The Namesake Premiere and Opening...

"The Namesake" opens this Friday in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and San Francisco. I'm pasting a list of theaters below; from my understanding, depending upon the box office success, it will be rolled out in additional cities as the weeks progress, so please tell your friends to see the film.

After a plethora of festivals and smaller regional screenings, the "The Namesake" will finally hold it's Premiere this Tuesday evening in New York. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend because i'm still in Louisiana working on the "Harold and Kumar" sequel (i'm not allowed to leave on weekdays since it conflicts with our work schedule).

Mira and I did a short interview for NPR's "Morning Edition" (one of the programs and stations i listen to quite a bit), so look out for that in the next few days. I'm not sure when it's going to air, but i assume prior to release.

March 9, 2007 Theaters:

TORONTO: Varsity Theatre
NEW YORK: Angelika Film Center & The Paris
LOS ANGELES: Monica & Pacific Arclight
SAN FRANCISCO: Embarcadero Center Cinema

Comments

[Mappy]

Hey Kal,
You look hot in the trailer. But joking aside, I want to go to the premier. Just finished the book and found out there was a movie---PLEASANT surprise. Where do I get tix or is this some red carpet bash etc?

Mappy

[Rincey]

I'm still crossing my fingers and waiting for Chicago release information.

[Amrita Rajagopal]

Finally!! I've been dying to see the movie. Kal - here's a good article on you which showed up in amNewYork this morning: http://www.amny.com/entertainment/am-kal0305,0,5990146.story

Cheers!
-Amrita

[Sav Banerjee]

Hey, We're really excited about the San Francisco premiere this Wednesday. The rsvp.foxsearchlight website says seating is based on first come firest seated basis. But, I also tried to rsvp, and it wouldn't accept. Any suggestions? I read the book right after it was published and have been waiting for the movie ever since.

[erin]

please bring the film to seattle SOON!!!

[Neha C]

Hi Kal,

Congratulations! The premiere is this Friday, March 9, in Toronto! Since I saw the trailer, I've held off reading the book until after I watch the movie. My msn nickname has been The Namesake since October and I made 30 of my friends watch the trailer (although I thought it was to be released earlier). I'm going to set up a Facebook group today to tell everyone else about this movie. I just know that it will live up to the hype.

Good luck, it is great to see you playing a variety of roles and really show what you are made of. It's amazing to watch Tabu, who is such a great actress.

You have a lot of support in Toronto!

Take care,

- Neha

[Abhishek]

Hey Kal,

I have watched couple of your films (American Desi & Harold & Kumar) and felt that you have great comic timing. I recently saw you on 24 and were awesome playing a serious character.
I am hoping I can catch Namesake.

All the best,
Abhi

[SINDHU]

I have read the book. can't wait to see the namesake. i saw you appear on a recent episode of law and order. will you be appearing on any tv shows? do you have any more films in the pipeline? when is the sequel to harold and kumar being shot in shreveport?

sindhu

[Sene]

Hi Kal,

HAve seen your Harold & Kumar...Liked it. Hope I will be able to catch The Namesake. We are settled here in Kuwait. Any idea when this movie is being released in India & Middle East.
Thanks.

[Bhumi]

when will Namesake release in Atlanta?

[Anita]

Hey Kal,

I can't wait to see the film. I really love the book! It captures the life of an immigrant family so well, and I haven't read anything like it. Can't wait for the H&K sequel as well!

[Ravi]

Hi Kal,

When is the red carpet premier of The Namesake going to be held in London?

[Meghana]

Hey Kal,

I'm so bummed that "The Namesake" isn't opening in all theaters right away. I live in Baton Rouge, LA and I can't wait to see it. By the way, what was it like working with Tabu? She's one of my favorite actresses! Oh, and your comedic timing is fantastic! Keep it up!

-Meghana

[Sierra]

I've been waiting for The Namesake for SO LONG! After all this build-up and anticipation, I find out it's not even coming out where I live! What the eff? Bring The Namesake to Minneapolis! I'll tell everyone I know in those other states to go see it so it'll roll around to Minnesota.

Good luck and congratulations. This movie looks like a real winner.

-Sierra

[prema]

THANK YOU sooo much for that peice of information....i've been trying to find out when and where I'd be able to see The Namesake. It really is a shame it's not opening in theaters everywhere. The good thing is that I'm able to see it when it opens and that's really all that matters :). I love the book and I'm sure the movie will be a treat.

BTW, I thought you were hilarious in H&K...look forward to the sequel.

