Original subtitles

Retirement comes with a big disadvantage

No Sundays to look forward to

From today it's eat, drink, sleep

As I leave this prestigious building of....

Amrit Publishers,

I set a new record for myself

No, really.

In all these years

I have changed 73 different jobs

Seventy Three

Never stayed at one place for more than 6 months

This is the only place where I spent 13 long months

I cannot believe it myself

Thank you all for being so kind. Thank you

Sir

Sir

Sorry this got a little delayed

Don't worry sir, all zeroes intact

We shall miss your stories, sir

You brightened up our weekends

Wish more people think like you

This is almost brand new, sir

If ever you wish to sell it…..

My car goes where I go

It won’t be able to adjust to anyone else

Who will break the locks of my house and take me out

Who will break the locks of my house and take me out

Which Lord is so obliging?

Who will break the locks of my house and take me out

Hey Tolstoy’s unofficial offspring! Come on out now

Hey Tolstoy’s unofficial offspring! Come on out now

Come along

Cheers - Lets cut the cake

British have cut the country in pieces...

now we end up cutting Bengali sweets

(clapping)

Admit that you couldn't afford a cake

A double malt should do. Down with capitalism

Hey wait

(Rabindranath Tagore's music)

- Anuradha….I am feeling sorry for you

- Why?

Tarini has turned 30 today

you know that right?

People go half senile at 30

Bankim, stop it

It’s still not too late for a honeymoon

Get him out of here

if only he gets time off with his changing jobs…..

Am I in the news?

Who else is worthy of it?

Happy birthday….

this looks invaluable

Not as valuable as your stories…..

start writing

- That reminds me It's time for Tarini tales

Let's have it.

Nooooo….not today

Ohh god not again

Anyway you continue

Oops sorry, what was that ?

What did I break?

My expensive vase

My mother-in-law's gifted me

- Her favourite vase. - Oh God, really?

- Just because his mother in law is not around, he has the guts to say this

So what? I am still afraid of her

Shall we begin?

Yes

This story is about a child

A child who wanted nothing at school except marks

but when he stepped into college

he learnt about the other Marx….

The same Marx who had said,

A writer must earn money

in order to live

but he must by no means live for the sole purpose of making money

Fresh coconut water

Fresh coconut water

Fresh coconut water

Fresh coconut water

Mouli

Mouli

Are you looking for an auspicious time...

to clear this dust?

I have been asking for a new broom since a fortnight

This broom too is looking for retirement

Now that's what I call a metaphor

She is right

Cleaning the cobwebs of the society...

is the storyteller's job

He just doesn't stop

Talking to you is a waste of time

He doesn't notice the dust for months and then...

Please move

I have more jobs to attend unlike you

This is my house. I will stand where I wish to

In that case,

cleaning will be done tomorrow

Hello there Will you stop doing that?

This isn't a toy for your kid

How much for this?

- 80 rupees

It was for 60 yesterday

Pack One kilo of prawns for me

Don’t rush it man

Check the fish out first Look at it's mouth...

If it is red, you know it's fresh

Check at some other shops too

Hey mister

Why do you keep doing this to me

You sold this for rupees 60 yesterday

You too were young once upon a time

What do you say to that? Ridiculous!

Now you have all the time in the world

Go stay with Arindam in the USA

He will be happy to see you

And you can narrate your stories to the little one

That’s all I will end up doing

Then why don't you start writing

At least start writing for Anuradha's sake

Who wants my kind of stories these days

Step aside

You may be mistaken

Hello aunty - Joyoti !!

Sometimes I wonder

Whether she lives in our house or the other way around?

She was talking about you to Joyoti

She was complaining that you won't buy a new broom

Ungrateful capitalist mentality

Didn’t expect this from the service class

Amazing! Delectable!

The fish too must be wishing

for salvation at Joyoti’s hands

Half the credit goes to the quality of fish you get

Why do you have to get it every time ?

I don’t trust Bankim

When it comes to fish, I don't trust anyone

Read that out to him

Listen to this… the world is still looking for storytellers

Must be willing to settle in Ahmedabad

Attractive salary, includes boarding and lodging

Age, gender no bar

- Original storyteller will be preferred

Apply to T 29/4, Ahmedabad 380015

Take a look

Perfect. Just what I was waiting for

You think he will leave Kolkata? This man will never step out

He is hooked on to the fishes of Johu bazaar

Delectable!

Sumptuous!

Exquisite !

