"I think they quite like me when I work because I'm one of the safer directors to back, because even if my films don't bring their costs in back home, once they're shown outside of India they manage to cover the costs"

Satyajit Ray is referring to the Indian movie industry and how his films are received by the producers. He believes that the manufacturers value him due to the fact that his movies are relatively safe financial investments. Even if his movies don't earn a profit in India, they tend to offset it when they are revealed outside of the nation. This suggests that Ray's films have a broader appeal than simply the Indian audience, which they are able to make a profit in other countries. This is why the manufacturers are willing to back him, as they understand that even if the film does not earn a profit in India, it will likely offset it in other places. Ray's movies are a safe investment for the manufacturers, and this is why they value him.