```htmlFilmmaker Christopher Nolan, celebrated for transforming the film industry with works such as Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer, has a fascinating and profound connection with India that transcends mere scenic locations. As the Academy Award-winning director marks his birthday on July 30, it’s a good time to reflect on his remarks about Hindi cinema being 'essential' and how he juxtaposed it with Hollywood films.

For those unfamiliar, the director has filmed segments of two of his movies in India, The Dark Knight Rises and Tenet. The former featured scenes shot at the stunning Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, while Tenet brought him back to India, showcasing the lively streets and skyline of Mumbai.
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However, Nolan’s ties to India extend beyond just filming sites. In a 2020 interview with IANS, he conveyed his profound respect for Bollywood. He referred to Hindi films as “essential” to the cinematic experience, contrasting them with Hollywood films, which he feels have somewhat lost their raw, emotional core.
He stated, "“(With) my visits to Mumbai, I began to engage more deeply with Bollywood and the broader themes of those films. They possess the real essential reasons we watch cinema, and I believe Hollywood cinema has, in some respects, lost some of that."
He elaborated on Bollywood's ability to deliver “subprimal movements,” commending their grand use of visuals, sounds, and music. Christopher Nolan further remarked, "They are remarkable, quite fundamental. I refer to them as fundamental subprimal movements. These kinds of films truly captivate the audience on a sensory level. It is incredibly important to reintegrate that into Hollywood cinema. That sensory involvement, where you utilize visuals, sounds, and music to create operatic experiences, I think some of the primal aspects of Indian cinema strongly indicate that. It is something I genuinely enjoy engaging with."
Interestingly, he once reached out to Anil Kapoor for a part in Inception, although the collaboration did not materialize. His appreciation for Indian talent was realized in Tenet through Kapadia’s significant role. During his 2020 trip to India, Nolan also met with some of the nation’s most prominent stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Shah Rukh Khan. SRK even shared a picture from their encounter, referring to it as a “fanboy moment.”
As Nolan develops his upcoming project, The Odyssey, fans in India and around the world continue to admire not only his artistry but also his willingness to embrace cultural exchange. Happy Birthday, Christopher Nolan. Thank you for the cinema!
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