‘Real life missing in Indian films’

As someone who counts Satyajit Ray as a huge influence, Majid Majidi decided to set his latest film Beyond the Clouds in Mumbai streets, which, he believes, are full of incredible heroes trying to lead a life of dignity in the face of struggle. The Iranian director has always been fascinated with Ray’s cinematic outlook and how his heroes come from everyday life, something that he feels is missing in Indian cinema today.

“Satyajit Ray’s films had an effect on me. They inspired me to follow a certain interpretation of life. And I would like to influence the younger generation. In Pather Panchali, there is a respect that he has for his hero, even in the poverty. His heroes come from this class of society and they are trying for life,” Majidi said.

Dream come true

The director says it was a dream come true to set one of his films in India, which, he believes, is culturally very close to Iran. “I always wanted to make a film in India as it is a dramatic country with dramatic locations. The streets and the alleys of Mumbai are full of stories, something that you can’t find anywhere else. I always wondered why we do not see such kind of stories in Indian cinema. Apart from Satyajit Ray, Shyam Benegal and Mira Nair, you rarely find these stories in the cinema here.”

Majidi has always been curious to explore other cultures and people. — PTI