“I had proposals from several Indian producers to make a film in their country, but I viewed them as highly risky since I knew very little about Indian culture,” Majidi said during a workshop organized at the 36th Fajr International Film Festival on Saturday.

“I feel a strong affinity between Indian and Iranian cultures but I had to increase my knowledge of the Indian culture in order to make my film’s story believable,” he added.

He said he hired all members of his cast and crew except his assistant from India. “The Bollywood cinema has its unique rules and we must follow their rules if we want our film to do very well at the box office,” he added.

According to Majid, exterior scenes in many Indian films are shot at large studios that they have. However, he chose to film the exterior scenes of his movie outdoors in Mumbai.

He described Mumbai as a very crowded city where horns are blaring constantly. “I wanted to make my film in a real place consequently shooting lasted for over seven months on location in the heart of Mumbai,” he said.

Starring Ishaan Khattar, Malavika Mohanan and Sharada, “Beyond the Clouds” tells the story a young boy, Amir, and his sister, Tara, in Mumbai. When on the run from the cops, Amir finds his estranged sister, who in a bid to protect her brother lands in jail. Their entire lives are clouded by despair when, unexpectedly, the light shines on them from beyond the clouds.

Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman who collaborated with Majidi in “Beyond the Clouds” and “Muhammad: The Messenger of God” is scheduled to arrive in Iran on Tuesday to hold a workshop during the Fajr International Film Festival.

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Majidi’s latest drama “Beyond the Clouds”, which had its world premiere at the BIF London Film Festival this October, will go on screen at the festival, the organizers have announced.

The Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman who has collaborated with Majidi in this movie as well as the Indian movie producer Vibha Chopra are also expected to attend the event.

“Beyond the Clouds”, which is set in the slums of Mumbai, tells the story of Aamir, a teenage roustabout who is trying to save his jailed sister. Ishaan Khattar made his acting debut as Aamir in this movie.

Majidi is mostly known for his Oscar-nominated “Children of Heaven”.

Talks with directors and producers such as Hungarian film director Bela Tarr and American filmmaker Bobby Roth are also included in the festival, which will screen 107 movies from 39 countries.

Photo: Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi shoots “Beyond the Clouds” in Mumbai in an undated photo.

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The project which is scheduled to go on floors next year, is titled ‘Gold Mine’, ndtv.com reported.

The Oscar-nominated director said ‘the ambience of India’ and ‘wonderful relationship between humans and nature’ inspired him to shoot his next film in the Asian country.

“The ambience of India is magical and incomparable… there exists a wonderful relationship between humans and nature. The undying spirit of people and their hope for life, in spite of all hardships, is unbelievable,” Majidi said in a statement.

“All these inspire me to shoot my next film in India as well and be the narrator of this effort by [Indian] men, women and children whose love for life encourages them to stay strong and rise over and above any hurdles that come in their path,” he added.

Majidi said he has always “believed that India has so many stories to tell with its myriad of cultures and people from different milieu”.

With the film, he will be collaborating with producers Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora for the second time, under their banner of Namah Pictures.

“I am going to collaborate on this film like my previous film with Shareen and Kishor at Namah pictures who are very professional in their approach,” he said.

A source said ‘Gold Mine’ is based on a subject that came to Majidi during his frequent visits to north India, adding he has been developing the idea and recently visited the location where his story is based for further planning and recce.

“It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Majidi for the second time. We share a common thought that India is a virtual gold mine of compelling stories that have a global connect and we are very happy taking India to the world,” Kedia said.

To this, Arora added, “The casting for the film begins in two months from now and we’ll be going on floors mid-2018.”

Meanwhile, Majidi’s ‘Beyond the Clouds’ will have a world premiere at the forthcoming 61st BFI London Film Festival. ‘Beyond the Clouds’ is an official selection in the competition category, which will take place on October 13 and 14.

Featuring actor Shahid Kapoor’s brother Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan in lead roles, the film covers the nuances of an adorable brother-sister relationship, and has been completely shot in India.

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