[Blake]

I have been waiting for this movie forever. I hope it gets picked up and gets to the Kansas City area. I have high hopes for this one.

[Bhawna Johar]

Bring this movie to Washington, D.C. - I'm dying to see it!!! What can we do to make that happen?

[Sibil]

Hey Kalpen,

I was able to attend a screening today (Wed,3/7) at the AMC Lincoln Square in NYC, part of the Museum of Moving Image series. There was a scheduled discussion with Mira afterwards, and she brought along 2 surprises: Tabu & Irrfan. It was a great discussion and wonderful to see Ashoke & Ashima live in person, especially since they are nothing like the 2 Bengali parents they play on film! It really drove home what great artists those two really are in terms of transforming! Mira had said you weren't able to attend b/c of your work schedule in Louisiana....you were missed! It was a great movie and Mira's vision and interpretation of the book translated very well onto the screen. Visually, the movie was wonderful, very different from the chaotic, colorful world of Monsoon Wedding. I loved the still photographic imagery that she showed us. The quiet love that intensely bloomed between Ashoke & Ashima, and the subsequent loss of Ashoke felt by the family was so powerful! Kudos to you for being able to be part of such a wonderful project!

[Tania]

Don't forget about us in New Orleans too!! There are a bunch of us waiting with bated breath since we read the book. Thanks!

[Waseem]

Hey
I cant wait to see this movie. My ex-girlfriend told me about it who happened to be white and not desi. She wanted to go see it with me but things didn't work out the way i planned and we went our own way. I still want to see this move either way and i cant wait for harold and kumar 2.

Thanks, Waseem
NYC

[Patrick]

Hey Kal,

Keep up the great work. It'll be tough getting used to seeing you in a dramatic non-comedy, but I think your stint in 24 prepared me well enough for it. Looking forward to seeing "Namesake," it definitely looks good and I'll catch it here in L.A.

- Patrick

[Annu Kristipati]

Just got back from the screening at UCLA. OUTSTANDING job -- the acting, the cinematography, the editing, the soundtrack...phenomenal all around. I really enjoyed it.

Great job -- from one Bruin to another!

Best,
Annu

[Karen]

Kal- I'm so glad your attached to this film. I literally just finished reading the book and think it's such an important story to tell. The movie trailer looks absolutely tempting. Great job and I'm also happy it's directed by Mira Nair (she's brilliant!).

[raven]

Hey Kal - any word on international releases? Switzerland's nice this time of the year :)

[Angelita]

I've got tickets for the 7:30 showing at The Paris. Can't wait!

[Miranda]

Can't wait to see this in Austin. :)

Best of luck,
Miranda

[Melissa]

Hey Kal!

I saw an advance screening of the movie last night with a friend in Toronto. We really enjoyed it! You did an amazing job! :) Take care, and all the best!

[chak]

Hey, when is it going to show up in Chicago?

[marci]

Please release it in Missouri!!! I saw the trailer about a month ago and have been counting the days until its release (today) and its not even playing here yet. :(
I really want to see this movie!!!

[DJ]

Why isn't this in D.C.?
Kinda bums me out that i really wanted to see this and yet it's not playing anywhere near me.

[Gurleen]

Just saw the movie - and it was amazing! It's only playing at one theatre in Toronto and IT WAS PACKED! I've been waiting 8 months for the film and it was well worth it. The movie was actually a lot funnier than I expected and I felt myself relating almost all of the scenes to my own parents :)

The cast was well chosen - everyone fit their part and did an excellent job. And the music was off the charts. I love Indian Classical music and it was great to see it on the big screen.

[Rocky]

A Movie like Namesake will be a thing of past 10 years down the line, if one looks at the shrinking "gap" between the "east vs west" mindset.

India is soon catching up in all spheres, be it economy, technology, culture, attitudes in society. Today's youth in India is no less then to those in West, though more inclined towards career & education than their western friends, still reveling into last night party.

[Kat]

My family and I -- not to mention my boyfriend, who never gets excited about movies! -- have been counting down the days until The Namesake premiere, only to learn that it's not coming to Atlanta! Please, get the movie into wider distribution! The trailer is totally tantalizing, and now we're in agony to see the movie -- no exaggeration! Mira Nair is brilliant, and though I haven't seen H&K, I've heard you're wonderful as well, Kal -- we want to see you!

