Santosh Sivan's Tahaan may not have become a box-office success. But the 9-year old child actor Purav Bhandare who played the pivotal part has suddenly become one of the most celebrated juvenile performers of the world.

On 21 October, little Purav, on vacation from school for Diwali, headed with his family to Rome and Amsterdam for the film festivals being held this week in the two cities. Later Purav, along with his director Santosh Sivan heads for the Sundance and the Berlin Film festivals, making him the youngest festival star of the world.

Confirming these developments Purav's father Rajiv Bhandare says, "Actually the entire family is accompanying Purav to the Rome and Amsterdam festivals. He got airfare for himself and one guardian. But we decided to make it a family holiday because it's my younger son Arunav's birthday. We'll be travelling in Europe for a bit."

Unlike Darsheel Safary who behaves like a superstar, Purav remains oblivious to the happenings around him. When I asked him about his travel plans the little boy said, "We're going to Rome and Amsterdam. We're also going to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. I don't know what is happening in Rome and Amsterdam. Something to do with work, I think. I won't miss school because it's Diwali holidays."

Adds his Dad, "When I told Purav about our travel plans his first reaction was, 'But it's my brother's birthday on 21st October. Aren't we supposed to go to Matheran for birthdays?' I had to explain to him that we had plans beyond Matheran this year. Purav remains unaffected by all that has happened to him after Tahaan."

The boy was recently offered a film by Walt Disney. "It was a children's film. But my wife and I decided he will do only one film, and that's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles director Steve Barron's next which he'll shoot in Bangalore very shortly. Otherwise we don't want Purav's studies to be affected."