For Afghans, Katrina bigger than the Khans

Katrina Kaif and Sridevi among the ladies, Big B and Junior B among the men and Bollywood among India.

Indian tinsel stars are the stuff dreams are made of, said the 13-member Kabul team from the ministry of mines, Afghanistan, here at ISM-Dhanbad since Monday for a 15-day training programme on geological exploration and resource evaluation.

During the tte--tte on Tuesday with The Telegraph, most visitors discovered they didn't know the name of the state they were visiting. Then, they were told ISM was in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. They also avoided political questions, only adding they wished India were their neighbour instead of Pakistan.

Most Afghan tech trainees weren't comfortable speaking English, taking the help of compatriot Gulam Haider Kativ, pursuing MSc Tech in applied geology at ISM. But halting English or no, it was evident Bollywood was India's best-selling import.

Before classroom No. 2, ISM executive development centre, trainee Bashir Ahmad (28), who stays in Takhar province of Afghanistan, said he loved Bollywood songs. "Wherever you go in my country, a restaurant or a mall, you'll hear Bollywood songs blasting away. Oh yes, in cars too," grinned Bashir.

On his favourite leading lady, Bashir didn't hesitate for a second.

"Katrina. Only Katrina. And not just me, a lot of Afghan youngsters are Cool Kat's fans. Her movies get advance bookings in my country," Ahmad added.

The Khans can go eat their heart out, as Abhishek Bachchan stands taller than any other leading, er, lad. This Dostana seems to be a spill over from Big B's legendary popularity among Afghans.

"Amitabh Bachchan is very popular in Afghanistan. His film Khuda Gawah with Sridevi in a double role was a great hit as the story had an Afghan backdrop," said trainee Ghulam Nabi (24), who stays in Baghlan province. He added he loved Sridevi's performance as Big B's love interest in the first half and a policewoman in the second.

Films apart, almost everyone had heard of Mahatma Gandhi. "We revere him, the world needs peace-loving leaders like him today," said Ali Sabah, a team member.

But the young contingent admitted they wouldn't be able to recognise any cricket icon. Afghanistan has a national cricket team, but football is more popular. It would have perhaps helped had Sachin Tendulkar acted opposite Katrina in a film.

The visitors were more comfortable talking about food. They loved Indian munchies such as samosas and dal pakoras. But no, they hadn't heard of idlis or dosas or any food from the south of the Vindhyas.

Many would love to visit Delhi and Agra to see Lal Qila and Taj Mahal.

"I've seen their pictures. Will we go to see these places?" asked Abdul Satar. When this correspondent, on checking their schedule, replied they wouldn't go outside Dhanbad this time, he was disappointed.

"The visiting team will have field visits in Jharia collieries," said applied geology department professor B.C. Sarkar, the course coordinator.

To cool off, the visitors will also get to see the scenic Maithon dam.

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