Christopher Nolan doesn’t launch his films in India every day. Add Tom Holland and Matt Damon to the mix and you have one of the biggest Hollywood moments Indian movie lovers have witnessed in years. The trio surprised fans at a special screening of The Odyssey in Mumbai on Friday, where they spoke about the film, Indian audiences and why this premiere meant so much to them.
Here’s a quick roundup of what all they said:
Christopher Nolan On The Odyssey’s Launch In India
For Nolan, this was the first time he has officially launched one of his films in India. He told the audience, “This is not the first time I’ve come to Mumbai but it’s the first time I’ve had a chance to launch a film here. You are among the first audiences in the world to see the film. It’s a thrill to be in India. I had the pleasure of filming here twice, once in Jodhpur, once in Mumbai. Every time we come here it’s very special.”
He then lightened the mood with a playful question, “Who is better, Matt or Tom?” The theatre instantly erupted with cheers.
Matt Damon Thanked The Indian Audience
Matt Damon thanked the crowd for the overwhelming response and said the Mumbai screening felt different from the film’s earlier premiere.
He said, “We have had a premiere before but that’s family and friends, this is the first real audience we have been in front of. It means the world to us that you liked it. We worked very hard, it was the result of thousands of people pushing themselves.”
#TomHolland at #TheOdyssey Indian Premiere… pic.twitter.com/31M9cVfSds
— Avinash Ramachandran (@Avinash_R13) July 10, 2026
What Tom Holland Said On The Odyssey Premiere
Tom Holland received one of the loudest cheers of the evening. Thanking fans for the warm welcome, he said, “No one brings an energy to a movie theatre like you do in India. Thank you for supporting and enjoying Chris’s work.” The crowd responded with chants of “Spidey!”
Producer Emma Thomas also addressed the audience, saying, “We love being in India. It’s a privilege to be here.”
What We Know About The Odyssey
Set to release in theatres on July 17, it has reportedly received an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India without any cuts. According to the reported certification details, the listed runtime is 172.33 minutes, or 2 hours, 52 minutes and 33 seconds.
Written and directed by Nolan, The Odyssey is an adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic. It follows Odysseus, played by Damon, as he makes a dangerous journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The ensemble cast includes Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o and Samantha Morton. The film is produced by Nolan and Emma Thomas under their banner Syncopy.
