A thunderous applause echoed through one of Mumbai’s cinema halls as the credits of ‘The Odyssey’ rolled, but the biggest surprise was yet to come. Christopher Nolan walked onto the stage alongside Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and producer Emma Thomas, turning what was described as the film's first global fan screening into an unforgettable evening. 

The quartet, currently in India for the film's two-day promotional tour, received a roaring welcome from the audience before reflecting on their experience of premiering it in India and the overwhelming response they witnessed after the screening.

Addressing the audience, Nolan expressed his excitement about finally launching one of his films in India, calling it a long-awaited moment.

'This is not the first time I’ve been in Mumbai, but it is the first time I’ve had a chance to launch a film here. So, you are amongst the first audiences in the world to see this film. By the way, did you like the film? So just a quick question, who was better, Matt or Tom?” he asked.

The playful question drew laughter from the crowd before the filmmaker reflected on his long association with India and the country's passionate moviegoers.

'It’s always a thrill to be in India. I’ve had the pleasure of filming here twice; once in Jodhpur and once in Mumbai. Every time we come here, it’s very, very special. For many years, I’ve wanted to come here and launch a film and experience it with Indian audiences who are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and cinematic audiences in the world. It’s such a thrill to be here.”

Matt Damon, who essays the role of Odysseus, said the Mumbai screening marked the first time the team had watched the film with a public audience, making the response especially meaningful.

'We’ve had a premiere already, but that’s been for the family and friends. This is the first real audience that we’ve been in front of who’ve seen the film, so it means the world to us that you liked it. We worked very, very hard on it. It’s the result of thousands and thousands of people pushing themselves and each other to make this happen so that you could see it this way, filmed entirely at IMAX. We’re so happy that you’re liking it, and we’re just so happy to be here,” said the actor.

Tom Holland, who has visited India before, also thanked the audience for their warmth and infectious enthusiasm, saying the country's moviegoers bring a unique energy to theatres. He said, 'I would just like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for always welcoming us with such open arms, so much happiness, excitement, grace, and love. I think no one brings energy to a movie theatre the way you do here in India. Thank you for supporting us, and thank you for enjoying Chris’s amazing work.”

Producer Emma Thomas rounded off the interaction by expressing her gratitude to the audience, describing the screening as a fitting culmination of the years of work that went into making the film.

'I just want to say thank you to everybody in this room for giving us such a warm welcome. We love being in India, and this is such a privilege. It was a privilege to make this film, a privilege to work with these incredible actors and all the talented crew and cast. This is kind of the end of the process of making the film, and you’ve made it special.”

Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, also starring Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, and others, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17. Written and directed by Nolan, the film is adapted from the ancient Greek epic ‘Odyssey’, by Homer.