January 22, 2011 (Sampurn Wire): Bollywood perfectionist start Aamir Khan has been honoured as one of the juries of 61st Berlin film festival. The actor turned producer, whose two films have been nominated for Oscar twice in the past years, will join Italian-American actress Isabella Rossellini headed team of juries.

The organizers of the festival, which is set to take place next month, have said that Aamir will bring some Indian spice to the jury. The seven-person jury will choose the winner of the prestigious Golden and Silver Bear prizes. The festival will be held from February 10 to 20 in the German capital.

The jury member includes German actress Nina Hoss, , British costume designer Sandy Powell, Australian film producer Jan Chapman, Iranian director Jafar Panahi and Canadian film-maker Guy Maddin. In December, Panahi has been sentenced six years of jail term and for next 20 years, he has been banned to make films or leave Iran. So, the space of Panahi will be left vacant in this years festival.

In a recent statement, the festival organizers said that this verdict against Panahi has received a worldwide protest as it violated the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

22 films will feature in the festival and 16 will run for winning prizes. Aamir deserves to be included in the jury as he has made his unique space in the film industry by making films on unconventional subject matter.

--Sampurn Wire