Mumbai: She has screened many Bollywood movies at BFI London Film Festival and the fest’s director Clare Stewart says Irrfan is the most terrific among the contemporary Indian actors.
Stewart played Meghna Gulzar’s Irrfan-Konkona Sen Sharma starrer “Talvar” at the film festival and said she became a fan of the “Jazbaa” actor yet again after his acclaimed “The Lunchbox”.
“We just played Guilty (Talvar) at the film festival there. Irrfan is such a terrific actor, it’s always a pleasure to see him inhibit his roles. We were very impressed with his ‘The Lunchbox’ a couple of years ago.
“I am a big fan of the film. Irrfan is someone who understands nuance and embodies his roles, its really great,” Stewart told PTI.
Australia-born Stewart, who first headed Sydney Film Festival, is on the jury of India Gold at the 17th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
She is intrigued by the regional films of India and says many directors have both, national and international sensibilities of filmmaking.
“I am intrigued not only by the diversity of the regional films I’ve seen here but also the styles. Some of the filmmakers work have a strong awareness of not only Indian filmmaking heritage but also international.”
Stewart also noted that the Indian audience is “appreciative and well informed” of the cinema which might not get a release in the country.
“Film festival like these play a huge role as they are the only places where emerging filmmakers can come and see films from around the world that don’t get released in India. You get a palpable sense that the audiences here is very hungry for these films and very appreciative and well informed here.”
PTI