MUMBAI: Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke says actor-director Raj Kapoor’s “Awaara” had a great impact on him and he likes the movie so much that he even sings its title track.
“When I was young I had seen ‘Awaara’ and the film had great impact on me. Till date I remember that film. Throughout the day I was singing ‘Awaara Hoon’ song as I am in India,” Jia said in an interview here.
“The film showed equality and it’s good. This film made us think that we all our equal. The respect towards the poor people made me think (about such people),” added the director. For Jia, Kapoor was a great actor. “Raj Kapoor is a fabulous actor. Its like a silent film Raj Kapoor had less dialogues but he did well,” he added. “Awaara” helmed by Raj Kapoor, who also essays the lead role, was a hit. Jia said films like “3 Idiots”, “PK” are seen by more people in China. “I have recently seen ‘3 Idiots’ and I liked it. I would like to see more Indian art films, they are less promoted. I would like to see art, realistic films,” he added. Sonu Sood and Jackie Chan have teamed up for a film titled “Kung Fu” and Chinese actress Zhu Zhu will be seen in Salman Khan starrer “Tubelight”. And Jia is glad that Indian and Chinese artists are working together. “I have heard about these films, it’s good that we are working together. We are working on a film called ‘Journey to the West’ where west refers to India, it’s an ancient novel. “We would like to collaborate (with India) for this film as a producer. We haven’t decided the director yet we will soon finalise,” said Jia. Jia, who is here for the 18th edition of MAMI festival, would be conferred with the excellence in cinema international award, this evening. “I am interested in Indian religion, I want to understand religious philosophy of India. India is a country of many languages and this also fascinates me,” Jia said. This is Jia’s maiden visit to India and during his stay in the megapolis he is looking forward to see Elephanta caves. Besides this, he has expressed his desire to gorge on Indian curries. “I have heard there are lot of different kind of curries being made in India so I would like to try that,” he said.—PTI