Hello - Grandpa

Chhotu!

I looked around

but I couldn’t find the alligator with dentures, did you?

Aah!

So you miss Grandpa’s stories?

Grandpa, why don't you come over?

Sorry dad, I was traveling How are you doing?

I am fine

The house help comes on time,

I get my fish at a fair price,

The office has gifted me a brand new watch

It shows the time in America too

- Why don't you come over for a holiday dad?

That country, capitalist blood sucking Dracula

- Ohh! come on dad

- The world is going ahead only because of capitalism

- Mark my words, soon India will follow suit…

I will be gone before that happens,

Leave that

When are you coming to India?

Dad, no holidays this time

So they bought over your holidays too

Long live capitalism

- You shouldn’t be talking, dad

- I am at least stuck to one job for decade

And look at you 10 jobs in one year

Don't talk like your mother now

Whatever…..and for God's sake don’t fight with Mauli.

If she quits, it will be tough to find another one

If she quits, it will be tough to find another one

Bankim is playing the spy on me ?

Feluda's deadly partner, Topchi

Why do you keep calling Bankim?

I've heard that you've applied for a new job?

Yes and they have called me for an interview too

Hasn't your spy informed you?

- Dad, I am concerned about you

Stop worrying about me

I am fantabulously fine Goodbye

I should have known you were always this strange

Let's not even talk about vacations

You still have 10 minutes to go, think about it again

You haven’t landed the job yet

Don’t blame me for it later.

I will be in touch with you

Make sure you clean my car every day

When was the last time...

I did something for the first time

Make sure you wash her daily

Bye

Don't forget to call

What are you doing here, mister?

Looking for someone?

Who do you want to meet?

Mr. Garodia

And who are you?

Tarini Bandhopadhyay from Kolkata

I am here for the interview

This advertisement

in the paper…. I am here to meet your master

Do you have an appointment?

Are you the one doing the hiring ?

People like you keep coming every day

Come back with an appointment

I have come to a new land….

The tattered boat I came in, sank in mid waters,

and I floated to the shores.

I have come to a new land….

The tattered boat I came in sank in mid waters,

The tattered boat I came in sank in mid waters,

and I floated to the shores

I have come to a new land….

Manikchand

The tattered boat I came in sank in mid waters,...

Listen, I don't see any guard dog here

There is no dog…

Just a board to keep people like you away

You look like a guard dog

Mister Garodia

All the way from Kolkata?

You must be tired…. be seated

Picasso! Weeping woman

It’s a copy….

Obviously….

if it was the original,

there would be guards with guns outside the bungalow….

War and Peace…

Did you actually manage to finish it?

I don't get time to read

I buy them

I believe that if there are books around me,

The knowledge will slowly get transferred to me

You see Mr. Tarini,

I read only one kind of book…

my account books

Oh

Your account books are as heavy as War and Peace

That means big business….

Its ancestral. Cotton exports

So your school is somewhere close-by?

School?

I have always managed to stay far away from school

Don’t you need a storyteller for your school kids?

I don’t own a school

Actually…I needed a storyteller…..

for myself

Let me explain

I have everything, all the material wealth

Everything, except sleep

Its a disease

Chronic inso-mania

Insomnia

Exactly Inso - mania

Not-so-rich people like me get good sleep

Insomnia is a rich man’s disease

It's the side-effect of capitalism

Well, I am not the one who travelled all the way from Kolkata

Breakfast?

If you think what I am suggesting is weird,

you are free to leave right now

My only request to you is

Don't talk about my offer to others and mock me

Someone had once said....

sleep is like the interest we pay

to keep ourselves away from the capital of death

But I am unable to

pay this interest….

And that has

affected me mentally and physically

It's affecting my business too

Hmm

Shall i suggest a cure?

Shall i suggest a cure?

Why don't you try sleeping pills with warm milk?

Half an hour before going to bed

I have tried everything, but nothing has worked

Then a doctor in America suggested that

I should count sheep before sleeping….

As they say 'Count Sheep'

The sheep went off to sleep but I was still awake

Then, I consulted Mrs Kalyanpuri, my local doctor

She suggested Grandma's good old remedy

I am sure you remember

How we slept like babies...

when our grandma would tell us stories...

I may not sleep like a baby anymore but at least

can hope to doze off a bit

You want Grandma’s tales at this age?

Hey, this is not a formal interview

but you need to know this....

