Charles Dickens's novel, "A Tale of Two Cities" and the cinematic adaptation featuring Ronald Colman inspired Sinha to get involved in film-making. Tapan Sinha went to London in the 1950s to learn film-making. On reaching London, he contacted CryHearsth, Manager of Pinewood Studios. Through his help, he managed to obtain his first assignment. He got to work in director Charles Cryton's unit as a Sound Engineer. Cryton, who made some British comedies like The Lavender Hill Mob etc. was then working for a film called "The Hunted". Sinha started as a sound recording engineer and gradually shifted to directing.