Tessa stumped by Bollywood ... then bowled over

Bhajis, samosas and, er, cups of traditional English tea with digestive biscuits at the House of Commons on Wednesday, for the grand launch of the 2007 "Bollywood Oscars" - which, will, somewhat improbably, be held in Yorkshire.

The Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, made an impassioned speech about Indian cinema: "It is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy Bollywood films."

"But which ones, Tessa!" I hear you cry, on your way out of the door, coat half-on, arm pointing in the direction of the nearest "Videosyncratic" store. A prolonged, awkward silence: "Um... um... um... Can I take your number and get back to you on that one?"

Bless Tessa: her colleague calls back at 10pm with the answer. The Bollywood film to have left the most lasting impression on her is Lagaan (meaning "land tax", apparently). The plot revolves around the exploitation of poor Indians by a British Victorian colonial, and culminates in a cricket match.

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