Bollywood stars hail The Disciple’s win at Venice Film Festival: ‘Proud moment for Indian cinema’

Director Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple is the first Indian film to have been selected in a major competition category at a European film festival in 20 years.

Bollywood personalities, including Richa Chadha, Manoj Bajpayee, Varun Grover Ali Fazal and Anurag Kashyap, have heaped praise on colleague Chaitanya Tamhane for his best screenplay win for The Disciple at the 77th Venice Film Festival and called it a landmark moment for Indian cinema.

The Disciple, written and directed by Tamhane, premiered last week at the prestigious festival, which became the first film fest to have taken place physically since the world underwent a coronavirus-induced lockdown.

The winners were announced late Saturday evening. The Disciple was the first Indian film to have been selected in a major competition category at a European festival in 20 years after Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding in 2001.

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While Anurag Kashyap expressed his happiness through a series of applause reactions, Richa Chadha wrote that The Disciple’s win was a moment of pride for the country.

“A moment of pride for India ! Thank you Chaitanya Tamhane, Gomber and all of you! Heart is happy ! #TheDisciple,” Richa wrote.

A thrilled Ali Fazal called it was a big win for Indian filmmakers. “I am just sooooo so so happy todayyy!!! INDIA CELEBRATE !!!!! #TheDisciple @la_Biennale!! Its a big win for filmmakers in India. Thank you #ChaitanyaTamhane for leading us yet again into the New Age. VivekGombar – you dear, are a force!!” the actor wrote.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, congratulating Chaitanya Tamhane, tweeted that this was a big victory for independent cinema in the country.

“Congratulations Chaitnaya Tamahane Vivek Gomber and the entire team of THE DISCIPLE!! Big win for the independent cinema in India.”

Varun Grover wrote, “BIG! Congratulations to the entire team. Thanks for making Indian cinema proud.”

Renuka Shahane also called The Disciple’s win a proud moment for Indian cinema. “Congratulations Chaitanya Tamhane, Vivek Gomber & the entire crew of The Disciple. Proud moment for Indian Cinema.”

Read ~ Venice Film Festival 2020: Winners list

Earlier at the fest, The Disciple, produced by Vivek Gomber and executive produced by Oscar-winning Alfonso Cuaron, won the FIPRESCI award, conferred by international film critics and journalists.