27 November 2023, IFFI Premises: In an interview with the media at 54th IFFI, Goa today, legendary Hollywood actor and film producer Michael Douglas communiquéd "India has been investing more money in the film industry in recent years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur. Michael Douglas will receive the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award tomorrow, marking the conclusion of the 54th IFFI. And my family and I celebrated the news together, looking forward to our trip to India together."
Swati Bhat
Photograph by Pritish Bagdi
The renowned actor went on to say that the Indian film industry is thriving at the moment, and that IFFI 54's participation of over 78 foreign nations is evidence of this. Indian films are well-known worldwide and are increasingly being shown in other countries. Streaming services are a major factor in this expansion, he continued.
Douglas emphasised how films bring people together by highlighting how they speak the same language and foster global unity. "People who see films from all around the world can grasp what's happening in them. This transnational connection is forged by films. I adore this business so much because this is the charm, beauty, and joy of it," he said.
The two-time Academy accolade winner expressed his happiness at receiving the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, saying it is a great pleasure to be given such a prestigious accolade. When reflecting on his undergraduate years, he openedly admitted that he had studied films by Satyajit Ray, such as Pather Panchali and Charulata, for his film course, and that's why it's significant to have an award named after him. "Ray captured reality in his fascinating and realistic photographs. Ray said, "What makes him so remarkable is that he was not just a filmmaker but also a writer, film editor, and musician at the same time.
Michael Douglas emphasised again how much he values content over money when choosing a movie, saying that material is what matters most to him."I'd much rather be moved by something on an emotional level. He declared, "I would rather have a small role in a good movie than a major part in a bad movie." Regarding his intentions to get into the Indian film industry, Douglas mentioned that producer Shailendra Singh is currently working on a screenplay idea that piqued his interest.
Catherine Zeta Jones, the multi-award winning actress and wife of Michael Douglas, stated that her family and she hold India in the highest regard during their media appearance.
The BAFTA Award-winning actress also talked about how much she loves Indian films and how she would like to work in Bollywood productions. When it comes to Indian films, The Lunchbox is among my favourites. I saw it twice in succession. I was deeply moved by the movie. She also mentioned how much she enjoyed the Bollywood film Om Shanti Om, which she had seen numerous times with her son Dylan Michael Douglas. Dylan, who was also shown at the press conference, acknowledged that, while he enjoyed the films of Bollywood, some of them are too long to watch repeatedly.
Shailendra Singh, the creator of Percept Ltd. and winner of a National Award, was also in attendance on this particular occasion. He said, "Life is incomplete without cinema," considering his extensive 25-year career in the motion picture industry.
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