Irrfan Khan, Vidya Balan Unreleased Film ‘The Last Tenant’ Releases on YouTube After 25 Years
Produced by Neena and Sarthak Dasgupta the film has been released as a tribute to Irrfan Khan on his death anniversary, adding a layer of poignancy to its long-awaited release.
A remarkable piece of cinematic history has resurfaced with the quiet release of The Last Tenant on YouTube, an unreleased film shot nearly 25 years ago, starring a young Irrfan Khan and Vidya Balan. Written and Directed by Sarthak Dasgupta, and Produced by Neena and Sarthak Dasgupta the film has been released as a tribute to Irrfan Khan on his death anniversary, adding a layer of poignancy to its long-awaited release.
Believed to be among Vidya Balan’s earliest works, possibly her very first film after her brief stint in TV, The Last Tenant is the only film to have the on-screen collaboration between her and Irrfan Khan.
The film had remained shelved for over two decades as Sarthak, while waiting to find a release, had lost the footage of the film, until recently when he found a VHS copy of the same. This is also Sarthak’s debut film. He had just decided to become a filmmaker after quitting his corporate job after his Engineering and MBA. Later Sarthak went on to make films like the Netflix original, ‘Music Teacher’, Amol Palekar and Rinku Rajguru starrer ‘200 Halla Ho’, and creating Web Series like ‘Dharavi Bank’ and others.
Now available to audiences worldwide, the film offers a fascinating glimpse into the formative years of two actors who would go on to redefine performance in Indian cinema. Even in its raw, unpolished form, viewers can trace the beginnings of Irrfan’s signature restraint and Vidya’s compelling 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, too, expressed a deep sense of nostalgia upon the film’s release. “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 the aegis of Sarthak’s company, ‘The Salt Inc.’. Within 3 days of launching, the views of the film in YouTube is almost touching 2 Lacs. For fans of Irrfan Khan, the release carries an added emotional weight. Marking his death anniversary, The Last Tenant becomes more than just a rediscovered film, it stands as a heartfelt homage to an actor whose legacy continues to resonate deeply.
