India has brilliant talent, but they get no chance, says Majid Majidi
India’s film industry should ensure that the country’s young talent is not stifled, Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi said during the ongoing 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). His first India-set film Beyond the Clouds — an Indo-Iranian coproduction — was screened as the opening film in IFFI.
“In India, cinema is like an industry. Young generations do not have chances for innovation in order to express themselves because of the shadow of the industry. I have found out that in India you have brilliant talent but they do not have the chance,” said Majidi, before adding, “We should create a situation where they can express themselves and even make changes in the cinema.”
He said that if young and talented people do not get a chance to express themselves, they hit a “dead end”.
For Beyond The Clouds, which introduces actors Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan, Majidi has once again collaborated with Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. They previously worked together for the movie Muhammad: The Messenger of God (2015).
Majidi said he loves Rahman’s scores but loathes his work hours. “Only problem was that Rahman works from night till morning. It was the biggest challenge with Rahman,” Majidi said, and added, “Rahman is very flexible. It’s a very good feeling when someone listens to criticism and accepts it.”