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Big screen

By Adam Rathe
The Brooklyn Paper

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People are generally impressed by movie stars. But Kal Penn, who starred in “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle,” and did a stint this season on “24,” gets worked up about writers.

“I am so in awe of Jhumpa, it’s ridiculous,” gushed Penn. He was speaking about Jhumpa Lahiri (pictured), the Fort Greene resident whose novel, “The Namesake,” has just been made into the film in which Penn stars.

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For Lahiri, whose collection “Interpreter of Maladies” won a Pulitzer Prize in 2000, the film wasn’t just a chance to see her story on the big screen, but also to see herself. At director Mira Nair’s request, Lahiri and her family took roles in the production.

“Mira wanted to pepper the scenes with people from my life,” she told GO Brooklyn.

Despite being a best-selling author and newly minted movie star, Lahiri insisted she leads a quiet Brooklyn life. “I don’t get out much but there are some great restaurants [in Fort Greene]. Smooch has the best coffee I’ve ever had outside of Europe. I spend an awful lot of my time indoors just working and taking care of my kids.” She also said she’s working on a new novel (gotta pay the bills).

But has she been bitten by the movie bug? Would she trade her Pulitzer for an Oscar? “I’m sure it would be utterly thrilling, but it doesn’t matter to me,” she said. “It’s already a beautiful film and that’s what’s important.”

“The Namesake” is currently playing at BAM Rose Cinemas. Tickets are $10. For information call (718) 636-4100 or visit www.foxsearchlight.c... thenamesake.

©2007 The Brooklyn Paper

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