Oscar Award winning Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, who was honoured with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema yesterday, said that a good story with a universal message has the potential of reaching a global audience.

 “A good movie making material, something which is personal and close to one’s home country and having the global potential in its message, can appeal to world cinema,” Douglas said on the concluding day of the 54^th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, Goa.

He also remarked that in terms of cinema, India is quite different compared to most other places as it has an extraordinarily large film industry and a huge population — hence, the need and desire to go outside the country is not there as compared to other countries.

Engaging with film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and industry professionals, Douglas, along with Indian producer Shailendra Singh, took part in an In-Conversation at IFFI with the session theme being ‘Is It Time for One World Cinema?’

The discussion, according to a briefing of the proceedings put out by the organisers of the IFFI, threw light on films seeking to transcend geographical boundaries, bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences from every corner of the globe.

Talking about the global appeal of ‘RRR’, the renowned producer and actor remarked that it was a big hit not only in India, but also around the world because the film was made based on India’s own story and with a universal message.

However, he did admit that to see a film succeed, one should make the material for themselves and not think if it will reach the rest of the world.

Reminiscing about his initial days in the field of production, he said it all started with the book ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’  at the young age of 23, when his father, the late legendary actor-producer Kirk Douglas, acquired the book and developed a play. This is when Michael Douglas stepped in and took charge to make a film based on the book.

He went on to make the film that became a hit with the lead  character played by Jack Nicholson and also starring the talented Danny de Vito.

Speaking about his cinematic exploration and what moves him as an actor in selecting a script, he said, “The core for me as an actor is to be a part of a good movie, no matter if it is a small part. I would rather do a small role in a good film than do a big part in a bad movie.”

Speaking about challenges he faced as an actor and overcoming stage fright, Douglas said, “Cameras can always catch a lie and the first few years were a challenge. To overcome stage fright, I conditioned my mind in such a manner to make myself understand that acting is pretending and trying to convince others, something that we do every day.

“This very thought helped me in overcoming my fears and master the craft of acting and I began to enjoy it.”

With a career spanning several decades and marked by great success, in  his message for the youth of India, Douglas said “ I have the most faith in the younger generation as the younger generation owns social media and they understand the need to work closely together to try and solve global problems like Climate Change ”.

Douglas, accompanied by his spouse, the BAFTA Award winning actor and philanthropist Catherine Zeta-Jones and their actor-son Dylan, was in India for the IFFI where he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema, has been previously bestowed upon luminaries such as Martin Scorsese, Bernardo Bertolucci, Dilip Kumar, Carlos Saura, Krzysztof Zanussi and Wong Kar-wai. The recognition celebrates individuals whose unparalleled contributions have enriched the cinematic landscape.