Christopher Nolan’s love for India was on full display during his recent visit to Mumbai, where the Oscar-winning filmmaker praised Indian moviegoers for their passion for cinema. Calling them “among the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable cinematic audiences in the world,” Nolan said he had long dreamed of launching one of his films in India and described every visit to the country as “very special.”
Published: July 10, 2026, 11:19 PM IST
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Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland and Matt Damon
Filmmaker Christopher Nolan, best known for acclaimed films such as Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and Oppenheimer, is currently in India to promote his upcoming epic, The Odyssey. On Friday, Nolan surprised fans and members of the media with an unexpected appearance at a special screening of the film in Mumbai. He was joined by actors Tom Holland and Matt Damon, along with producer Emma Thomas. During his visit, Nolan greeted enthusiastic fans and delivered a brief speech, expressing his gratitude for the unwavering love and support of Indian audiences. “I am coming to Mumbai again! This is not the first time I am here in Mumbai. But it is the first time that we get the chance to launch a film here. So you are among the first audiences in the world to see this film!” Nolan said.
“Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for welcoming us. It is always a thrill to be in India. I have had the pleasure of filming here twice, once in Jodhpur and once in Mumbai. Every time we come here, it’s very, very special. For many years, I have wanted to come here and launch one of our films and experience it with the Indian audiences, who are some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable cinematic audiences in the world. So it is such a thrill to be here,” he added.
I’ve always wanted to launch one of our films in India.
Addressing the audience at the THE ODYSSEY Premiere in Mumbai, Christopher Nolan called Indian audiences among the most enthusiastic & knowledgeable in the world. #TheOdyssey #ChristopherNolanpic.twitter.com/pKrg53VDGf
— noʟᴀn (@krrishnolan) July 10, 2026
Tom Holland praises Indian audience
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for always welcoming us with such open arms, happiness, excitement, grace and love. No one brings an energy to a movie theatre as you do here in India,” Tom Holland told the audience.
For the event, Tom Holland kept it simple in a white shirt and black trousers, while Matt Damon chose a striped round-neck tshirt with blue pants. Nolan was dressed in a crisp white shirt, paired with a black blazer and beige trousers.
The Odyssey is an upcoming mythic action epic film written, directed, and co-produced by Christopher Nolan, based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem.
It follows Odysseus on a ten-year journey home to Ithaca after the fall of Troy. Produced by Syncopy and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film releases on July 17, 2026. The ensemble cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, and Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.
