Very cool and about time!

Huh???? What sense does this Wall Street Journal headline’s analogy make? Yes the Titanic was on its way to New York when it sank. And Aamir Khan was in New York promoting his film Peepli [Live].

Maybe we’re just not seeing the connection.

Aamir blogs that he’s got butterflies in his stomach for the release of PEEPLI LIVE on August 13th. And he’s in our neck of the woods in New Jersey too!

So we’re pitching in for PEEPLI LIVE. (a) Because Aamir Khan is one of only a handful of filmmakers in Bollywood who makes issues based heartfelt films (b) he backs emerging filmmakers with all the gusto and support they need for success, and (c) PEEPLI LIVE features music by ‘Indian Ocean’ who will perform in our own ‘Rock For Hope’ concert on September 11 in Toronto. The concert benefits AidIndia‘s efforts in sustainable farming among India’s distressed farmers.

Synopsis of the film: Natha a poor farmer from Peepli village in the heart of rural India is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the very same government’s program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival Farmer Natha can choose to die!!! His brother is happy to push him towards this unique ‘honor’ but Natha is reluctant. Local elections are around the corner and what might’ve been another unnoticed event turns into a ’cause celebré’ with everyone wanting a piece of the action. Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim. The question on everyone’s lips – “Will he or Won’t he?” As the mania escalates what will be the fate of Farmer Natha; nobody seems to care how he really feels?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REN_fV9q0yk]

The world premiere of Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghat starring Aamir Khan and North American premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s That Girl In Yellow Boots. (Indiewire)

We’re hoping  Aamir Khan’s ‘Peepli Live’ will be part of TIFF…for selfish reasons – Yeh Hai Life is hosting Indian Ocean (whose songs are featured in Peepli Live) in our ‘Rock For Hope’ concert benefiting AidIndia on September 11th in Toronto.