Great films on India being made only by foreigners: Anupam Kher

Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher has questioned why some of the most significant films based on India are being made by foreign filmmakers.

Kher, who was in Toronto for the premiere of Australian filmmaker Anthony Maras' debut feature "Hotel Mumbai", said it was fascinating that films such as "Gandhi" and now "Hotel Mumbai" had been made by foreigners.

"Thank you, Anthony, for making this movie. This film is a tribute to everybody who has lost a dear one anywhere in the world," Kher said.

"Hotel Mumbai" is based on the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Kher said that while another film had previously been made about the attacks, he felt it had been poorly executed and was aimed at exploiting the tragedy.

In contrast, he said, Maras' film "humanises" the tragedy that Mumbai experienced 10 years ago.

Kher also highlighted the significance of the Taj Palace Hotel, one of the locations targeted during the attacks, calling it an iconic institution and praising the Tata group, which owns it.

At a press conference in Toronto, Kher also revealed that "Hotel Mumbai" marks the 501st film of his career.

The veteran actor said his 85-year-old mother was surprised by the milestone and asked him how he had managed to appear in so many films.

"Hotel Mumbai" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.