Kamal Hassan’s VISHWAROOP and Deepa Mehta’s MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN Both Release in Mumbai Theaters Next Week

Q: What ELSE do these films have in common?

A: New York City actor SAMRAT CHAKRABARTI

 Actors Kamal Hassan & Samrat Chakrabarti

British-born, NYC-bred actor/musician/playwright Samrat Chakrabarti is headed to Bollywood (Mumbai), where he has TWO big reasons to celebrate on Friday, February 1, 2013:

1. South Indian icon Kamal Hassan’s long-awaited return to cinema, VISHWAROOP, opens on the silver screen. Chakrabarti plays “Deep,” a wealthy, slick, wheeling-and-dealing businessman who gets more than he bargains for.
2. Canadian filmmaker extraordinaire Deepa Mehta’s masterpiece MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN, based on the novel by controversial author Salman Rushdie, has its Mumbai premiere. Chakrabarti plays “Wee Willie Winkie,” a poverty-stricken street musician who sings for his supper in the 1940s.

Says Chakrabarti:

“2013 is proving to be an incredible year so far, especially since I never thought BOTH my latest films would open in the same city on the same day. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the likes of Salman Rushdie, Deepa Mehta, and Kamal Hassan, all the while playing characters that are completely different from each other. I feel lucky to be a part of both of these films and am excited to be in Mumbai for their releases. My parents left India to pursue their dreams, and years later, I have come to India to pursue mine. Full circle!”

Chakrabarti will be in India through February 10 and is available for one-on-one interviews and photo opportunities. For Chakrabarti’s biography, acting reel, images, and IMDB profile, please visit www.samratchakrabarti.com.