The Disciple trailer: Chaitanya Tamhane’s second film is also rooted in reality

Filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane had portrayed the stark reality of how lower courts function in India in his acclaimed debut film Court (2015).

His second Marathi feature film, The Disciple (2020), is based on Indian classical music. Despite the nature of the subject, this film also appears to be rooted in reality, as seen in its trailer, which was released today.

The short trailer suggests that the film revolves around an aspiring singer, Sharad Nerulkar (Aditya Modak), who belongs to a middle-class family in Mumbai. He has been learning classical music since childhood and is eager to scale new heights in the art form. Sharad has his share of struggles and challenges, which he is required to overcome. 

Even from the trailer, it is obvious that Tamhane has presented a realistic picture of the protagonist’s life in an artistic form. The otherwise ordinary visuals of Sharad sitting in his simple apartment or riding his bike on a deserted flyover in the city are realistic.

Tamhane had cast non-regular artistes in Court and he has done the same here by casting established classical music singer Aditya Modak in the role of Sharad. Modak certainly looks in character in the trailer.

International filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón is the executive producer of the film. Tamhane went through a mentorship programme with the Mexican filmmaker during the making of Roma (2018), where he had the opportunity to closely observe the iconic director at work.

The Disciple represents India at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, which is underway. The film will also be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and The New York Film Festival.

Watch the trailer below and let us know if you would like to watch the film.