This article discusses the ending of the Netflix film The Disciple, so it will contain major spoilers.
As I highlighted in my review, Netflix’s The Disciple loves and respects the curation of Indian classical music and the dedication that devoted vocalists bring. It’s a film that layers the mastery of music and how it can embed in a person’s identity and life. However, at the crux of it, The Disciple is truly about happiness — was Sharad happy?
Netflix’s The Disciple – the ending explained
The lead character spends most of the film attempting to refine his vocals amongst different settings — the shots regularly zero in on the character. It’s easy to analyze his every thought. He wants to be a master, just like his master Guruji. His striving for perfection places the character into self-doubt and plenty of sacrifices (holding off marriage and a family), leading to many issues that bring an existential crisis.
After spending most of his life dedicating himself to his craft, Sharad reaches a conclusive point where he has to make a decision, which brings a touching and satisfying finish.
What happens next?
In the end, Sharad helps set up a company that maintains and progresses North Indian Classical music to reserver Alwar’s legacy. The company will be offering collections, music classes, and resources.
In the end, Sharad chose happiness — he had spent his entire life aiming for a goal that became more insurmountable as he got older, but in the end, I believe the character understood that the curation and preservation of the music itself are what made him happy, and thus, became more important to him. There’s more than one way to create a legacy.
What do you think of the ending of The Disciple? Comment below with your interpretations and opinions.
