Yash Chopra is all set to coach 'em about good cinema.

Shah Rukh Khan, Yash Chopra, Ashutosh Gowariker and others will be in Paris for a Bollywood Week that opens tomorrow at the prestigious Grand Rex. The week, organised by Carlotta Films and Bodega Films that distribute films and DVDs in France, will show 12 films starting today. Studio magazine described the festival as "sucrerie pour les yeux"-sugar refinery/confectionery for the eyes.

Apart from film screenings, considerable hype has been built up with Yash Chopra conducting a master class billed as 'lecons de cinema', discussions with the director and stars, dance, songs and even karaoke, with a special billing for 'le film culte du couple mythique' — Shah Rukh and Kajol.

According to the organisers, fans can meet Yash Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan ("le prince de Bollywood"), Rani Mukerji ("la nouvelle reine"-the new queen) and Preity Zinta ("la girl-next-door") at the Virgin Megastore on the Champs Elysees today.

Although some of the films like 'Lagaan', 'Swades' and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' have been released theatrically in France before (the last was released as 'La Famille Indienne'), this package is intended to explore the Bollywood genre in recent years. Says Yash Chopra from London, "We're very happy to be part of this Bollywood Week in Paris and premiere  'Veer Zaara' there. I'm told most of the shows are already sold out. Last year we released 'Veer Zaara' in Germany."

Clearly, mainland Europe is a difficult proposition for Bollywood directors compared to the UK market. Interestingly, Alfred Hitchcock was regarded as a popular director in the 50s until French critics (later directors) like Francois Truffaut and others turned him into an 'auteur'. Does Yashji feel that the French interest in Bollywood is more intellectual than commercial? His answer-and really we should have seen this coming: "We'll see."