There were quite a few people before you

who responded to my advertisement

Some locals from around here

But I wasn't impressed by any of them....

Why ?

You know how things work here

All we care about is stock market, share price etc

We are all good at becoming rich overnight but storytelling? Thats not we are good at

I have heard that in Bengal every house has a storyteller….

So Mr. Tarini

You think you stories will put me to sleep?

I shall surely try

Let me warn you

I am not an easy patient

Gorky had said….When things come easy, one becomes stupid

- Gorky? - Maxim Gorky!

You have his books on your shelf

Ohh Yes... Yes

No more., Thanks

Our food is very different from what you eat back home

Pure vegetarian

That's ok. Anyway, I was tired of eating fish everyday in Kolkata

Delectable

Disgusting, Awful

I felt like a cow eating all that vegetable

Mr. Garodia will see you at 8

He’s both a vegetarian and a capitalist

No wonder he doesn't get sleep

My friend, you were keen to hop on that train

I am sure you can find fish there...

Fish? Here? Impossible

Where do you think the Sabarmati river flows through?

Oh yes!

And how will I smuggle the fish inside this house?

So what shall I do?

Shall I send you a parcel from here?

Fish!

The cat has stolen the fish

Thief!

Everyone is a thief here

What do you mean?

Garodia has a gun with him

Could it be possible that

he has killed people to set up his palace?

Capitalist…..

No he could’t have killed anybody

Or could he ?

Maybe that's the reason why he can't sleep?

Let's wait and watch Today's trial session…

can't say what might happen.

What could happen….

Even if he's sleepy, your stories will keep him awake

Good night

There! You're finally traveling

Happy?

Please come in..... take a seat

best quality cotton

I export these to millions

With the promise of good sleep

And yet I am awake through the night

So can we hope to get some sleep tonight?

Please be seated

Just sit back

and relax

and stop exercising your brain for a while...

Close your mind... totally

How can I stop something which hasn't begun yet?

According to reports...

those who suffer from insomnia have higher IQ

Intelligent people rarely get sleep

Is that so?

What kind of stories do you narrate?

Original stories

Unabashedly, invariably original

After all your idea of getting a storyteller...

to help you sleep is also original

Sounds good

Where do you get your supply of stories from?

Everything is not about supply and demand Mr. Garodia

I cook up stories just like that

Weaving stories is a habit

Just like that? - yes Since when?

Since childhood

How do you...

guarantee that your stories are original?

I can’t possibly give you a written guarantee card,

like you do in your business

You can check for yourself Tell me,

what subject should I narrate a story on?

Tell me a story of......

This chair

A chair?

Ok

If you don’t mind, May I?

I didn't know that you smoke

I don’t smoke regularly,

only when narrating a story

This is my magic wand

Fuel for the brain

Once upon a time....

in Aravalli’s peaceful,

wild forest,

birds and animals lived with freedom and joy

Birds would sing freely…. Waterfalls would flow freely…

everyone was happy, not caring about the rest of the world

But they were not aware that

all this tranquil is soon

going to be destroyed….

And just then there was thunder and storm….

And then lightning struck

The men ran for cover

And took shelter under a huge tree

And when the rain stopped and the sun's rays peeped out...

And when the rain stopped and the sun's rays peeped out...

The woodcutter began axing the very tree which gave them shelter

Homes and lives were destroyed

Destroyed forever

And then the seed of that tree gave birth

to a brand new forest….. a concrete jungle

What do you think?

He's cracking a joke at your expense

I know that

I may be an illiterate but not a fool

Then, why are you keen on letting him stay on?

I can see my dreams through his stories….

But you didn’t sleep a wink last night

Dreams are not what you see with your eyes shut

They are what you see when you are wide awake

Trust you to play with words

Sorry I am late

I overslept

Doesn't matter, Mr. Tarini

At least one of us managed to sleep

Your story was so fascinating

Feel like skipping work today and listening to more of them

Ahh. Thanks Manikchand

Manik? What about the fish

No. The greens, I mean vegetarian is good enough

That's not what I meant

The cat ate up a goldfish

Manik , Replace the fish

And make sure the tank is closed

You enjoy the flatbread

Ohh yes., the flatbread

- It's delicious

What's up ? You are here too

- Excuse me - Yes?

Can I get this issued?

Tagore?

This has not been issued since a long time

Your favorite author ?

Where words come from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms toward perfection

Are you a member of this library?

I haven’t seen you here before

No, I am not a member

In that case, will you please fill this form?

