Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan has revealed why Mumbai became a key stop on the international promotional tour for his upcoming epic The Odyssey, saying he had wanted to bring his films to Indian audiences for years.
According to NDTV, Nolan arrived in Mumbai on Saturday with producer Emma Thomas and cast members Matt Damon and Tom Holland for the film’s promotional tour. Speaking at a press conference, the Oscar-winning director said the visit fulfilled a long-held ambition rather than being a last-minute addition to the campaign.
Looking back on his first trip to Mumbai, Nolan recalled visiting the city years ago at the invitation of his friend Shivendra to attend a conference on the future of cinema. He said the experience introduced him to the country’s filmmaking culture and left a lasting impression.
“I met a lot of filmmakers and really got to know a little bit about the film culture here,” he said.
Nolan also praised Indian audiences for their passion for cinema, describing their appreciation for films as unlike anything he had encountered elsewhere.
“I’ve never been anywhere in the world with an appreciation of what movies can be and what they should be for audiences. To me, it seemed crazy that we wouldn’t be bringing our films here to Mumbai for Mumbai audiences,” he said, adding that it was “an absolute thrill” to finally make the visit happen.
The director also reflected on filming in India, revealing that he has worked in the country on two occasions, in Mumbai and Jodhpur. He described both experiences as creatively fulfilling.
Nolan said he had originally planned to visit Mumbai during the release of Tenet, which was partially filmed in the city. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to cancel those plans.
