the Disciple
(Spoiler Alert)
This movie was on my list for a few days, but considering length exceeding 2 hours, the nature of the film, the acclamation received, I knew this was not another movie to be get over with and so waited till the right time. Movies like this, especially where Vivek Gomber is in the making, should be watched with utmost faithfulness. His hits like "Court" or "Is love enough Sir?" have a special audience. As someone has said, presenting the simplest most natural story is the hardest job for a filmmaker. I have talked little about technicalities of the film which I understood, but it would hardly be a fraction of what Chaitanya Tamhane actually did in the movie..
As the name suggests, the film is a gradual progress of a classical music vocalist to be like his Guru. The movie through its cinematography tells the story way more than through actual characters.
On one side we see that our lead constantly working over his art with complete surrender to his Guru. At the same time we go through his other real pain stricken life where he struggles on all fronts, his relationship with his family, especially mother, loneliness, burden of expectations from self and society, physical & mental needs, etc. To slightly unload the financial and societal position he works at his acquaintance shop who converts tapes and sells albums of very highly talented artists but not at all acclaimed. Even in a scene where our lead has set up a stall with collection of CDs of such converted tapes at a classical singers concert who he hates, a common presentee is seen scrolling through the collection. Finally he asks for CDs of famous singers. Lead tries to convince how artist in his collection were equally talented but never acclaimed. The presentee's mind-set proves how a large part of so called art lovers like their artist more than they like their art. We see this upto a point and after that cut to what he has become a few years later. His ideals and his efforts have made him a decently good and society accepted vocalist. He now has invitations to local programs on festivals. He has become commercial artist who he used to hate.
For most of the films, Chaitanya chose very wide shots almost entirely covering the room where scene is taking place, giving us an insight into entire world our character lives in. Very gradually he zooms in on our lead giving us further idea what and how he is in this world.
Amidst all this we, in particular segments of the film hear very valuable lessons from Maai. The entire cinematics changes as these scenes start and end. Obviously these scenes have much more deep well thought meaning but as I understand, for me these lessons lay a path ahead what our lead will have to go through just to even qualify to be called as a "vocalist", in real sense as meant by Maai. During these scenes the camera slows down with our lead always travelling alone, it's always nighttime, a slow tanpura plays in background just waiting for Maai to drop her wisdom. The pull in her voice, in every word she speaks is testament for the lifetime of her learnings. The switch and placement of these scenes too is done with great meaning . Most times the scenes are switched with a slow close as similar as one would close their own eyes and new scene is opened right on, like a little surprise.
Amidst all this we, in particular segments of the film hear very valuable lessons from Maai. The entire cinematics changes as these scenes start and end. Obviously these scenes have much more deep well thought meaning but as I understand, for me these lessons lay a path ahead what our lead will have to go through just to even qualify to be called as a "vocalist", in real sense as meant by Maai. During these scenes the camera slows down with our lead always travelling alone, it's always nighttime, a slow tanpura plays in background just waiting for Maai to drop her wisdom. The pull in her voice, in every word she speaks is testament for the lifetime of her learnings. The switch and placement of these scenes too is done with great meaning . Most times the scenes are switched with a slow close as similar as one would close their own eyes and new scene is opened right on, like a little surprise.
Another interesting part of the film is that the Executive Producer of the film is Alfonso Cuaron, a Mexican filmmaker. He discusses his take on the movie in an inside look shared by Netflix on YouTube. (Link is enclosed.)
Overall this movie is undoubtedly a masterpiece in many facets but for me like any other Vivek Gomber's movie the simplicity of the film and Chaitanya's world-class direction is what counted the most.
Happy Watching!
-ADDY