Chaitanya Tamhane bags Best Screenplay prize at 15th Asian Film Awards for The Disciple

Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple has bagged the Best Screenplay prize at the 15th Asian Film Awards. The winners in 18 categories were announced on Friday at a ceremony hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in partnership with Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) and Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)  at the Paradise Hotel Busan.

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An elated Tamhane said, in a statement to the news agency Press Trust Of India (PTI), "It’s a terrific honour to be nominated, and then to win was like a double surprise. I am very happy that the film is being recognized internationally."

"Vivek Gomber [producer] is in South Africa shooting right now and I am really missing him. The lead actor recently turned father so he is busy with his responsibility. I will celebrate the moment with my friends and family. It is indeed a great honour," the filmmaker added.

This is the second win for Tamhane in the best screenplay category for The Disciple after Venice Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.

The film tells the story of an Indian classical vocalist, Sharad Nerulkar (Aditya Modak), who begins to question whether he will ever fulfil his dreams of excellence.

Other big winners at the Asian Film Awards were Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s wartime period drama Wife of a Spy (Japan), which received the Best Film award.

Chinese veteran Zhang Yimou picked up the best director trophy for his film One Second.  The film also earned actress Liu Haocun the Best Newcomer award. Aoi Yu and Koketsu Haruki won the Best Actress award and Best Costume Design awards respectively.