Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf says Mahatma Gandhi's fan following is not only restricted to India and he is also popular in war-affected Iran where the current generation is a huge admirer of his principle of non-violence.
The 'President' helmer, who became a staunch follower of Gandhian thoughts, said he loves coming to India for two reasons - diverse culture and Mahatma Gandhi.
"I love India primarily for two reasons. First there are so many diverse cultures and languages here, which I really miss in Iran. Second is Mahatma Gandhi. His principle of non-violence is popular in Iran decades after the revolution," the filmmaker, who was imprisoned for five years when he was 17, told PTI on the sidelines of IFFI.
Asked if he would ever make a film on Gandhi, Makhmalbaf said, "I would love to. Making a film about Gandhi is not telling story of him but to find soul of Gandhi. Each one of us has Gandhi in our heart."
The 57-year-old filmmaker initially believed that the philosophies of Argentinean Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara and Gandhi are same but his perception changed later.
"Through art I experienced Gandhi. Before that I felt that Gandhi are Che Guevara are same. Emotionally they are some but strategically they are not same," said Makhmalbaf, who read around 2000 books in two years during his imprisonment days.
Makhmalbaf also credited Indian Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray for making him love India.
"I found the soul of India in 'Pather Panchali'. He showed me India in a better way than my own visit to the country," he said.
The filmmaker, who was accompanied by his director wife here, feels cinema is a strong medium and can change the world.
"I always showcased poor people in my film because I was very poor. I did 13 different jobs as a kid to earn money for my family. I feel cinema has the power to bring a change in a society," he said.
