Mumbai

The Last Tenant, an unreleased film featuring Irrfan Khan from the early phase of his career, has finally premiered on YouTube after remaining shelved for over two decades. The 43-minute film, written and directed by Sarthak Dasgupta, was uploaded by production house The Salt Inc on April 29 as a tribute to Irrfan on his sixth death anniversary.

Completed in 2000, the film also stars Vidya Balan, who was then known for the TV show Hum Paanch. In a note accompanying the release, the makers described the project as a forgotten film made with “no budget, no guarantees, and only a vision,” featuring two performers before they became household names.

Vidya said watching the film finally reach audiences was surreal and recalled that it marked the only time she shared screen space with Irrfan. She described it as a reminder of the beginning of her acting journey and a fitting tribute to him.

According to the makers, the film remained unreleased after the original footage was lost. It was recently recovered when Dasgupta found a VHS copy. The director, known for 200 Halla Ho and Music Teacher, called the release an emotional and dreamlike moment, saying it felt like revisiting a forgotten chapter of his life.

READ MORE: Firdous Khan's journey is a blend of literature and journalism

Irrfan passed away on April 29, 2020, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital after battling cancer.