Name, address, Reference

May I borrow your pen?

Reference.

Is Tagore’s reference good enough ?

Local reference….

Is the photograph necessary?

Any passport size picture will do

I have no such picture with me.

And I don’t like a picture with my neck chopped off.

So many complications for a book

Tagore doesn't come easy

By the way, Das is also a Tagore fan

Das?

Gurcharan Das…the famous playwright? he was my ex….

We had met a writer’s conference

Rs 100 deposit please

Thank you sir

Where will I get some fish here?

Fish to eat?

In the library?

Is there a fish market nearby?

Bhatiyar Galli fish market, near Gandhi market,

pretty close from here

So…does your husband buy fish from there?

So you are trying to guess if I am single

No. I saw the ring and thought perhaps….

Thank you…

Tarini Bandhopadhyay

Suzy Fibert

Suzy

I shall return the book in 4-5 days

I will waive off the penalty

The tiger for the forest. The birds for the trees and the fish for the water

Extraordinary! Amazing.

Did you prune all these trees yourself ?

What do you think?

Why do you keep sulking ?

Have you forgotten how to smile?

Why was Garodia getting upset the other day?

If the cat gobbled the fish, how is it your fault ?

Wild cat

Here, take this

It’s fish

For the tank?

It’s for me

You can give the leftovers to the cat

That way the fish in the tank will be safe

and you will be safe too

You think we will cook fish in this house?

Actually… I don’t fancy fish too much

not even when I was in Kolkata.

But the fish talk in the morning made me homesick

Go on. Take it It's only food

Are you crazy?

If Garodia comes to know, he will fry me like a fish...

Aaaah! I am almost drooling...

Just once.

Will never ask you again

But...

I know nothing about cooking fish

How was it?

Being a Bengali, I ate what you cooked out of respect for the fish

It's the first time I had a sweet-dish made of fish

Make some paste of garlic and ginger

You will need lots of it

I shall teach you how to cook fish tomorrow

Tomorrow? You had said only for a day!

If boss comes to know, I will lose my job.

If you make it every day, he will never come to know

Take this away

Please come

How’s your tummy now?

What's wrong with my tummy?

Manikchand was saying...

you got some tummy bug

Well. In Kolkata, we eat dinner by 6 pm

6 pm is a good time

Do you write too?

These are account books

I will never be able to write stories the way you do

I am not able to write stories either

I just narrate them

You mean..

You have never written down your stories ?

How come ?

No particular reason

I have been grappling with the plot points of my life…so….

Plots

If you were writing, your books would sell like hot cakes

Who knows?

What if it didn’t work?

Tonight… shall I narrate my story to you?

Sure. Just don’t steal my job

Wish I had your calibre

I have....

tried to write a small poem

Possible to get your magic wand?

Water?

It was me

and it was you

Our love died a silent death

I still regret...

That you and me couldn’t become one

Cut the fuss.. Lets have a shot of Rum

I get it.

- I got it too. Your poem

A painful saga of unrequited love

Love's labour lost

Really?

So that comes through, doesn't it?

If I may ask...

Who is she?

Let it be....

How does it matter?

Saraswati

I was 35 then,

she was my neighbor

And?

Saraswati chose to get married

to an IAS officer

And you chose not to get married at all?

I continued....

grappling with life’s plot points….

Copy cat

But look around

This mansion, this business…

I have set it all up on my own

And where is she now, in spite of being so well educated?

This world

is not for the thinkers

It's for the doers

So...

what kind of story will it be today?

Would you like to listen to a contemporary story?

Or classic? Or fairy tale?

A happy story!

(pigeon flutters)

This story is about a pigeon…

Not an ordinary pigeon but a special one...

used as a spy during World War II

It was trained to deliver messages to German soldiers

That particular day, he had a top secret message

which could help save 50 million people’s lives

But…..

The pigeon gets trapped in a net

And breathes its last in the soldier's hand

The secret message was not to be found

And the course of history was changed

Where is Tarini?

He should be here soon for breakfast

Keep this safely in the drawer

Manikchand

- This doesn't seem like the fish from the tank

This is thanks to Tarini...

So sorry. Shakespeare and Premchand got me delayed

I will have what he’s having

Have you seen the famous coffee house in Kolkata?

Do you remember that Manna De song?

“Come join the coffee house gang.. ”

“Come join the coffee house gang.. ”

What memories…

Manna Dey

- What memories of this coffee house!

