Exiled Tibetan leader the DALAI LAMA has given Indian film director SHEKHAR KAPUR detailed advice for his new movie about BUDDHA.

The Dalai Lama was thrilled a film about the Indian mystic's teachings and personal route to enlightenment is being released next year (05) in time for Buddha's 2,550th birthday - and invited the ELIZABETH film-maker to his home in Dharamsala, north India to read through the 167-page script and provide insights into the life of KING SIDDHARTHA who follows his soul to become Buddha.

The Dalai Lama's press secretary says, 'His holiness was pleased to hear that there is a project to make a film on the life and teachings of Buddha.'

Kapur has also consulted the Tibetan prime minister and Buddhist scholar SAMDHONG RINPOCHE.