

His objective was to orientate the audience with the period of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era), and how it was before the appearance of the Prophet. Majidi opined that many Muslims know little about the prophet's upbringing. However, in a turn of events, reports of November 2012 claimed the film was titled Muhammad's Childhood. Mohammad Mehdi Heidarian was announced as the producer, and Shining Light (Noor-e-Taban) was the project's financial backer. The film was partially funded by the Iranian government. He did not hint at the title of the project or its content but added that it would 'bring pride to Iran and Iranians'.īy the following month, filming had commenced and the minister of culture and Islamic guidance Mohammad Hosseini confirmed that a movie about Muhammad was being filmed. In October 2011, Majidi officially announced the project, calling it his 'most ambitious and expensive film project'. A replica of the Kaaba shrine was built in the remote village of Mazraeh-ye Allahyar. The set resembled sixth-century Mecca and Medina during the early years of the life of Muhammad. In early 2011, an enormous set of an estimated 100 hectares (250 acres) was built near the city of Qom.

Pre-production began in October 2007 with the first draft for the screenplay ready by March 2009. Majid Majidi on tracing the instinct to begin the project Muhammad: The Messenger of God.

Instead of showing reaction to the insults to Islamic sanctities, it is better to do some action to introduce the Islamic culture and that is why production of the movie 'Muhammad (PBUH)' was started 7 years ago. So, in a letter I said I could not attend the ceremony (in a country) where my holiest sanctities are desecrated. I thought to myself how can they hold an honoring ceremony for me in a country where my beliefs and sanctities are insulted. Later, to make a more practical response to the insulting act of the newspaper, he took up the subject of Prophet of Islam. This led him to the idea of making a film on Prophet Muhammad. According to Majidi, the publishing insulted the population of Muslim people and disrespected the boundaries of the holy sanctuaries of beliefs. However, the director backed out the screening of the film citing the controversy created by the Jyllands-Posten over cartoon depiction of Islamic Prophet–Muhammad. Majid Majidi's film The Willow Tree was about to have its premiere at the 17th NatFilm Festival.
