Satyajit Ray's films inspired 'Beyond The Clouds' director Majid Majidi to make film in India

Majid Majidi could have chosen any country to make a film when he decided to step out Iran. The director who is credited for spearheading the second new wave in Iranian cinema is known for path-breaking, award-winning films like Children Of Heaven, The Song Of Sparrows, Muhammad among others. His latest Beyond The Cloudsis an Indian story set in Mumbai with an Indian cast.

What drew Majidi to India for his new film? "One day I was thinking if I had to make a film outside Iran, where would it be? And India came as a naturtal choice as its diverse culture attracted me to this place," said the auteur while addressing the press in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Majidi was in the capital to promote his new film Beyond The Clouds with the lead actors- newcomers Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan.

A self-confessed fan of Satyajit Ray, Majidi also explained that how he got introduced to Indian culture through Ray's films. "Got introduced to Indian films through Satyajit Ray's films, I'd say. I decided to come here after watching his film and make a film here."

"In the past 8 years, Indians have followed me and my work. At various film festivals across the country- they have given feedback and love to my work over the years. And the idea of making a film here in this country was there for some time but my work commitments in Iran kept me busy. I was involved with other projects that were related to making profit. But in my last trip to India, I was searching for stories in Mumbai. Mumbai was ideal for my film as I find the city very dramatic," said the director.

The director who is known for telling thought-provoking, real stories sans melodrama, states he derives his stories from the society and the people in it. Which is why he chose Ishaan Khatter, Malavika Mohanan and Bengali filmmaker Goutam Ghose as his central characters.

Ishaan and Malavika had to give screen tests for their roles. Interestingly, Maajid had approached Deepika for Malavika's role but Majidi later decided not to include her in the film. "We shot in actual locations in Mumbai. It would have been difficult to shoot on the streets if Deepika was part of the film." And how did Ghose's casting come about, we asked. "I had watched some of Ghosh’s work and as you know he is a director and a good actor as well. When I saw his work as an actor, I felt his face matched the character I had written. We approached him and he accepted very kindly. His character may look small- but its a very important role in the film.I tried to use all the potential that was available in Indian film industry."

Majidi stated that through Beyond The Clouds, he's want to remind adults not to lose their innocence. "I have made films on children and on adults. But my films on children have been loved more. I think I use children's stories as a bridge to address the values of life. The values of kindness, honesty- the values disappear once we get old."

"As we get older, the society we live in, people, situations take away our innocence. Beyond The Clouds should serve as a reminder to adults to never lose one's innocence. Losing it leads to disasters, misbehaviour like wars in Syria and Iraq- and that's not what we want."

Beyond The Clouds has been written by Majidi and Vishal Bhardwaj has written the film's dialogues while AR Rahman has composed the film's music. It will release in theatres on 20th April.