We used to come to this place very frequently...

We used to take that table right there in that corner....

Das and you?

No, Bond and me

James Bond?

Ruskin Bond

Ohh Ruskin

Before Das. Bond was the Shakespeare of our college

Can you imagine?

He published his first book at the age of 16

People spend all their lives writing one book

And he finished writing a book at the age of 16

And then what happened between the two of you?

If you don’t believe me, that’s okay.

I am not forcing you to

I believe you

Thank you

Go ahead, relish it

The longer I stay the more fish you get

Don’t forget that, my friend

Dear Manikchand,

The fish was slightly raw

Should have gone easy on the sourness too

Let's next try prawns for a change

Prawns?

Lets cook prawns together

Tell me

How are you, dear doctor?

Did your patient get any sleep?

Not yet,

but I have started liking this place

I am thinking of settling down here

What are you saying, comrade?

Have you turned into a capitalist too?

Or have you started liking the fish from Sabarmati?

The library here is quite interesting

More interesting than the greats, Vivekananda, Bankimchandra

and Saratchandra?

When I come for the Durga Festival, I shall explain

It's a deal then

The festival will get more colorful with your tales

Good night

It's all over

He is a goner

He says Ahmedabad is interesting

Manikchand was saying that you have been eating only boiled food recently….

All good with your health?

That's because your Gujarati meals make me sleepy

You are unlike the other Bengalis...

You are so serious about your work

No strikes or rallies

By the way, most of the great story writers are from Bengal, right?

Tagore and that…Devdas

You mean Saratchandra.

Devdas is the name of his book

Whatever, I know all these names

Gujarat also had a great writer…. Gandhi

Very true

What was the name of Gandhi's autobiography?

I am worried… what if your stories succeed?

Then you will have no job

I should have taken up the job of a night watchman

I would have both the job and security….

Job…security…

You are a witty man

So how do you spend your time in Kolkata ?

I go to Victoria memorial….

Every Sunday,

especially during winter season

Soak in the early morning sun. it is intoxicating

Some day I hope to experience your heaven

This is.... where I proposed to Saraswati.

Those days it wasn’t the trend to get down

on your knees and offer a ring….

I asked her in my own style…

I asked her in my own style…

got her a cup of tea and then I proposed….

Oh so you brought me to this place with a purpose

She was so brutally honest

"Buying cheap cotton from Pakistan"

"and then selling it to Indians is not business."

"Even the British did the same thing…."

She never could understand the real me

It’s her loss

You are so successful…. and cultured.

After that you never had the chance to speak to her?

I spoke to her a few days back…

that was after years

She lost her husband in a car accident last year….

They had no offspring

No issues? Then there is no issue.

She must have heard of your success

These things don’t matter to her

The goddess of knowledge, Saraswati doesn't like Laxmi, the goddess of wealth

She goes for the cerebral kind like you

Love… What is love?

Can you explain it to me?

Love is a promise,

It’s almost impossible to fulfill that promise

Quintessentially delusional

Hmmmm

Did you love your wife….Anuradha?

Absolutely.

If Anu was around today, she would have rescued me from myself.

That’s such a deep thought

I need someone to rescue me from myself

You don't really need a storyteller...

you need someone to change your perspective of life….

Do you really have to go back ?

Yes. For the Durga festival

Bengalis can't give up two things….

Fish and the Durga festivities

You will be back, won't you?

Of course

I am not Saraswati to abandon the goddess of wealth

I will be back in ten days.

Leo will miss you

Leo?

Leo Tolstoy

Shall I send a replacement from Kolkata ?

This library prefers the original Tarini

Original

Has the latest issue arrived?

Sorry madam. All the latest editions have been issued.

I had asked you to reserve one for me

Sorry it’s on first come first serve basis

Please call me as soon as you get a copy.

Don’t make me wait so long for Gorky’s story

I told you to keep a copy for me

Making me climb these stairs for nothing

Oh its great to know

that people like translations of Gorky too

Oh it's not the Russian Gorky she is talking about

This is a local Gujarati Gorky

Gujarati Gorky ?

You have learnt to read the local language already?

No, still the hapless Bengali.

Who is this?

This is Gorky

He has recently started writing…

And he’s already making a name for himself.

He is so popular

No this isn't. ... - Obviously not. It is his pen name.

I have heard that he’s a local cotton baron…

Maybe that's a rumor.

Have you read his stories?

- Which Gujarati person wouldn't have ?

