The 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is thrilled to announce that its full program is now live. The festival will feature some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, offering audiences a chance to enjoy exciting premieres, star-studded events, and screenings.
This year’s IFFM will showcase over 65 films, including 20 by female directors who are challenging the status quo with strong and powerful narratives. The films span 26 different languages, some of which are extremely rare. Audiences can look forward to six world premieres.
The festival will kick off with the world premiere of My Melbourne, directed by four iconic Indian filmmakers—Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan. Filmed entirely in Melbourne, My Melbourne features four diverse stories based on true incidents and centered on the themes of sexuality, gender, disability, and race. All four directors, along with key cast and crew, will attend the Opening Night.
Several of India’s biggest stars will be in Melbourne for the festival, including award-winning actress Rani Mukerji, who rose to fame with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and has since enjoyed numerous successes. Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar will also attend the IFFM Awards Night on 16 August at the Palais Theatre. Johar, known for launching several successful careers through his company Dharma Productions, has directed many award-winning films, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001).
One of India’s most successful filmmakers, Rajkumar Hirani, will be present at the IFFM Awards Night and IFFM Chats. Hirani’s 3 Idiots (2009) was the highest-grossing Indian film of its time.
IFFM Festival Director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, expressed her excitement about the festival’s 15th year, “Our 15th annual IFFM will showcase many important voices from India, telling poignant stories about human rights, identity, family, love, loneliness, and coming of age. We’re thrilled to see a significant increase in the number of female filmmakers pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes. We look forward to celebrating the best in Indian cinema with our audiences.”
Program highlights include the world premiere of Little Thomas, directed by Kaushal Oza, which tells the story of a seven-year-old boy who desperately wants a little brother. Another highlight is The Zebras—Dark Start, directed by Aneek Chaudhuri, about a documentary photographer in Kolkata who creates virtual monsters with AI. Manorajyam, directed by Rasheed Parakkal, will also premiere, featuring a story about a Melbourne businessman and the complexities of love and loyalty in the digital age.
The festival will also screen Wild Swans, directed and written by Rajni Basumatary. Set in the foothills of Bodoland, Northeast India, the film follows Preeti, a doctoral student whose romanticized view of rural life is shattered by the realities of militarization and patriarchy.
Grammy and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman will attend the world premiere of Headhunting to Beatboxing: A Musical Renaissance. Directed by Rohit Gupta and produced by Rahman, the documentary explores the cultural and musical revival of the Naga tribe in Nagaland, India. Rahman will also participate in IFFM Chats on 17 August at The Edge in Federation Square.
The annual Remitly IFFM Dance Competition will take place on 17 August at Federation Square, judged by Indian actress, dancer, and model Malaika Arora, and Canadian dancer, model, and actress Nora Fatehi. Lakshya, known for his versatile roles in television and cinema, will also be a guest judge.
The IFFM Regional Rhapsody Program will start on August 24, featuring films like Mrs, directed by Arati Kadav and starring Sanya Malhotra. Malhotra, who won Best Actress at the 2024 New York Indian Film Festival for this role, will attend the screening along with Kadav. The program will also include Padatik, directed by Srijit Mukherji, which chronicles Mrinal Sen’s journey as an idealistic filmmaker in post-independence India.
The IFFM Closing Night on 25 August will feature Girls Will Be Girls, directed by Shuchi Talati. The film, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, follows the story of 16-year-old Mira and her young mother, exploring themes of rebellion and coming of age.
Sanya Malhotra’s Mrs to have its Australian Premiere
IFFM will feature the Australian premiere of Mrs, starring Sanya Malhotra and directed by Arati Kadav. Both Malhotra and Kadav will attend the event.
Mrs explores the life of a trained dancer and dance teacher, played by Malhotra, as she navigates the challenges of marriage and self-discovery. The film, a Hindi remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, also stars Kanwaljit Singh and Nishant Dahiya.
Presented by Jio Studios and Baweja Studios, Mrs is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, and Harman Baweja. Malhotra won Best Actress for the film at the New York Indian Film Festival and is nominated for Best Actress at IFFM 2024.
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