'Big B', '3 Idiots' iconic in Japan too: Japanese director

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Rajkumar Hirani's '3 Idiots' are not just popular icons in India, but in Japan too, says Korean-born Japanese filmmaker Lee Sang-il.
Lee, who is best known for directing 'Hula Girls' in 2006, is showcasing his film 'Unforgiven' in the 44th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the 'Country Focus' section, which features Japanese films.
The director, who makes films on Korean settlers in Japan, said that he is a huge fan of the Big B and the 2009 blockbuster '3 Idiots', starring Aamir Khan.
"It's my first time in India and I feel great to be a part of this film festival. I can say that Amitabh Bachchan and the film '3 Idiots' are very popular in Japan as well," Lee said during an interactive session.

12 new Japanese films made in the last three years are being screened at the ongoing festival.
Lee also pointed out to a unique trait in the Japanese film market, where he said it was not the director who approached producers with projects. It is actually directors who are selected as per the requirements of the project, he said.
Filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, whose film 'Real' was also screened at the festival also expressed his admiration for Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray films and said he is a great fan of these cinematic geniuses.