Iranian filmmaker backs 'Swachch Bharat' drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Swachch Bharat" mission and his programme to install toilets across the country got the endorsement of Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who said a vision of India as a dirty country made him "angry".

"I love India and I am angry when I see India is dirty. Why? Why not manage to (keep it) clean. Very late. I become angry when (in) India some village has no toilet. Shameful," Makhmalbaf said.

Union information and broadcasting ministry officials, who were chaperoning Makhmalbaf, said his concern for cleanliness was being addressed by the "Swachch Bharat" campaign.

"Then it's good... Shame if you don't find a solution," said Makhmalbaf, whose film 'The President' was screened as the opening film of the 45th International Film Festival of India, which is being held in Goa.

Makhmalbaf also said he would like to make a film on Mahatma Gandhi, who he claims was a big influence in his life.

Makhmalbaf, one of the pioneers of the new wave of Iranian cinema, however, said he would need a lot of strength to make a film on Mahatma Gandhi. "Making a film about Gandhi is not making a film about his story but of his soul."