Channel 4's on-going celebration of Hindi cinema returns for its 21st birthday with a season of twenty hand picked films dedicated to and introduced by Bollywood Celebrities, every Sunday and Monday from Sunday July 27. Each film in the 20-title season is introduced by its star or director as they recount anecdotes and personal memories from their filmic experiences.

In light of all the recent media and public interest, it is difficult to remember a time when Bollywood was not considered "cool". But in the early 1980s there was little mention of Bollywood in the mainstream UK press, nor were Hindi popular films shown on television on a regular basis. When Channel 4 was launched in 1982, part of their vision was to screen television programmes and films that could not be seen anywhere else.

So from their very first winter schedule, Indian cinema became an intrinsic part of what audiences expected of this new and innovative channel, starting with the broadcast of Sholay on Boxing Day in 1982. This year's season is very much a continuation of that tradition of programming.

Also the fact that all the films are introduced by either the star or the director of the film will add a new insight into the actual film that may a movie that's been seen before. For example, when Hrithik Roshan shares with us what happened when he saw Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai for the first show, first day with the audience, we get a real sense of what the film meant to him personally. Or we understand what motivated Farhan Akhtar to make Dil Chahta Hai or where exactly did the idea of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai come to Karan Johar.

Stars featured also include, from the Bollywood 'A' list, Amitabh Bachchan, talking about working on Aks; Waheeda Rahman, recounting her experience working with Satyajit Ray on Abhijaan, when he insisted she sing her own songs; to Dev Anand on working on the all time favourite Bollywood extravaganza Jewel Thief. The season also includes Mani Ratnam's powerful Iruvar and a special matinee screening of Farhan Akhtar's delightful comedy Dil Chahta Hai, starring Aamir Khan.

A compilation VHS of the introductions to each film will be available shortly - please e-mail spinder@channel4.co.uk to request a copy (please include name and address). Material from the tape may be reproduced in print and for radio broadcast purposes but any television use must be licensed by the normal Channel 4 clips use procedure.

The season co-ordinator, Nasreen Munni Kabir, is available for interview - please contact her directly at mailto:nmk@hyphenfilms.com - please note she is only available during July. Supplementary details on all the films, streamed versions of the introductions and background information on Bollywood can be found at www.channel4.com/bollywood

Press contact: Steve Pinder, 020 7306 8274; spinder@channel4.co.uk

The full schedule is as follows:
Sunday 27 July 1:40 am     KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI (2000)
Monday 28 July 1:00 am     CHANDNI BAR (2001)

Sunday 03 August 1:00 am     ABHIJAAN (1961)
Monday 04 August 2.10 am     KASHMIR KI KALI (1964)

Sunday 10 August 1:35 am     ALAIPAYUTHEY (2000)
Monday 11 August 2:10 am     ABHIMAAN (1973)

Sunday 17 August 12.30 am     ZUBEIDAA (2000)
Monday 18 August 1:30 am     HUM DONO (1960)

Sunday 24 August 1:45 am     IRUVAR (1997)
Monday 25 August 12:15 am     MASOOM (1983)

Sunday 31 August 12:55 pm (afternoon)     DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001)
Sunday 31 August 12:00 am     ANKUR(1973)
Monday 01 September 2:25 am     MUJHE JEENE DO (1963)

Sunday 07 September 1:00 am     JEWEL THIEF (1967)
Monday 08 September 2:00 am     MERA NAAM JOKER (1970)

Sunday 14 September 1: 30 am     KHAMOSHI (1996)
Monday 15 September 1:05 am     AKS (2001)

Sunday 21 September 12: 15am     SHUBHO MAHURAT (2002)
Monday 22 September 1:05 am     FIRE (1996)

Sunday 28 September 12:00 am     KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI (1998)