Ace Hollywood filmmaker Christopher Nolan is loved across the globe for his ability to craft intellectually challenging films with widespread mass appeal. Films such as 'The Dark Knight', 'Interstellar', 'Inception' and 'Oppenheimer', among many others, have not only earned widespread critical acclaim but are also regarded as some of the finest works in world cinema. The celebrated director has amassed a huge fan following in India, not just among moviegoers but also among several filmmakers and actors, many of whom have openly admired his work and acknowledged his influence on their own cinematic journeys.

Nolan is all set to make his maiden promotional visit to India this weekend. The director, along with acclaimed actors Matt Damon and Tom Holland, is scheduled for a two-day visit to Mumbai to promote his upcoming multi-starrer 'The Odyssey', which is set for a worldwide release on July 17. A special screening of the upcoming movie is expected to be held on Friday. Nolan and his co-stars will also attend a press meet on Saturday.

Ahead of his visit to the Maximum City, here's a look at Indian filmmakers who have praised Nolan's distinctive filmmaking and, in some cases, consciously or unconsciously drawn inspiration from his storytelling, narrative techniques and cinematic vision.

Anurag Kashyap:

Filmmaker-actor Anurag Kashyap is among Nolan's most vocal admirers in India. During a discussion on 'Oppenheimer', Kashyap praised the filmmaker for making an intensely dialogue-driven blockbuster while speaking about the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon involving 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer'. "It's supposed to be like blockbuster cinema, but actually it's almost like people talking to each other in twelve rooms. It's almost like 12 Angry Men made into a blockbuster," Kashyap said. He also acknowledged Nolan's lasting influence on filmmakers worldwide, saying, "Nolan as a filmmaker influencing us for over twenty years..." Kashyap further added that Nolan constantly strives to outdo himself, saying, "There's always the bigger Nolan film."

Lokesh Kanagaraj:

While Lokesh Kanagaraj has not spoken extensively about Nolan's influence in interviews, comparisons between the two filmmakers have often surfaced. Veteran actor Nagarjuna Akkineni revealed that Kanagaraj's 'Coolie' drew inspiration from Nolan's 'The Dark Knight'. According to Nagarjuna, his character in the film was influenced by Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of the Joker. "I think Loki had Heath Ledger's Joker in his mind, and he wanted that madness. He probably saw the madness in the colour as well," the veteran actor said.

Rajkumar Hirani:

Known for delivering blockbusters such as 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' and '3 Idiots', Rajkumar Hirani once revealed that he had to rework a key plot point in 'PK' after discovering similarities with Nolan's 'Inception'. Speaking to Galatta Plus, Hirani said that Aamir Khan's alien character was initially written with the ability to enter people's minds and alter their experiences. However, after watching 'Inception', he felt the idea was too similar and decided to change it, avoiding any possible comparisons or plagiarism claims.

Aamir Khan:

Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Nolan's cinema, particularly 'Inception'. In a conversation with Rajeev Masand, Khan praised Hollywood's ability to tell unconventional stories, saying that films such as 'Inception' demonstrate a level of ambition that Indian cinema is still striving to match. Reflecting on the film, he remarked, "We have a long way to catch up with them." Interestingly, Khan's blockbuster 'Ghajini' was heavily inspired by Nolan's 2000 psychological thriller 'Memento', further highlighting the Hollywood filmmaker's influence on Indian cinema.