Alfonso Cuarón becomes executive producer for Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple

Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón has joined Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple as executive producer.

The Marathi film, produced by Vivek Gomber’s Zoo Entertainment, will have its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival next month where it will be screened in competition.

Cuarón, director of Gravity (2013) and Roma (2018), said in a statement, “I met Chaitanya through a mentorship programme where I had the opportunity to watch his very superb debut film, Court (2015). I was immediately impressed by his sense of cinema and fearless confidence to tell stories.

“He was part of most of Roma’s process and I jumped to the opportunity to be part of the process of his second film The Disciple. I believe Chaitanya is one of the most important new voices of contemporary cinema,” he continued.

Tamhane was handpicked by Cuarón for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative programme before he began shooting for Roma.

Tamhane shared his excitement over the legendary filmmaker coming on board The Disciple.

“It’s a bit surreal and an incredible honour for me to have one of the most recognized and acclaimed filmmakers in the world be part of The Disciple,” the young filmmaker said. “In some ways, this validation from Alfonso Cuarón is even more meaningful to me than any prize or award.

"Alfonso has been an invaluable friend and guide to the film from a very early stage, and his coming on board as executive producer is yet another expression of his faith in The Disciple.”

“I do also admit to feeling some pressure and a big responsibility, now that Alfonso is putting his name on the line for us and our collaboration! I'm also just excited and awed to have one of the foremost practitioners of the art form take an interest in my work, and be so generous towards The Disciple,” he added.

“For someone like Alfonso to believe in our work and to attach his name to our film fills me with a huge sense of pride, on behalf of our entire cast and crew, and all those who contributed and sacrificed to make this film,” producer Gomber said.

The Marathi feature follows Indian classical music vocalist Sharad Nerulkar, who has diligently been a model student in his field. But as time goes by, he begins to question his path and whether the excellence he seeks is achievable.

The Disciple, which will also be screened as one of the titles at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, is the first Indian film since Monsoon Wedding (2001) to be in competition at Venice.

The film’s North American rights will be sold by Endeavor Content while New Europe Film Sales is its international sales agent.