Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, who admires Satyajit Ray's work, says he feels he is more famous in India than in his own country.
"It is a great honour for me to be among the Indian artistes and all the Indian big names here. I knew Indian cinema through Satyajit Ray, and it was always my dream to make a film in India," the filmmaker said before the screening of his maiden India-set project Beyond The Clouds at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
The film, which introduces Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan, was the opening film at the film festival, which started on Monday and will go on till November 28.
Beyond The Clouds is said to highlight the sister-brother bond in a heart-warming way.
"There are many cultural similarities between Iran and India and I was looking for a chance to make a film here in India. So, after years it fortunately happened," said Madjidi, adding that it was wonderful to work with an all-Indian production crew. "The film was premiered at the London Film Festival, but for me the real premiere is tonight. I am so excited to see the film, with the Indian audience."