Chaitanya Tamhane’s absolutely brilliant film The Disciple dropped on Netflix last week. While Netflix is presenting the film, its online film introduction comes with the statutory warning: “This movie is cerebral, understated.” Uff! This is appalling labelling, as if declaring a problem child, dissuading those who may otherwise have been delighted to discover it on their own.

The Disciple, in Marathi, on the struggles of a Hindustani classical musician to stay true to his art, entirely deserves all its awards and acclaim. Tamhane won Best Screenplay, and the film won the FIPRESCI International Critics’ Jury Award, at the Venice Film Festival last year, where it was the first Indian film in 20 years to make it to the Competition section. It also played at the Toronto and New York Film Festivals. It has the weight of multiple Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón (Roma, Gravity) as executive producer. The film is produced by Vivek Gomber’s Zoo Entertainment. Tamhane’s impressive debut Court had earlier won Best Film in the Orrizonti section, and Lion of the Future Award at the Venice Film Festival in 2014.