He told the Persian Service of Fars News Agency that Iranian director Puran Derakhshandeh suggested that he participate in the festival during her journey to India.

Negotiations have begun on a joint international production by Iran and India, Sippy mentioned.

Iran and India have many cultural commonalities which could lead to an opportunity for making a film with an international theme, he said.

He went on to say that he is familiar with Iran’s cinema and follows the work done by celebrated Iranian directors like Majid Majidi.

He pointed to originality in a film as one of the main factors in a film’s success saying that he always considers this factor in his judgments.

He said that a film should be able to establish a relationship with the rest of the world and also that veteran directors should support novices in filmmaking, he mentioned.

He went on to say that he was excited by the Iranian interest in his film “Sholay” saying that he is happy that he could visit this country.

“Sholay” (“Embers”) is the biggest hit in the history of Bollywood, India’s Hindi film industry. Released on 15 August 1975, it stars Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri and Amjad Khan.

The movie, shot in the rocky terrain of Ramanagara, Karnataka, is the story of two petty criminals hired to capture, for a bounty, a ruthless dacoit by the name of Gabbar Singh.

SB/YAW

END

MNA