Guwahati: Iranian Ambassador to India Gholamreza Ansari is hopeful that cordial bilateral relations and historical cultural ties between the two nations will result in more joint film productions.

“Salaam Mumbai” was the maiden film co-produced by India and Iran in 2016. Directed by Ghorban Mohamadpour of Iran, the drama film featured Dia Mirza of India and Iranian superstar Mohammad Reza Golzar.

“The potential of joint film production has not been explored much despite similarities between the two countries,” Ansari told PTI at the first edition of Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) here.

Ansari said, “The government and private — both should come forward in this direction (joint ventures). There should be more number of films made under the present rules and regulations of both the countries.”

Renowned Iranian director Majid Majidi is currently working on a few other projects in India, he said.

Majidi has made his debut film in India with ‘Beyond the Clouds’ this year with actor Shahid Kapoor’s younger brother Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan in lead roles.

Majidi has also announced his second venture in India, ‘Gold Mine’, the casting for which was likely to begin in two months.

But these films are not joint ventures.

The Iranian envoy said social, political and economic aspects can be dealt with in the joint productions.

“The only thing is that it should show the positive aspects of both the countries,” Ansari said.

Six movies are being screened in the Contemporary Iranian Cinema section of the GIFF.

The festival also began with the screening of a joint collaboration of Iran and France, ‘The Salesman’. This 2016 movie has won the Oscar for best foreign language film.