/> Indian films and actors seem to be going from glory to glory without skipping a beat. After Ang Lee's Lust, Caution which won the highest award at the Venice Film Festival last year it's now Satish Kaushik's turn to be part of a singularly honoured film.

Brick Lane, director Sara Gavron's adaptation of Monica Ali's acclaimed novel has been selected as 2007's Royal Film Performance.

This is considered THE most prestigious event in the British film industry.

"You could say that again," says Satish Kaushik who plays the lead in Brick Lane as a boorish Bangladeshi in Britain married to a gentle unloved woman Tanisstha Chatterjee.

"The Royal Film Performance is attended by the British royal family. Only one film gets selected every year and the proceeds go to Cinematograph Television Benevolent fund.Last year's chosen film was Daniel Craig James Bond flick Casino Royale. "

During earlier years films like Kramer Vs Kramer, Chariots Of Fire, A Passage To India and Titanic were selected for the Royal Film Performance.

Says Satish proudly, "This year Brick Lane has beaten the front-runner Golden Compass featuring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. I suddenly feel I'm one-up on James Bond, ha ha."

Satish who in Bollywood has done largely comic roles and directed several potboilers is over the moon. "Last week at the Toronto Film festival, I was bathed in praise after the screening of Brick Lane. After hearing me speak in the film people wanted to know if I was Bengali.

Now this honour. I'm getting ready for the Royal Film Performance on October 29. In Toronto for the first time I had a makeover done. Now I guess if I'm going to hobnob with British royalty I better get myself a designer."

Chala Satish, pucca and propah ban-ne.