Professor Shahrukh khan !

Reports suggest Bhansali stayed away from the festival, since SRK was being felicitated at same venue

Looks like the Om Shanti Om — Saawariya war hasn't yet died down. Sources reveal that director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was keen on showcasing Saawariya at the Berlin film Festival 2008, but backed out when he was told that Om Shanti Om has made it to the special showcase category. The festival is on from February 7 – 17.

It is learnt that OSO has made it to The Berlinale Special showcase that honours exemplary works of contemporary filmmakers.

Change of plans

A source reveals, "Bhansali loves film festivals, and the Berlin Film Festival is quite prestigious. He was keen on canvassing for Saawariya and had even spoken to the officials about his interest in attending the festival. However, he soon changed his plans as soon as he realised Om Shanti Om was not only going to be screened but Shah Rukh would also be felicitated at the event. He decided to back out of the festival after he got details of the entire itinerary."

India Correspondent for the Berlin Film Festival, Meenakshi Shedde, says, "No comments. I am only aware of the fact that Sawaariya isn't amongst the two films that have been selected amongst the 5000 entries. The two films are Om Shanti Om and the Tamil film Paruthiveeran. While OSO has got selected in the Berlinale Special section Paruthiveeran has got selected in the International Forum Of New Cinema. But the entries haven't closed as yet. A clearer and more complete picture will emerge at the end of the month."Bhansali wasn't available for comment.

Professor Shah Rukh Khan

India Correspondent for the Berlin Film Festival, Meenakshi Shedde informs us, "Shah Rukh will be lecturing at the Berlinale Talent Campus to young, aspiring and talented filmmakers from all over the world — including Indian and Asian. Dorothee Wenner, programmer for India (Berlin Film Festival) saw OSO at the world premiere in London and loved the film. She had flown down to London to see the film and she requested him to give the lecture. The lectures are on different disciplines of filmmaking — which include editing, directing, music composing and various other fields. A select few from thousands of talented filmmakers all over the world are chosen for this lecture."

It is learnt that the Om Shanti Om screening at the festival will be a grand affair.

— Upala KBR