Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple to be screened at VIFF

Chaitanya Tamhane is all set to witness the premiere of his latest offering The Disciple at the Venice International Film Festival. The film follows the journey of a would-be vocalist who struggles to find a balance between the centuries-old traditions with contemporary Mumbai.

Venice:Acclaimed writer-director Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple is the first Indian movie in nearly two decades to be selected in the main competition at the Venice International Film Festival.

The last Indian film to compete at Venice was Monsoon Wedding by Mira Nair, which won the Golden Lion in 2001.

The Disciple dives into the world of Indian classical music to follow a would-be vocalist as he works to achieve his lifelong dream, struggling to balance centuries-old traditions with contemporary Mumbai.

Speaking about the film's storyline, Sharad Nerulkar, played by Aditya Modak, devotes himself to becoming an Indian classical vocalist, a lifelong quest in which few succeeds. Initiated into the centuries-old tradition by his father, he follows his dream and commits himself entirely to his artistic journey. As he strives to attain the highest level of his craft, Sharad traces his way through the hallowed mysteries and rituals of past musical legends.

But as the years pass, Sharad is forced to negotiate between the complex realities of life in contemporary Mumbai and his chosen path, leading him to find his true voice in music and life.

33-year-old Tamhane took two years to carefully research his subject, attending concerts and interviewing musicians. The film took four years to make.

As with his 2014 debut feature Court, which took a swipe at the Indian legal system through the trial of an ageing folk singer, The Disciple reflects Tamhane's concerns about people being socially conscious rather than insular.

Court won Best Film in the Orizzonti section at the 2014 Venice International Film Festival.

The 77th Venice International Film Festival is set to take place this September.