Aamir, Kiran at Berlin Fest

Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who is a part of the seven-person jury at the 61st Berlin film festival, arrive for the premiere of the film True Grit with his wife Kiran Rao in Berlin. The Berlinale film festival takes place from February 10-20, 2011. (Photo: AFP)

The members of the Berlinale film festival jury (from L) Producer Jan Chapman, Sandy Powell, Guy Maddin, actress Isabella Rossellini, actress Nina Hoss and Aamir Khan. (Photo: AFP)

Panahi's place on the jury has been left symbolically empty, as he was handed six years in jail in December and banned from making films or leaving Iran for 20 years. (Photo: AP)

Aamir with the members of the Berlinale film festival jury. (Photo: AFP)

Bollywood actor and jury member Aamir Khan addresses a press conference in Berlin. (Photo: AFP)

Members of the jury (from L) Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, German actress Nina Hoss, British costume designer Sandy Powell, Australian producer Jan Chapman, Italian actress and jury president Isabella Rossellini and Canadian producer Guy Maddin arrive on the red carpet for the premiere of the film True Grit in Berlin. (Photo: AFP)

Aamir Khan poses with the members of the Berlinale film festival jury around the empty chair of Iranian director Jafar Panahi during a press conference in Berlin on February 10, 2011. (Photo: AFP)

The seven-person jury, headed by Italian-American actress Isabella Rossellini, has been tasked with picking the winner of the coveted Golden and Silver Bear prizes in the festival. (Photo: AFP)

"There has been worldwide protest against this verdict that violates the right to freedom of opinion and expression," said the festival in a statement. (Photo: AFP)

"The Berlinale is holding a place open in the Jury for Jafar Panahi and in doing so wants to signal its support for his struggle for freedom." (Photo: AFP)

The festival features a financial crisis thriller starring Kevin Spacey and Demi Moore and a French 3D animated feature, amongst others. (Photo: AFP)

In all, it features 22 films in its main programme including 16 in the running for the festival's prizes. (Photo: AFP)

Aamir Khan, 44, has made a name for himself as one of the most bankable Bollywood stars on and off screen. (Photo: AP)