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The Storyteller (2022) movie poster

Timeline

The Storyteller (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 112 mins · Hindi
Echo score 70
Directed by
Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
Starring
Adil Hussain, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Paresh Rawal, Revathi, Anindita Bose, Senjuti Roy Mukherji

After decades working in Kolkata's printing industry, Tarini reaches retirement and spends his days at home, having turned down his son's invitation to move to the United States. A friend then shows him a help‑wanted advertisement. Though he has never published a book, Tarini once entertained friends with invented tales in his youth, and the posting for a storyteller in Ahmedabad, far to the west, captures his imagination, prompting him to consider a new chapter.

Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Categories
  5. 5 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Storyteller Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Storyteller (2022) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Tarini's life and move to Ahmedabad

    Tarini Bandyopadhyay, a 60-something Bengali storyteller who loves fish and dislikes capitalism, has held 73 jobs and devoted his life to tales. He accepts a job as a personal storyteller for wealthy Ahmedabad businessman Ratan Garodia, moving to the city to begin a new chapter. The arrangement promises a generous payment for his unpublished works, drawing him into Garodia's insomnia-curing scheme.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  2. Ratan Garodia hires Tarini to cure insomnia

    Ratan Garodia claims he hasn't slept in three decades and seeks solace in comforting bedtime stories. Tarini accepts the position as his personal storyteller and relocates to Ahmedabad to begin nightly sessions. The arrangement sets the stage for a delicate power dynamic between a weary businessman and a wandering storyteller.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  3. Tarini begins nightly stories

    Each night, Tarini crafts spontaneous, amusing tales intended to lull Garodia into sleep. The improvised narratives reveal Tarini's creativity and wit, and the two men develop a routine around the storytelling ritual. The stories begin to shape Garodia's world more than his insomnia ever did.

    Where
    Ratan Garodia's residence, Ahmedabad

  4. Tarini explores markets and meets Suzie Fibert

    By day, Tarini roams fish markets and libraries, feeding his imagination with real-world textures. He befriends Suzie Fibert, a lively librarian who shares his love of books. Their bond adds a personal dimension to Tarini's stay in Ahmedabad.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  5. Garodia publishes Tarini's stories under Gorkhe

    Garodia, eager to gain literary prestige and control the narrative, starts publishing Tarini's tales under the pen name Gorkhe. The move earns Garodia recognition in intellectual circles and rekindles a romance with a widow named Revathy who values literary talent. Tarini remains largely unaware of the publishing venture and its true authorship.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  6. Tarini discovers his stories are being published without him

    Tarini notices a magazine featuring stories credited to Gorkhe, revealing that his work is being published without his consent. He realizes someone is appropriating his talent, yet he continues to work for Garodia, possibly out of gratitude or circumstance. The theft seeds a quiet anger that will later come to a head.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  7. Tarini remains loyal, as plagiarism continues

    Despite the theft, Tarini keeps delivering stories to Garodia, perhaps hoping for fairness or simply choosing to stay in the arrangement. The public exposure of his supposed genius under Gorkhe deepens Garodia's reputation and Tarini's uncertain status. The dynamic intensifies the tension between author and patron.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  8. Rabindranath Tagore Foundation exposes the theft

    Authorities from the Rabindranath Tagore Foundation reveal that Garodia has been copying Tagore's work, triggering a lawsuit and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. The revelation reframes Tarini's relationship to the published work and exposes Garodia's exploitation. Tarini's own role remains shadowed, as Garodia misattributes Tagore's stories as Tarini's original writings.

    Where
    Rabindranath Tagore Foundation event

  9. Tarini reveals the disguise and the ruse

    Tarini reveals that he tricked Garodia by narrating Tagore's stories, a ruse that Garodia mistook for Tarini's original work due to his ignorance of literature. The confession reframes their relationship and clarifies where art and theft intersect. The foundation's verdict confirms Tarini's moral complexity rather than simple innocence.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

  10. Tarini writes his own story with a meaningful pen

    In a concluding act, Tarini writes his own story about meeting Garodia, using a pen gifted by his late wife. The act symbolizes reclaiming authorship and a newly defined purpose as a storyteller. The pen itself becomes a tangible link to memory and identity.

