Indian filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane’s new Marathi film “The Disciple” has been selected in the Competition section of the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival. This is the first Indian movie in nearly two decades to be selected in the main competition at the film festival. “The Disciple”, will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, where the film will also have its world premiere.

The Venice Film Festival will run from September 2 to 12. It will be the first mega international film event that will have a physical presence by maintaining physical distancing in the post-Corona virus pandemic world.

Chaitanya Tamhane’s “The Disciple” is a 127-minute long feature. It stars Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, and Kiran Yadnyopavit. It has been produced by Sir actor Vivek Gomber through his Zoo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

In 2014, Mr Tamhane’s directorial debut, “Court”, had premiered at the 71st Venice International Film Festival and won the Best Film in the Horizons category.

“I want to thank the Venice film festival for showing this faith in my work once again after Court. This is an important milestone for not just for us but also for the Indian independent cinema movement”, said Mr Tamhane.

“The Disciple” is not just the only Indian film to compete in the main competition section at Venice this year but also the first Indian film in nearly two decades to be selected in the main competition at one of the three major European film festivals: Venice, Cannes and Berlin.

The last Indian film to compete at Venice was Mira Nair’s “Monsoon Wedding”, which won the Golden Lion in 2001. “Over the last 76 years, the competition in Venice has showcased some of the absolute best films in cinema history,” said Mr Tamhane.

The film follows Sharad Nerulkar, who has devoted himself to becoming an Indian classical vocalist. Initiated into this centuries-old tradition by his father, he follows his dream with sincerity and discipline, committing himself entirely to his artistic journey. But as the years pass, Sharad is forced to negotiate between the complex realities of life in Mumbai and his chosen path.

Earlier also Tamhane received various awards such as Best Film at Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema, Best Asian Feature Film, Singapore International Film Festival, Silver Screen Awards for his Film “Court”.