The Disciple - 31st July

 ‘THE DISCIPLE’,

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY CHAITANYA TAMHANE

AND PRODUCED BY VIVEK GOMBER

ALFONSO CUARÓN BOARDS ‘THE DISCIPLE’ AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Main announcement

4-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón set as Executive Producer on THE DISCIPLE, written and directed by Chaitanya Tamhane and produced by Vivek Gomber of Zoo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

THE DISCIPLE has been selected as one of only 50 titles in the Official Selection of the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, after being selected to have its historic World Premiere at the 77th Venice International Film Festival as the first Indian film since 2001 to be in competition.

Endeavor Content to sell North American rights and New Europe Film Sales boards the film as international sales agent.

Alfonso Cuarón

Alfonso Cuarón is a Mexican film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, and editor. He has been nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won four, including two Best Director awards for GRAVITY (2013) and ROMA (2018). He is the first Latin American director to receive the award for Best Director. His other notable films include CHILDREN OF MEN (2006), HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004), Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN (2001), and A LITTLE PRINCESS (1995).

Alfonso Cuarón - Quote

Cuarón said: “I met Chaitanya through a mentorship program where I had the opportunity to watch his very superb debut film, COURT. 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.”

Chaitanya Tamhane - Quote

“It’s a bit surreal and an incredible honour for me to have one of the most recognised and acclaimed filmmakers in the world be part of THE DISCIPLE. 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.”

Vivek Gomber - Quote

“It is unbelievable for me to have someone like Alfonso be involved in our film. He is an institution in himself and he has been just stellar. His faith in the film and his humility have taught me a lot. 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.” 

The Disciple (Marathi Feature Film) - Logline

Sharad Nerulkar has devoted his life to becoming an Indian classical music vocalist, diligently following the traditions and discipline of old masters, his guru, and his father. But as years go by, Sharad starts to wonder whether it’s really possible to achieve the excellence he’s striving for. A journey of devotion, passion, and searching for the absolute in contemporary Mumbai. 

Alfonso Cuarón and Chaitanya Tamhane 

Chaitanya Tamhane met Alfonso Cuarón after being handpicked by the ROMA director for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative program, in which Cuarón personally selected only one filmmaker to participate. 

About Zoo Entertainment

Zoo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., founded by Vivek Gomber, is an independent film production company dedicated to producing artistic endeavours in India. In 2014 the company produced their first film, COURT directed by Chaitanya Tamhane. The film premiered at the 71st Venice Film Festival, where it won the Lion of the Future award for Best Debut and the Orizzonti award for Best Film. COURT went on to win numerous awards around the world including the Indian National Award for Best Film in 2015 and was India’s entry to the 88^th Academy Awards.

THE DISCIPLE, written and directed by Chaitanya Tamhane and produced by Gomber, is their second collaboration under Zoo Entertainment. The film was awarded the Sundance Institute Open Borders Fellowship presented by Netflix. The film will have its World Premiere at the 77th Venice Film Festival in competition.

About Endeavor Content

Endeavor Content is a global leader in the development, financing and sales of premium film, television, theater and audio content. Endeavor Content seeks to facilitate more ownership and creative freedom for artists, creators and production companies in an ever-evolving media landscape. Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company.

About New Europe Film Sales

Jan Naszewski’s Warsaw-based boutique world sales company selling quality feature films and shorts from all over the world. The company’s catalogue includes award-winning and widely-sold films, such as Rams, A White, White Day, Corpus Christi, Summer 1993, Sweat, Under the Tree, Winter Brothers, The Last Family, United States Of Love, Pity, Loveling and The Load - all selected for Cannes, Berlin, Venice, TIFF, Sundance, Locarno. New Europe also has a slate of family animations and picks up 1-2 animations per year. In late 2018 New Europe became part of NEM Corp – a creative collaboration hub which includes the companies of Ewa Puszczyńska (producer of Ida and Cold War) and Klaudia Śmieja (producer of Claire Denis' High Life and Agnieszka Holland's Mr. Jones) and New Europe.