Beyond The Clouds: Ishaan says his biggest experience was watching Majidi on sets

The Asian Age.

Entertainment, Bollywood

Ishaan Khatter is debuting with Majid Majidi's 'Beyond The Clouds', which is slated to release on March 23rd.

Majid Majidi and Ishaan Khatter.

Mumbai: Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, the helmer of masterpieces like 'Children of Heaven' and 'The Song of Sparrows', is now ready to show a human story with his upcoming film 'Beyond The Clouds'. Even though Deepika Padukone was snapped on the sets of this movie, the director went with fresh faces and ended up giving Shahid Kapoor's brother Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan their debut film.

Shot in real locations, 'Beyond The Clouds' is the story of a passionate brother, played by Ishaan, and his love for his altruistic sister Malavika.

The makers have released the movie's trailer in a new experience. Majidi spoke in Persian, and was accompanied by a translator. The stage was also equally shared by the producers, crew members and actors apart from Ishaan and Malavika.

Experience a new perspective of Mumbai in the trailer here:

'Beyond The Clouds' is more like a human story than any typical Bollywood film. Ishaan agreed to that and said at the trailer launch, "The movie, it is a very off-beat topic."

Filmmaker Majidi also added, "I like to focus on social subject and political issues. I want to value and focus on human stories."

His explanation for focusing on human stories was also quite valid. He said, "Cinema is different than newspapers. It shouldn't be time-bound but I focus on human values that can communicate with the audience."

He recalled a recent experience and said, "I made 'Children of Heaven' 8 years back, but a child recently told me how much he loved it. It was relatable."

Ishaan, at the event, couldn't stop expressing how big a fan of Majidi he was. The actor said, "My biggest experience was watching him (Majid Majidi) on sets."

Speaking about the unique auditioning for the director, Ishaan added, "Majid sir sent us to shoot at various places as an audition. You can consider it a project which we presented to him."

Musical maestro A.R. Rahman spreads his magic in the movie too. On him, Majid said, "I've worked with Rahman very closely for 2 years (on 'Muhammad'), and it's been a great experience."

"I believe one of the secrets of success of Rahman is he's very well-experienced, he's a professional but will work like a first-timer. During the project of Muhammad, I told Rahman it's not my taste, and he could easily accept that. Maybe 10 times that I asked, he graciously accepted. That's why he's a superstar," added Majidi.

On choosing his projects, A. R. Rahman said, "I want something to take me away from monotony. That's how I take up projects."

Rahman has also completed 25 years in the industry and has bagged various awards during his tenure. Looking at his journey, the musician said, "I've been lucky and blessed. And the journey continues."

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