India, July 17 -- Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan personally premiering a film in India for the first time is only the latest sign that big-budget Hollywood is serious about wooing the Indian market. While promoting The Odyssey in Mumbai last week, Nolan also heaped praise on Indian audiences, calling them "among the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable audiences in the world."

Nolan's enthusiasm about Indian audiences captures an interesting irony. Fewer Indians watch films in theatres now, but it is the poor who have stopped going, not the rich. That development might please the Nolans of the world, but it is perhaps not good news for Indian filmmakers.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Ti...