And your favorite story is…..

- Every story is fascinating.

- This one is about a spy pigeon in World War II.

- But my favorite is his first one…..

- The story set in Aravalli forest… about a 100 year old tree.

- Which a businessman along with his men had come to cut down

- And then it started raining and the men took shelter under that tree

- And later they cut down the very tree that sheltered them

O Army of pain

March with me to battle

The rival has a smiling face but poisonous heart.

I revel in battle but will he ever be captured?

I design the war but will he ever be captured?

The turmoil within overwhelms me

Even today these structures look so splendid. Doesn't it?

Reminders of British imperialism

Come on

The British have done some good work too

They looted the country

and filled their own treasures.

Only royalty gets their history written

One needs to pick up the pen

to write history too

Manik, this smells of fish

But you were okay with him eating fish

I have heard that

eating fish makes the brain sharper....

Some day, cook fish for me too

Comrade Tarini has joined hands with a capitalist

Try this.

I made a mistake.

I should have listened to my fellow comrade’s advice

You are looking younger by the day

Seems like Ahmedabad suits you.

Absolutely.

That’s a secret….

In fact, a story

Oh let’s hear it. Tarini tales

Thank you

Tarini is a good human being.

What do you think Manik?

By the way, Saraswati used to say that

I am also a good human being.

But a good person is ultimately left with nothing

- You still choose to be my friends,

in spite of knowing that I am a loser

This is a true story

Story of my life

I would never want to narrate such a story...

A story stranger than fiction…..

I have no complaints, Manik.

I got everything….

success, power, money...

except Saraswati.

Without her I feel incomplete.

- Just that I never had the courage…..

to pen down my own stories

Worried that the world would think I am no good.

I had no confidence in myself

Now I don't feel bad about that any more....

Comrades

My stories have been published

And people are liking them too

- I didn’t do all this for money.

Wanted to prove to her that I am beyond just a businessman

I just hope for some love and respect from her

Don't let Garodia get away with this

Why?

Because he achieved something that I couldn’t?

He has immortalized me.

What say?

So what if the stories don’t carry his name….

After all they do belong to him

I am merely a medium

through which his stories got their identity and exposure

And he’s also the medium

through which I get my respect

through which I get my respect

So aren't we even?

Sir, aren't you afraid of Karma?

I am

But then it's also possible

That I am helping Tarini pay for his past sins....

Who can escape Karma?

Look at Garodia,

He can’t catch a wink on the very bed that he makes

But how does that help you?

You are still living with your fear….

I feel like a new man

Maybe that's the change in myself that I feared

Saraswati thinks I am a prominent writer.

She should never know the truth….

…and of course, Tarini shouldn’t know it either

Or else he will stop narrating stories

Along with everything else my story also ends here

This is the last installment of Tarini tales, A true story

The good suffer pain. ...

O the naive, good man

The good suffer pain

While evil slashes its whip

While evil slashes its whip

Why do the good suffer thus ?

Time passes, days go by

The good is never benefitted

The one who harvests and feeds all

is left with an empty vessel

It's the good who end up suffering

Hail Goddess Durga

Hail Goddess Durga

Hail Goddess Durga

All cheap Chinese imports

Garodia and the Chinese have one thing in common

Both make original copies

That jerk of a cotton ball. Forget him

Let’s get on with our purchases

I’m not upset with him…. i’m upset with myself

Me…Tarini! Who claimed that

no one can make a fool out of me

Tarini!

They’re expecting us at the festivities.

Tarini?

Tarini

Do you know the meaning of my name?

What is it?

Durga

The one who vanquishes her enemies

The undefeated

- But I’m a fake

Just a fake namesake

- What’s wrong with you dad? Are you serious?

- What’s wrong with you dad? Are you serious?

So the news has spread

Hang on

Even Bankimchand, the writer is no match for our Bankim

He broadcasts everything about me

Go on

It’s not about Bankim, dad…. Garodia is a fraud

No, he's an illusionist A hero of our times

Garodia is himself a story

He will soon run out of stories to publish...

So I’d better rush

I give up! You’re impossible

In your own capitalist language…

He pays me monthly salary

Whether he sleeps over my stories or gets them published....

That is none of my business

I am what I am...thanks to him

He completes me

Dad

Look at it like this…

The money I earn this time, pays for my ticket to America

I can buy the tickets for you

No way. it’s got to be my money…

Not the currency of a capitalist country!

