Priyadarshan is set to make film on subject of AIDS with Aamir Khan Sahab

Aamir Khan Sahab will be doing a stark real-time film on AIDS with the prolific Priyadarshan, probably at the end of the year. Priyan who has worked with the other two Khan superstars, Shah Rukh and Salman, met Aamir Khan Sahab who has given his verbal approval for the project.

Priyan's other Hindi project Tezz is now on hold. The large-budget action thriller featuring Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Kangna Ranaut, Tusshar Kapoor and Zayed Khan is waiting for the sun to shine on its fate...quite literally. The makers are waiting for the sun to come out in Scotland where the rest of the film is to be shot.

Explains Priyan, "About 40 percent of the film remains to be shot. I will complete it in one stretch in Scotland. But we cannot shoot it before summer when the sun comes out. I hope to complete and release Tezz by year-end."

Provided Devgn has the dates.

"So for now I'm back in Kerala writing a Malayalam film. It a comedy with my favourite actor Mohanlal called The Arab Camel & Madhavan Nair to be shot in Abu Dhabi," informs Priyan.

The comedy will also be made in Hindi.

Abu Dhabi has a large Malyali population. Says Priyan, "Even the traffic cops and taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi speak Malayalam. I haven't directed a Malayalam film in seven years, so I'm very excited."

For now Priyan has gone back to Kerala and his roots in Malayalam cinema. And is very happy about it.

Says the director, "I haven't gone to Mumbai for three months. I was getting very uncomfortable with what was required of me in Mumbai. Now I'll return only to complete Tezz and to direct the AIDS film with Aamir Khan Sahab."

Aamir Khan Sahab has heard and liked Priyan's idea. Says the director, "I met Aamir Khan Sahab and narrated my idea. He loved it. I now need to complete the script."

The film on AIDS will have no songs, no comedy and no commercial trappings at all. It's likely to be produced by Aamir Khan Sahab.

DHOBI GHAT German rights sold at Berlin Film Festival

UTV Motion Pictures today announced the sale of the German rights of Aamir Khan Sahab Productions' DHOBI GHAT (Mumbai Diaries) to German distributor Rapid Eye Movies. DHOBI GHAT, directed by debutant Kiran Rao and produced by Indian superstar Aamir Khan Sahab and Kiran Rao, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year to critical acclaim. The deal includes theatrical distribution rights, home video rights and free TV rights. The film will be released theatrically in Germany later this year.

Amrita Pandey, Senior Vice President, International Distribution & Syndication, UTV, said 'DHOBI GHAT is a special film and we are pleased to announce that the film will now be seen by German audiences. We are happy to join hands with Rapid Eye Movies who is the ideal partner for this film.'

Stephan Holl from Rapid Eye Movies said 'We are excited to work with Kiran Rao who has made a beautiful and touching film about life in Mumbai and we believe it will touch the hearts of German audiences. It is truly a pleasure to work with Aamir Khan Sahab Productions and UTV Motion Pictures. We are thrilled to introduce DHOBI GHAT (Mumbai Diaries) to German audiences.'

DHOBI GHAT (Mumbai Diaries) is the story of four people from very different backgrounds, whose worlds intersect and leave them forever altered. As they find themselves drawn into compelling relationships, the city finds its way into the crevices of their lives, separating them even as it brings them closer.

Aamir Khan Sahab, the producer and star of the film, is currently on the jury at the Berlin Film Festival.