press > MARLBORO BOY STARS IN NEW FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES RELEASE! Two River Film Festival and Monmouth University to host New Jersey Premiere of Mira Nair’s, The Namesake for immediate release: Beverly Peterson 732.923.4751 trff@monmouth.edu february 28, 2007 West Long Branch, N.J., February 28, 2007. Seven-year-old Soham Nick Chatterjee was still attending kindergarten when he first caught the eye of internationally celebrated director Mira Nair and landed a role in her latest film, THE NAMESAKE. Two River Film Festival and Monmouth University’s Global Understanding Project proudly present the New Jersey Premiere of THE NAMESAKE, at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre on March 15, 2007 at 7:30pm. Following the screening will be a Q & A session with seven-year-old Marlboro resident, Soham Nick Chatterjee, who plays the role of Gogol at age 4. Soham will be joined by his mom, Sashwati Chatterjee, a radio show host/ actress/ singer. THE NAMESAKE is ultimately about that imminently relevant question: what does it mean to be an American family? On the heels of their arranged marriage, Ashoke (Irrfan Khan) and Ashima (Tabu) jet off from steaming Calcutta to a wintry New York where they begin their new life together. Virtual strangers to one another and now living in what is to them a very strange land, their relationship quickly takes a turn when Ashima gives birth to a son. Under pressure to name him quickly, Ashoke settles on Gogol, after the famous Russian author – a name that serves as a link to a secret past and, Ashoke hopes, a better future. Two years ago Mira Nair was looking for children to cast as Gogol at age 4. Soham’s picture was selected and a script sent out to him just two hours before he would try out for the part. And, even though he was still learning how to read, he memorized the part and aced his audition for Nair. “She absolutely loved him and his expressions,” says Soham’s proud mom, Sashwati Chatterjee. “Before we left, Mira Nair kept hugging me to express her joy that after months of auditions she has finally found her Gogol at age 4.” Well beyond his years, Soham voiced his likes and dislikes quite openly to the director as well as the producer. “I was amazed at how patiently he played his part in such extreme weather conditions,” his mom emphasizes. The first shoot was in Rockaway Beach in Queens in below freezing temperatures. During the filming, Soham developed a warm relationship with his onscreen parents, actors Irrfan Khan and Tabu. “The only thing he insisted upon was that we all call the two of them ‘pretend dad and pretend mom’ off camera,” says his real life mom. Soham and his parents are residents of Marlboro New Jersey. His dad, Dr Abhijit Chatterjee, is a Geriatrician. “Dr Abhijit Chatterjee and I were beside ourselves when the news of his casting was announced,” says Sashwati. “We were delightfully surprised that he obtained the role given his tender age and lack of experience.” Now in the second grade, Soham plans to continue acting. Sashwati is encouraging: “He is too young to realize what he really wants to do. If the right opportunity comes I would not mind him getting exposure in the mainstream.” This special screening is free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, confirmed reservations are required and can be requested at 732-923-4751 or TRFF@monmouth.edu. THE NAMESAKE stars Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Jacinda Barrett and Zuleikha Robinson.