It was an honour to meet Javed Akhtar: Ava DuVernay

Film director Ava DuVernay was thrilled to meet Javed Akhtar

Mumbai: Academy Award-nominated "Selma" director Ava DuVernay says she was honoured to meet veteran Bollywood writer Javed Akhtar.

Akhtar, 70, and his former partner Salim Khan were awarded "Excellence in Cinema - India" award at the opening night of the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai film festival.

"It was an honour to meet him. He was very kind. He welcomed me and was very kind to me," Ava told reporters here.

The 43-year-old filmmaker was speaking on the sidelines of the premiere of National Award-winning director Hansal Mehta's real life-inspired drama "Aligarh" at the ongoing festival.

Ava, who is heading the International jury of the 8-day-long festival, praised Indian cinema and said she follows the work of some women directors.

"I love Indian cinema. I admire the work of women directors like Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta, Gurinder Chadha... Shekhar Kapoor is my friend too.

"Indian cinema has a rich legacy. Not many people understand the decades of legacy and stars behind the films."

During her maiden visit to India, the "Middle of Nowhere" filmmaker also managed to watch clips of a few 1970s movies.

"I saw clips of 70s films... I don't know the names but it was truly fascinating... It is difficult to find and watch something like that in America."