On 2nd February, the German Embassy lawns were filled with hues of red and black. The Embassy held an event to celebrate the premiere of Bollwood movie ‘Don 2 – The King is Back’ at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival ‘Berlinale’.

During a tête-à-tête with director Farhan Akhtar, the acting Ambassador of Germany to India Cord Meier-Klodt said, “Berlin is considered Germany’s number one film city. Many Hollywood stars including Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Kate Winslet have shot in Berlin. However, Bollywood had stayed away. But all that changed in 2010 when for his latest venture Don 2, Mr. Farhan Akhtar decided to bring superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra to the city.”

The city of Berlin is the main setting for the movie. Shot in prominent locations throughout Berlin, some of the highlights include Alexanderplatz, the Berlin Cathedral, the State Opera, the French Cathedral and Concert Hall at Gendarmenmarkt, as well as the Brandenburg Gate. Enlarge image Farhan Akhtar unveils the posters that were given out to lucky winners through draw of lots (© German Embassy New Delhi)
During the interaction, Farhan Akhtar said, “I travelled to Berlin for the first time in 2007 with my family and as I was driving through Berlin, I was really struck by the architecture of the city, the history of the place, the vibrance of the city, but even more by the people of Berlin – there were great friendly people and they were very welcoming. And that is when I thought that I really want to come back here and set a film here, so people can get to see the city.”

Director Farhan Akhtar, producer Ritesh Sidhwani and actors Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan will be present at ‘Berlinale’ for the premiere of their film on 11th February at the Friedrichstadt-Palast.

From 9th to 19th February 2012, Berlin will roll out the red carpet for more than 19,000 professional visitors from 115 countries. The public programme of the ‘Berlinale’ shows about 400 films per year, mostly international or European premieres. Films of every genre, length and format find their place in the various sections: international cinema in the Competition, independent and art house in Panorama, films for young audiences in Generation, new discoveries and promising talents from the German film scene in Perspektive Deutsches Kino, avant-garde, experimental and unfamiliar cinematography in the Forum, and an exploration of cinematic possibilities in Berlinale Shorts.

Talking about ‘Berlinale’, Akhtar said, “The Berlin Film Festival truly stands a lot more for the art form of cinema and a lot less about the commerce of it. We are really privileged that our film will be premiered there.”