    Where
    Tarini's writing space

  11. Garodia starts writing about Tarini

    Garodia, inspired by the affair and its lessons, begins writing about Tarini himself, pivoting from exploitation to mutual storytelling. The meta-narrative suggests two creators shaping each other's legacies. Their collaboration shifts from manipulation to a more honest exchange of ideas.

    Where
    Garodia's circle, Ahmedabad

  12. Both discover their true selves

    The film closes with Tarini and Garodia recognizing their own talents and vulnerabilities, realizing the power of storytelling beyond profit. They emerge with a new understanding of art, fame, and personal connection, implying future possibilities for their relationship as creators. The boundaries between teller and patron blur, leaving room for growth.

    Where
    Ahmedabad

Last updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:24

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Timeline questions answered

The Storyteller Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Storyteller (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Tarini accept the storytelling job in Ahmedabad?

After decades of working 73 different jobs, Tarini jumps at the opportunity because it finally allows him to use his greatest talent, storytelling, for paid work. Though he never published a book, he spent his youth entertaining friends with invented tales, and the chance to do this professionally in Ahmedabad represents a meaningful new chapter in his retirement.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Tarini at home, restless and purposeless after turning down his son's invitation to move to the US, establishing his need for meaningful work.

  • tarini
  • ahmedabad
  • job
  • storyteller
  • retirement
Q2

Why can't Garodia sleep and why do stories help?

Garodia claims he hasn't slept in three decades, and the weight of his wealthy but sleepless life has left him exhausted. The bedtime stories serve as a form of therapy, Tarini's spontaneous, lighthearted tales create a soothing ritual that helps quiet Garodia's restless mind and ease him into sleep.

  • garodia
  • insomnia
  • sleep
  • bedtime stories
Q3

Why does Garodia publish Tarini's stories under the name Gorkhe?

Garodia is a wealthy businessman with limited literary knowledge but a strong desire for intellectual prestige. Recognizing Tarini's storytelling talent, he appropriates the stories and publishes them under the pseudonym Gorkhe to gain recognition in intellectual circles and impress Saraswati, a widow who values literary merit.

  • gorkhe
  • pseudonym
  • plagiarism
  • publishing
  • garodia
Q4

Why does Tarini keep working for Garodia after discovering his stories were published without consent?

Tarini's decision to continue is layered, he feels gratitude toward Garodia for giving him this opportunity, takes pride in seeing his stories appreciated even under a false name, and perhaps hopes the situation would eventually resolve fairly. His quiet nature and need for purpose keep him in the arrangement despite the ethical violation.

  • tarini
  • loyalty
  • gratitude
  • plagiarism
  • discovery
Q5

Why did Tarini narrate Rabindranath Tagore's stories instead of his own original tales?

Tarini cleverly used Tagore's stories as a test and form of protection. Knowing Garodia lacked literary knowledge, Tarini narrated Tagore's works, which Garodia mistook for Tarini's original creations. When the truth emerged, it revealed that Garodia had been stealing not just from Tarini but from Tagore himself, exposing the full scope of his literary ignorance and theft.

  • tagore
  • stolen stories
  • trick
  • plagiarism
  • garodia
Q6

How did the Rabindranath Tagore Foundation discover the plagiarism?

The Foundation's authorities became suspicious of Garodia's published works and investigated their authenticity. They exposed that Garodia had been copying Tagore's actual writings, which triggered a lawsuit resulting in a Rs 10 lakh fine and public embarrassment for Garodia.

  • tagore foundation
  • lawsuit
  • plagiarism
  • discovery
  • fine
Q7

What is the significance of the pen Tarini uses to write his own story at the end?

The pen was gifted to Tarini by his late wife, making it a deeply personal object connected to his past and identity. By using this pen to write his own story about meeting Garodia, Tarini reclaims his authorship and transforms his storytelling from被动 (passive) narration for others into active self-expression, symbolizing closure and new creative purpose.

  • pen
  • late wife
  • authorship
  • symbolism
  • closure
Q8

Why does Garodia begin writing about Tarini after the truth emerges?

After the lawsuit and confrontation, Garodia experiences genuine transformation. Rather than continuing to exploit Tarini, he becomes inspired to write about the storyteller himself, shifting from appropriation to genuine creative exchange. This marks his shift from patron-consumer to fellow creator, acknowledging Tarini's real influence on his life.

