Hollywood looking anew at Sheetal

BOLLYWOOD REEL

Albert Brooks' latest comedy film brings Sheetal and himself to India and Pakistan.

In the summer of 2004, American Comedy Actor and Film Director, Albert Brooks, steeped out of the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi braving the summer heat to make an appointment at the Information and Broadcasting ministry. An hour later, he announced he had applied for permission to shoot a Hollywood comedy in India.

Brooks is an old hand at making sweetly satiric Hollywood comedies like The Muse, Modern Romance and Lost in America.

This winter, the new Albert Brooks comedy, "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World" is opening worldwide.

The film is a hilarious story of what happens when the US government sends comedian Albert Brooks to India and Pakistan to find out what makes Indians laugh.

Brooks, accompanied by two state department handlers and his trusted assistant, goes on a journey that takes him from a concert stage in New Delhi, to the Taj Mahal, to a secret location in the mountains of Pakistan. The film had its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival on December 15.

Sony Pictures was originally going to distribute the film but chose not to, citing controversy over the film's title, which they wanted to change. Meanwhile Warner Independent Pictures has picked up the film.

Hollywood actress of Indian origin Sheetal Sheth plays Maya, Albert Brooks' chirpy assistant in the film. She is today one of the most popular actresses among the young NRI directors in USA. Her work in NRI films like American Chai, ABCD and Wings of Hope have resulted in several awards including Best Actress at Cinevue Film Festival in 2001.

Sheetal was born the middle child, and grew up on the East Coast playing sports and dancing.

She says, "I realised when I as in high school that acting was my passion and I needed it to be a part of my life everyday...therefore I committed to that and, took it seriously "� trained extensively and have been fortunate to be working professionally ever since."

She was trained in Acting, Singing, Dancing and Speech at New York University's Tisch School of Arts where she enrolled for a BFA. During her days at NYU she joined Amercicorps, President Clinton's national service program and taught Drama, English and Dance at a school in the lower East side of Manhattan.

Sheetal was also the cultural chair and vice president of SHRUTI (South Asian Student's Association).

Sheetal Sheth now lives and works in Hollywood and has already played the lead in a range of Independent features and shorts films including, Indian Cowboy, A Pocketful of Dreams, The Honeymoon Short, Big Girl Little India, Fathima's Choice, Guest, I honor thee. She has also been offered leading roles in Indian films but is still looking for a meaningful part.

Her advice to aspiring actors and actresses in Hollywood is that "want it more than anything otherwise don't do it and if you do decide to indulge than define success for yourself ." As for her she just wants to continue fighting and breaking the walls in Hollywood to establish herself as a major Star.

Hollywood magazine Variety reviewing the film has described Sheetal as an eye catching pretty person who beams like a ray of sunshine.