Ray's social commentaries.
2. Shyam Benegal's Ankur (1974) - A powerful drama that delves into the struggles of rural India, echoing Ray's focus on social realism.
3. Aparna Sen's 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) - This one deep dives into fleshing out the lead character by exploring the aspects of loneliness, identity, and human frailty.
International Cinema
1. Rashomon (1950) - Ray often cited Kurosawa as a major inspiration and this is why Rashomon's film is a must-watch.
2. Taste of Cherry (1997) - This is an Iranian film which undertakes a detailed exploration of the vulnerabilities of human existence. It evokes introspection and discussion around the themes of love and loss and did quite well in the year of its release.
3. The Story of Qiu Ju (1992) - The context of this film is based in rural China and depicts class struggles at multiple levels.