  • garodia
  • writing
  • transformation
  • mutual storytelling
Q9

What draws Tarini to Suzy Fibert the librarian?

Tarini and Suzy share a natural affinity for books and curiosity about the world. Their connection represents Tarini's first genuine friendship in Ahmedabad, a bond formed through shared love of literature that mirrors his own passion for storytelling and gives him a personal anchor outside his professional arrangement.

  • suzy fibert
  • librarian
  • friendship
  • books
Q10

Why does Garodia's relationship with Saraswati factor into the story?

Garodia's romance with Saraswati, a widow who values literary talent, provides additional motivation for his publishing scheme. Her appreciation for the stories credited to Gorkhe encourages Garodia to continue the deception, as winning her respect became tied to his literary success.

  • saraswati
  • romance
  • garodia
  • publishing
  • motivation

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Storyteller, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Storyteller tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about late-life rediscovery like The Storyteller

Stories about elderly characters finding new purpose and meaning in their twilight years. Explore movies like The Storyteller that feature elderly protagonists on gentle journeys of self-discovery. If you appreciated the reflective tone and the theme of finding new purpose in retirement, these similar drama films about aging and new beginnings will resonate with you.

  • reflective
  • gentle
  • nostalgic
  • contemplative
  • quiet
  • hopeful
  • Tone: melancholic, reflective
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread follow a character in their later years, often after a significant change like retirement or loss. They face a quiet existential question about their remaining life's purpose and slowly, gently engage with a new opportunity or relationship that offers a sense of renewal, not through grand adventure but through subtle, personal connection.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here by their shared focus on the emotional landscape of aging, a gentle and reflective pacing, and a central theme of self-reinvention later in life. They share a melancholic yet hopeful tone and prioritize character depth over complex plotting.

The Storyteller movie poster

The Storyteller

2022
Last Orders movie poster

Last Orders

2001
Old Joy movie poster

Old Joy

2006
Life Dances On movie poster

Life Dances On

1937
Liberal Arts movie poster

Liberal Arts

2012
I'm Going Home movie poster

I'm Going Home

2002
Perfect Days movie poster

Perfect Days

2023
Walking Distance movie poster

Walking Distance

2015

Movies about creativity and legacy like The Storyteller

Character-driven stories about the personal cost and meaning of creative work. Discover films similar to The Storyteller that delve into themes of storytelling, artistic creation, and intellectual legacy. If you were captivated by the thoughtful exploration of a storyteller's purpose and the bittersweet nature of creative ownership, these movies about artists and their personal journeys will appeal to you.

  • contemplative
  • melancholic
  • bittersweet
  • reflective
  • quiet
  • thought-provoking
  • Tone: melancholic, bittersweet
  • Pacing: slow, patient
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often later in life, grappling with the meaning and impact of their creative output. Conflicts are internal and interpersonal, revolving around themes of inspiration, authorship, and the passing on of knowledge or stories, typically resolved with a sense of bittersweet acceptance.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by a shared contemplative mood, a moderate complexity arising from ethical or personal dilemmas around creativity, and a tone that is fundamentally melancholic as it examines the gaps between artistic ambition, personal fulfillment, and lasting legacy.

The Storyteller movie poster

The Storyteller

2022
The Last Screenwriter movie poster

The Last Screenwriter

2024
The Word movie poster

The Word

2014
Callas Forever movie poster

Callas Forever

2004
Uzumasa Limelight movie poster

Uzumasa Limelight

2014
Starting Out in the Evening movie poster

Starting Out in the Evening

2007
Copying Beethoven movie poster

Copying Beethoven

2006
Young Goethe in Love movie poster

Young Goethe in Love

2011

Categories

Movie Lists Featuring The Storyteller

The Storyteller appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories
Forgotten Clock Dramas movies

Forgotten Clock Dramas

Movies about clock keepers
Ship Captain Partnership Dramas movies

Ship Captain Partnership Dramas

Ship captain drama movies
Solo Long-Distance Journey Dramas movies

Solo Long-Distance Journey Dramas

Solo long-distance journey movies
Solitary Road Trip Films movies

Solitary Road Trip Films

Solitary road trip movies
Caretaker Quiet Dramas movies

Caretaker Quiet Dramas

Movies about caretakers and janitors

Every angle

The Storyteller (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Storyteller in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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