Taika Waititi Says Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali Inspired Him In Early Days

Taika Waititi is all set to return with his latest directorial project, Next Goal Wins, which will be a comedic soccer film based on a documentary under the same name. The film dives deep into football coach Thomas Rongen’s journey of leading the American Samoa's team from a disastrous defeat to a spectacular win in the 2014 World Cup.

Jojo Rabbit and Thor fame Taika recently admitted to drawing inspiration from Indian films in his early work days. Praising Satyajit Ray's work and talking about his favourite Indian films, he said, "Of course, the Satyajit Ray film 'Pather Panchali' (1955). It was beautiful and very inspirational when I was making my early films. Next is the fabulous 'ABCD', which is a fantastic big film that I think everyone should watch."

Searchlight Pictures and TSG Entertainment's Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Kaimana, David Fane, and Oscar Kightley alongside an ensemble cast. Directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison, the film releases in India on 2nd February 202