Sandra Bullock in Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity that earned him an Oscar for Best Director in 2014

Chaitanya Tamhane never expected to get chosen for Alfonso Cuarón's mentorship programme. It seems the Gravity filmmaker had told the team behind the Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative, that he wanted to guide a female filmmaker from a third world country. The initiative launched in 2002 is known to pass on the artistic heritage to the next generation, from around the world, across fields. One cannot sign up for it without an invite. In fact, even to apply, you need an invite.