Portrait taken February 2, 1989, in Calcutta of the legendary director Satyajit Ray during the ceremony where he was to be made a member the Legion of Honor by the French President Frantois Mitterrand. (Faget/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkish director Reha Erdem hails Satyajit Ray as someone he is deeply inspired from, crediting the iconic filmmaker for making movies which have left a lasting impact on him. – #Siliconeer @Siliconeer #Bollywood #SatyajitRay #RehaErdem #BigBigWorld #EcemUzun #BerkeKaraer #TurkishCinema #BengaliCinema #MAMI #JioMAMI #MyOnlySunshine

Reha, whose latest “Big Big World” was screened in the Horizons section at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, has followed the works of the “Pather Panchali” helmer since his film student days.

“I know the classic movies of Indian cinema and I have been a huge fan of Satyajit Ray. I know all his movies, have been absolutely in love with all of them since I was a film student,” Reha told PTI.

“Ray’s cinema immensely inspired me to make the kind of films I make in Turkey. Especially “Jalsaghar,” it is one of my favorite movies of Ray. His films left a lasting impact on me,” he added.

“Jalsaghar” depicts the end days of a decadent zamindar in Bengal, and his efforts to uphold his family prestige even when faced with economic adversity.

Actress Ecem Uzun, director Reha Erdem and actor Berke Karaer attend a photo call for “Big Big World” during the 73rd Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino, Sept. 8, in Venice, Italy. (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Actress Ecem Uzun, director Reha Erdem and actor Berke Karaer attend a photo call for “Big Big World” during the 73rd Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino, Sept. 8, in Venice, Italy. (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

The filmmaker was among the jury of 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival with Star.

While Reha has not followed much of the contemporary Indian films, he says as a filmmaker there is a lot to take away from the movies he saw during the fest.

“I don’t know that much about the contemporary Indian cinema, but now that I have seen these films (at MAMI), I am leaving with a bag full of Indian movie DVDs. As a filmmaker, there is so much to learn from the Indian cinema.”

The “My Only Sunshine” director was happy to see diversity in Indian movies and feels they should retain their originality while aiming for global standards in filmmaking.

“I was very impressed with the movies, specially with the technicalities, the cinematography. Something which was important for me, was the diversity of the movies. Every movie was quite different so it gave us a different window to see the Indian life, culture.

“There is nothing that is lacking (in them) but I do admire and appreciate their originality. That is very essential.”