New Delhi, March 21 (CNA) Oscar-winning director Ang Lee expressed his gratitude to India in a letter that was read Thursday at a special screening in New Delhi of his shipwreck epic "Life of Pi."
The event, hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India, also celebrated the 20th birthday of Suraj Sharma, the lead actor who made his film debut in the 3D movie.
In a letter read by Taiwan's representative to India Tien Chung-Kwang, Lee said he was thankful for the warm support of the Indian crew members and audiences.
"I was deeply inspired by the (Indian) culture, and the government provided enormous support in the making of the film," said Lee, who won the Best Director award at the Oscars this year for the film.
The Taiwan-born director also praised Sharma's work in the movie, saying it was an incredible performance.
"I'd like to wish Suraj a happy 20th birthday. Good luck, young man!" Lee said in the letter.
In addition to inviting local politicians and representatives of think tanks to the screening, the Taiwan office gave nearly 400 tickets to students of renowned universities, including the University of Delhi, where Sharma studies philosophy, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
The movie premiered in India on Nov. 23, 2012 and has emerged as the third highest-grossing Hollywood movie in the country, with box office revenues reaching US$15.2 million to date.
(By Ho Horn-ru and Nell Shen)
