Irrfan Khan and Vidya Balan`s film which was shot nearly 25 years ago is now available on the internet. A rare piece of cinematic history has quietly found its way to audiences with the YouTube release of The Last Tenant. Written and directed by Sarthak Dasgupta, and produced by Neena and Sarthak Dasgupta, the film has now been unveiled as a tribute to Irrfan Khan on his death anniversary (April 29), making its long-delayed release even more emotional.
The Last Tenant is one of Vidya`s first films- probably her first movie after her brief television career. The Last Tenant also remains the only project in which she shared screen space with Irrfan Khan.
When Sarthak lost the original footage
The film remained unreleased for more than two decades. While waiting for the right platform to release it, Sarthak had reportedly lost the original footage, only to recently rediscover a VHS copy of the film. The project also marked Sarthak’s directorial debut, made shortly after he left his corporate career following his engineering and MBA studies to pursue filmmaking.
Sarthak later went on to direct projects such as the Netflix original Music Teacher, 200 Halla Ho starring Amol Palekar and Rinku Rajguru, and also created web series including Dharavi Bank.
Now available to viewers across the globe, the film offers a rare look at the early years of two performers who would later redefine acting in Indian cinema. Even in its raw and unfiltered form, one can spot the early signs of Irrfan’s understated brilliance and Vidya’s commanding screen presence.
Reflecting on the film’s long journey to release, director Sarthak Dasgupta said, “I was a novice with everything to learn. I hadn`t assisted anyone. I hadn`t been to film school. There was no Amazon to order books from. No YouTube to watch tutorials on. Fuelled by pure intuition, I had embarked on a journey, still unsure if it could become a career. Releasing this film now, as a tribute to Irrfan, makes it even more emotional. It feels like revisiting a forgotten dream.”
Vidya Balan on film`s YouTube release
Vidya Balan also shared her emotions on finally seeing the film reach audiences. “It feels surreal to see The Last Tenant finally reach audiences. I was just starting out, trying to find my footing…Working with Irrfan was incredibly special then and that much more now considering its the only time I got to share screen space with him.This film is a beautiful reminder of where it all began for me, and I’m glad it is being shared as a tribute to him”.
The film has been released under Sarthak’s banner, The Salt Inc.. Within just three days of its launch, the film has already garnered close to two lakh views on YouTube. For admirers of Irrfan Khan, The Last Tenant is more than just a rediscovered film, it stands as a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to an actor whose legacy continues to leave a lasting impact.