Suit yourself dad

What time is it there?

It’s 8 am here

Then get to work Goodbye

You could have at least called up and informed before arriving....

If I had informed you, would you cook fish for me?

Moron

I’m glad my house appeals to you!

At least it’s a beginning.

some tea?

Is there someone with Garodia upstairs?

Who is it?

Let me take your bag

Greetings Tarini

Mr. Garodia! You missed me, didn’t you?

Good evening… Tarini Bandhopadhyay

Hello…Saraswati

So you are Saraswati

Garodia is absolutely effusive about his adulation for you!

Oh really? What does he say about me?

Anyway, Swati when did you arrive from America?

I’m Saraswati, not Swati

Sorry

I mistook you for Swati… his cousin in America

This is my friend from Kolkata.

Will stay with me for a few days

That’s nice. We’re old friends too

What do you do?

I’m in Garodia’s line of business.

He sells cotton, I spin yarns

That's nice

Manikchand,

Please take Tarini to his room

I mean, the guest room

Good to see you

Interesting man

Goddess of knowledge tells the goddess of wealth

that Durga is interesting.

Welcome back

Come in

Good evening

What have you got with you?

That's Rabindra music

We haven't had too much luck with only stories

So some music therapy should help

That's the second line of treatment

[music plays]

Oh, by the way, congratulations

What for?

Saraswati. She's a very elegant lady

Nothing on the cards yet.

So why not gift her a ring?

Or write a sweet love letter....

Maybe even a story to impress her...

No! I could never match up to your imagination

Oh I could never match up to yours

What have I done?

Trying out storytelling as a cure for sleeplessness

I could never have thought of such a brilliant idea

So what’s it going to be tonight?

How about a love-tragedy?

The story of my life

Bring it on.

I see everything clearly now

This story is about a charismatic princess.

Who transformed herself into a brave warrior

So brave that she sent shivers up anyone even thinking of eyeing her kingdom...

Her rivals, marauders and dacoits....no one could dare be on the other side

Praise the Lord!

How do you come up with these wonderful stories?

You deserve a bonus

Please continue

Manikchand, have you given the fish their feed?

Will do so now sir

And the bait, his fish?

I see a big change in you

I meant your thought process.

So what’s your latest story about?

I haven't really thought about it yet

I can weave a story around anything

This step-well, or even the tea- vendor outside

Money doesn’t interest me anymore

What makes you write then? Is it the adulation?

Remember the last time we were here?

Remember the last time we were here?

The water had risen up to those steps

That’s where I proposed to you.

Maybe. So?

So, I am guessing by now you have read my thoughts

Tagore was missing you

Only Tagore was missing me?

Shhhh…they are all watching

Who ?

All the greats

I missed Tagore too

It feels like he never stopped writing.

So many unheard stories.

The Durga festival must have been inspiring

Yes, this time I felt more encouraged...

Sadly the garba festival here has become a loud, commercial affair

The craft of converting art into business

Sorry, no fish on the menu.

Karma has caught up with me

No more cheating

I understand how you feel.

But some day you’ll realize my worth

The event begins at 4

You could come around at that time.

Will you be attending too?

No, I’m traveling.

Good morning Mr. Garodia

Good morning

All well with the world?

Yes…

Did you hear from Saraswati?

- Please get in

You must have visited this place many times

No

You haven’t visited the step-well despite living in Ahmedabad?

It isn’t going to disappear.

I shall visit it at leisure.

How about going there tomorrow?

I work all day…and you?

In fact, isn't it strange that you haven't told me what you do?

You wouldn’t believe it

Try me

I put people to sleep

Put people to sleep?

Like in Godfather? Mario Puzo?

No

I am not capable of going that far

I lull a businessman to sleep by telling stories

A storyteller?

I should have known

So who is this owl of a businessman who needs a story as sleeping pill?

Ratan Garodia

Gorky?

Come in Tarini…

Manikchand said that you wanted to meet

I was going to call for you tonight.

Please be seated

Are you alright?

Yes. Why?

I was concerned about you

I haven’t slept a wink since last three nights

I haven't slept since thirty years

Sorry, but I am trying my best

Your condition makes me restless

Seeing you awake makes me sleepless.

Cut the poetry, narrate a story

I need to talk to you

Sure

It’s been 3 months since I returned from Kolkata.

We have tried every trick possible

with no effect on your insomnia

Why are you saying this?

It’s not fair that I keep getting paid, for doing nothing...

