India is investing more money into production of movies in the last few years under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, said the legendary Hollywood actor and film producer Michael Douglas in an interaction with media at IFFI 54, Goa today. Michael Douglas will be bestowed with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony of 54th IFFI tomorrow.
The iconic actor further said that this is the best time for Indian cinema industry, and the representation of more than 78 foreign countries in IFFI 54 is the reflection of its strength. “Indian films are renowned all around the world and are travelling more and more to various corners of the world. Streaming platforms are playing an important part in this growth”, he added.
Highlighting the role of movies in uniting the world, Douglas said that movies share same language and brings us closer together. “The audience from all around the world can understand what is going on in movies. Movies create this international connection. This is the magic, beauty and joy of this industry and that’s why I love this business very much,” he shared.
Sharing his joy on being awarded the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, the two time Academy award winner said that it is a tremendous honour to receive this prestigious award. In a recollection of his college days, he candidly shared that he had studied the works of Satyajit Ray like Pather Panchali and Charulata in his film course and getting an award named after him is special. “Ray’s pictures were so interesting and they portrayed reality. The greatness of Ray is that he was not only a director, but also a writer, film editor, musician, all at the same time,” he reminisced.
Praising Indian film RRR’s success in Oscars, Michael Douglas said that it is a spectacular achievement for India and it will boost confidence and encourage industry to craft many more such big films.
Speaking about his father Kirk Douglas, acclaimed American actor and filmmaker, the five time Golden Globe Award winner said that stepping out of his father’s shadow took a very long time. “During earlier part of my career, I was playing softer kind of roles. People used to compare me with my father. Winning Academy award nomination for the movie Wall Street was a tremendous moment. It was a validation received from my peers”, he candidly shared.
Reinforcing his liking for content than budget, Michael Douglas clarified that while selecting a film, material is the most important thing for him.” I will prefer something that emotionally moves me. I would rather play a small part in a good movie than a big part in a bad movie”, he said. On his plans of venturing in Indian film, Douglas remarked that Producer Shailendra Singh is working on an outline of the script in which he is interested.
Michael Douglas’s wife and the multi-award winning actress Catherine Zeta Jones who also joined the media interaction said that India is very dear to her heart and family. Sharing a personal connection with India, Catherine shared a story of an Indian doctor saving her life when she was 18 months old.
The BAFTA Award winning actress also revealed her love for Indian films and expressed her interest to be part of Bollywood films. Talking about Indian movies, “The Lunchbox is one of my favourite Indian movie. I watched it twice back to back. The film really touched me”. She also shared her liking for the Bollywood movie Om Shanti Om which she has watched many time with her family and friends.
The National Award winning producer and founder of Percept Ltd., Shailendra Singh was also present on the occasion. He remarked that “life is incomplete without cinema,” reflecting on his long journey of 25 years in the film business.1