[Eduardo]

Hey Kal, congrats on moving up in the film industry. I was happy to see you in Superman but to be quite honest this trailer already has me waiting with great anticipation. My girlfriend and I were hoping for the originally announced November release, but we're happy that it's coming. I look forward to seeing it at the AFI on March 30. Though I wish I could see it sooner. Just keep thinking, Oscar and Sunday. By this time next year you'll have so many posts and blogs you will not be able to keep up TRUST ME! So for now while you are still somewhat reachable good luck buddy,
Eduardo

[Preeti]

Chicago please! ><

[Meera]

I haven't watched the movie yet..but from all the reviews I read and comments onthis blog, it seems great! Is the movie going to be released in Dallas anytime?

[sadat]

i think the distributors are doing a poor job with the release of this film. why is this a limited release? this is depriving us! i live in upstate new york and it's really unfortunate that i'll have to wait to see this great movie. :-(

[Christine Haupert-Wemmer]

Dear Kal-
Since you're working in Louisiana right now and are bound to us by the chains of the job, don't you think New Orleans deserves to be a free screening city? (You know, we're all disgustingly broke right now.) Tell the man to hook it up via the N.O. Film Society (sponsors of our annual film fest). And surely your boss would allow you one night off the plantation to attend such an event... Such leniency does have historical roots here. Also, there is, actually, an Indian-owned theatre in one of the suburbs here (Hollywood Cinema in Kenner) that includes contemporary Indian films, along with its mainstream lineup, every weekend.

"The Namesake" is hotly anticipated here. The bits of footage and comments available via the website clearly reveal this as a deep and gorgeous work of art. Congratulations to all, on a job well done.

[Barbara]

Bring it to Randolph! Or certainly nearby!

[Shivani]

WOW...i just saw this movie today and it was amaaaaazing...those of you who are debating about whether to watch this, you should TOTALLY go! There was something about this movie that got to me and touched me to the very core. Mira Nair is the best!

[tivup]

dude .... wheres the party yaaaaar?? -- j/k

[puvit]

Indianapolis

[puvit]

Indianapolis too

[mary finnegan]

Hey, why does the film industry think that everyone in Tampa Bay area of Florida are single celled creatures? I love the book, we love all Kal films, we are not Indian (though there is some Anglo indian extract there) why can't I see your movie and others like this in Tampa? We have a festival each year, we have 100s of people of Indian extraction here, why why why!!!

[surinder]

Great job, can't wait for your next movie

[Ria Baker]

When is it coming to San Antonio, TX

[Katharine]

I read The Namesake two years ago, and fell completely in love with both the book and the characters, especially Gogol. (As I had been dating an Indian man for several years, the blond girlfriend character was particularly amusing/distressing.) When I heard last year that a movie was in the works, it felt like the heavens were with me, and when it opened in NYC three weeks ago, I got on a train (from Providence). What a fabulous treat to see the book on a movie screen. Congratulations to all involved.

[Sapna H]

Hi. I have to agree with Pooja over the Abhishek thing. Seriously what was she thinking? Has she seen Abhishek attempt to act? It's like he just can't be bothered. Besides I don't think he would have done justice to the character let alone the film.
I felt that it was important for an American Indian to portray Gogol's character. Kal, your acting was great and I was constantly in tears throughout especially when Gogol cried into his Dad's pillow.
Also how could Rani play Tabu's role? I think it would have become a bit too Bollywood had Mira chosen them. Tabu and Irfaan were great and have the perfect chemistry as noticed in their previous films.
One last thing Kalpen, I still love that scene of you in American Desi (where I first saw you) trying to make rotis but wearing chemistry goggles! To this day that scene cracks me up, you defo were the star of that film and even The Namesake. Must read the book now!

[Jessica]

I loved Lahiri's novel, so I was very excited to hear of a movie adaptation. The Namesake will premiere in Roanoke, Virginia tomorrow, and I'll definitely be first in line to see it. I certainly hope it will eventually reach a larger audience. Not only are the messages the story relates about immigration and immigrant life in America relevant, but the themes of family, acceptance, and love are absolutely universal.

[Tej]

Hey Kal...Congratulations on such a brilliant performance in the movie. I want to convey certain anachronisms I found in the movie, if you could let the director know of that. 1) In the initial scene when Ashoke walks to the train at the Calcutta Railway Station, the coolie is shown having his bag under the board that advertises IndusInd Bank. This scene is from the 1970s and the bank was formed only in 1994. I wonder how no one noticed this glaring mistake before. 2) Also in the scene when you go running in the lanes of Calcutta, a tram is showin rattling away on which it says 150 ATMs of some bank. ATMs were not introduced in India in those days. I am really surprised how a person of such a stature as Mira Nair can make such oversights....!!!