Your films continue to give rise to debate and various interpretations even years after their release. Has any interpretation ever surprised you?

(laughs) The funny thing is that if you leave room for interpretation, you attract the audience more. It is also important that I do not judge those interpretations. I embrace the idea that I’m making things my own for people. With The Odyssey, it’s no different. I make films for cinema audiences. Thousands of people have worked on the film, but it’s not finished until it reaches the audience and they tell me what they think.

How did it feel to see a new audience in India after the re-release of Interstellar?

It’s interesting to see how things evolve in culture when a film is first released and then over time. With Interstellar, which was re-released in India some time ago, it has been very interesting to see the film evolve in terms of its relationship with the audience. As a filmmaker it is quite satisfying.

Talking about The Odyssey, every generation understands and sees it differently. What do you hope audiences take away from your version?

First and foremost entertainment. We shot the film in IMAX, it’s a great adventure story. I want to take the audience on a wild ride on a boat with Odysseus (played by Matt Damon) only to be pulled into the Cyclops’ cave. I just want them to experience the events of this great story.

With such a large cast, what was the casting process like and how did you make sure each actor got a chance to shine?

First of all, go to Matt and say let’s do this together. He is an incredible actor who I worked with twice but not as a lead role. I needed someone who could embody all of Odysseus’s heroic qualities as well as his flaws and complexities. It’s also a coming-of-age story, hence casting Tom Holland as his son, an actor I wanted to work with but didn’t get the chance. There’s a relationship with his mother, played by Anne Hathaway, who I’ve also worked with a few times, who is surrounded by rivals led by Robert Pattinson, who I worked with here in Mumbai. This is a great team of artists with great intelligence and skill.

You have said that Indian audiences celebrate cinema. Did you see any interesting sights during this trip?

It was fun to attend the fan screening of The Odyssey in Mumbai, being one of the first audiences in the world to see the film. Emma (Thomas, producer), Matt (Damon, actor), Tom (Holland, actor) and I came and said hello to the fans at the end. We took a selfie with the audience, and it was remarkable to see hundreds of them with IMAX camera popcorn buckets.

You are also known as one of the most loved international filmmakers in the country…

It’s a big thrill and a big honor to have fans react to my work in India.

This is not your first visit to India. How has your perception of the country evolved over the years?

I like coming here. I have had the pleasure of working here several times and connecting with the local staff. Working in Mumbai, especially on Tenet, was an amazing experience.

While driving from the airport I saw a few places and it brought back fond memories. It was really good to be back, but it was especially meaningful to be back to launch and promote a new film. I never got a chance to do it here, although I’ve wanted to do it for many years. It’s exciting to have a film premiering here in India.