Toronto, Jan 10 (IANS) Toronto Mayor David Miller has extended a personal invitation to Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and director Mani Ratnam for the global premiere of "Guru". It will be India's first mainstream international premiere in Canada.

"It's a pleasure to host the world premiere of 'Guru' in Toronto. This presentation represents a landmark event for all of Canada. It is an unprecedented occasion for the city to have film artists of the stature of Mani Ratnam, Abhishek and Aishwarya, along with the producer Bobby Bedi who chose to premiere this major film outside India. It is an indication of the high regard Indian filmmakers have for Toronto," said Miller.

"This is an opportunity to bring Indian cinema to a larger appreciative audience and, at the same time, to further develop economic, creative and personal ties between our two countries," Miller added in a press release.

Abhishek, who plays the protagonist in the film loosely based on late business tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani, is pretty excited about the premiere in Canada.

"Hello, I'm Abhishek Bachchan. You have always come to see my movies and now its time to come and see you. Join me for the world premiere of my film 'Guru' in Toronto, Jan 11, 2007. See you there," Abhishek said in a recorded message for his Canadian fans.

"Guru" will achieve another first by becoming the first Indian film to be distributed by a Canadian Distributor, Roger Nair Productions.

"It is indeed an honour to have the world premiere of 'Guru' in Toronto, since it will be the first Indian mainstream film to do so. This has been a landmark deal between Canada and India, in the process making Canada an official territory for Bollywood films. We chose Ratnam's film because his films has a certain sensibilities attached, visually international and rich in content," said Padam Kumar, COO, Roger Nair production.

The organisers are expecting around 10,000 people to line up for a glimpse of Abhishek and Aishwarya for the red carpet premiere in true Hollywood style.

The film opens in theatres Canadawide Cineplex, AMC and Empire Jan 12.

IANS