Chaitanya Tamhane’s latest film, The Disciple, is being lauded for treading the path where few filmmakers have dared to go — into the world of Hindustani classical music. With his astute storytelling and protagonist Sharad Nerulkar’s journey, the director has shown how the pursuit of excellence in the field, considered almost sacred, can be deeply agonising and sometimes even fruitless. 

While some believe that the movie’s setting may appeal only to a niche audience, Tamhane argues that the central theme is universal. “It took me four years of continuous and dedicated work, including two years of research, to make The Disciple. The film doesn’t require any prior knowledge or familiarity with the world of Indian classical music. Its themes connect to emotions I have found to be universal in life, no matter where in the world. For me, the viewer’s gradual discovery of this world is a big part of the narrative. I definitely didn’t have an audience of experts in mind when telling this story,” he shares.