The Disciple

Executive produced by Alfonso Cuarón, Chaitanya Tamhane’s sublime Mumbai-set sophomore feature finds a classically trained musician both striving for and questioning the notion of excellence.

Having wowed international festival audiences with his acclaimed debut Court (LFF2014), Chaitanya Tamhane returns to the LFF with his mesmerizing second feature, presenting a radically original view of Mumbai where streets ebb and flow to the mesmeric sounds of classical ragas. Aditya Modak plays the student of an elderly sage (Arun David) who teaches a form of Indian classical singing. The old man pushes his apprentice to improve his voice and informs him that to achieve greatness he must forgo ego and a material life. This worldview troubles the student and it conflicts with the mindset of a city where, for many, the desire for fame and success is everything. Aided in no small part by lush cinematography and an unforgettable score, Tamhane’s drama offers up a compellingly complex examination of tradition, discipline, ambition and the creative impulse.

Screened as part of the strand Create supported by Mayor of London and Film London.