Lunchbox Director Feels Cinema & Sports  Need Encouragement From Indian Government

In spite of Satyajit Ray, Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta, Irrfan Khan and Priyanka Chopra, why is Indian cinema not sanctioned a global respectability as yet?

Ritesh Batra who made The Lunchbox, the most globally celebrated Indian film in recent times,  feels  Indian cinema needs more support from the Indian government. “Indian actors like Irrfan, Nawazuddin, Naseer, Priyanka, now Deepika are being recognized globally. But I think there’s a lot to be done. I think there has to be more support from the Indian government for both movies and sports.”

Ritesh is proud of what India has achieved in  sports. “At the Olympics this year we won a few medals. I think it’s truly commendable ,given the lack of resources.That fine American  actor Bruce Dern  who is part of  my film Our Souls At Night used to be an athlete. He was talking about how admirable it is for Indian athletes to make it in the Olympics. Similarly for films like The Lunchbox to travel so far is not easy.There is a lot more work to be done before we are recognized globally.”

Ritesh plans to make another  film in India soon. “My next film is set in India.Right now I am here in Colorado shooting  for Our Souls At Night.We complete all shooting by the end of the year.”