We need not give up so easily

Lets keep trying for a few more days

Anyway, you have nobody back home in Kolkata, why would you want to go back?

I am not going back to Kolkata

I am going to America to be with my son, Arindam

Capitalism wins

You won't be taking legal action against me, I hope

Tarini, do you know why I chose you over the others?

I’d rather not know.

I am already feeling embarrassed

I was hoping for a happy end to our story

Never mind. C’est la vie. Such is life!

Good artists copy,

great artists steal

It's Picasso who had said that. A great painter

May I

make one last request?

May I please get your magic wand?

You never know. Miracles do happen

So you got to know, eh?

We’re so much alike

The right person at the wrong place

You want to come to Kolkata with me?

You will get all the fish that you want

I won't take long

Keep an eye on my luggage

No one’s forcing you to go back

I like listening to stories too.

The Last Poem!

I think my time is up in Ahmedabad

And then, Devi has invited me to visit her at her farmhouse

Who's Devi?

Mahaswetha Devi, the great writer!

We met while we were in the university

She’d like to discuss her new book with me

Would you like to come along?

You’re back to torture the dead fish?

She died, longing for me.

I can see it in her eyes.

It is said-

Whoever the corpse gapes at, that's the killer

How much?

3 for 90 bucks

I’ll take 6!

So you have guests at home? Fish is for him?

Not him, the guest is a her

There you are, madam Amazing Kolkata

Here you go…

Eat your fill

If you were born here,

you’d have been at least a clerk by now!

Greetings

The Gujarati Kala Sansthan takes pride in

conferring this year’s citation on Mr Ratan Garodia.

At this age and in a short time span

He has managed to garner lot of fame

We’d like to felicitate him with a shawl and a memento

We would be honored...

if you could narrate an excerpt

from your latest story

I am told this is bound to become a classic some day....

- Good evening

My new story is about a boy who…

Excuse me

Sorry for the interruption

This may not be the place and time to say this,

but we’ve been reading all your stories with great interest....

And we have to ask you this question

Are all these stories your own creations?

I mean are they original?

Why do you ask?

Well, if that’s so, then we have an offer for you

We could meet after this event

May I read out the excerpt first

Sure

So the story goes like this...

Hello

Yes?

Thanks for joining us

We represent the Rabindranath Tagore Foundation

Here's what we have come for

Shri. Ratan Garodia

The Tagore Foundation

hereby files a legal suit against you Mr Ratan Garodia,

On serious charges of infringement of the

rights of Rabindranath Tagore’s works

For your act of writing

and passing off Tagore’s stories as your own

Damages are also being filed against you

and Gujarati Kala Sansthan for the publication

and printing of these stories, you will be fined 10 lakh rupees

on charges of plagiarising

You may choose to contest this in the Courts

or opt for out- of -court settlement by paying the said amount

What's going on?

I’ve been deceived

My lawyers will speak with you

Their attorneys believe that his earlier stories too

were ripped off from some original stories.

But since no author has come forward to claim them,

he appears to have escaped legal action earlier

You are a genius

Narrating Tagore’s tales to him as your own?

Why didn't you tell us about your plan?

Some sweet-meats taste best in winter.

A good story keeps the twist till the very end

Garodia failed to see

that even copying is an art that not everyone can master

Please

Don't get me wrong

I did all this

just for you.

I could have compromised with your business ethics

But I cannot be with a thief

Wish you all the best

In your business of writing Mr Garodia.

Sir

All zeroes intact sir

We miss your stories terribly

We’d love to have you back.

I ‘m done telling stories for free

Won't do it unless I am being paid

Look after her well

Goodbye!

What now sir?

I shall write

There is a storyteller in each of us….

- even you!

But where will you get your stories from?

Manik who is the real storyteller?

The one who narrates them or the one who writes them?

What are you writing?

An original story

Listen to this…

I’ve called it The Storyteller.

It’s called The Storyteller.

The Bengalis are a different breed altogether.

Once there was a storyteller in Bengal…

Tarini Bandhopadhyay

Will change the name later

He wouldn't pen down his own stories for many reasons

Lethargy, ignorance, fear of criticism...

-But Tarini was of a different mettle.

He was the storyteller

who was hired by a Gujarati cotton merchant to narrate stories

The irony was that Garodia, despite all his wealth,

couldn’t get sleep on the very cotton mattresses he manufactured

And he called for a

Bengali storyteller to change his life