Noted filmmaker from Assam, India, Rima Das has turned her lens on Melbourne for her latest project. She contributed to My Melbourne, a film series by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), where directors spotlight real stories of gender, sexuality, race, and disability within Melbourne’s diverse community.
Das joined an iconic team of directors, including Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, and Onir, to craft four remarkable short films that celebrate Melbourne’s core values of diversity and inclusivity. My Melbourne premiered on the festival’s opening night on Thursday.
Das worked on Emma, one of the four films, which tells the story of a talented deaf dancer struggling with self-doubt and discrimination. Her journey takes a turn when she meets another deaf dancer, whose inspiration helps her embrace her uniqueness and discover her true self.
“It was truly a wonderful experience working on Emma. It’s an unforgettable film for us because it addresses disability. It was also my first time working with an authentic cast, which makes this film especially significant,” says Das, who is in Melbourne for the ongoing Indian Film Festival.
The experience also gave her a profound sense of purpose. She reflects, “Sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones to try new things can be daunting, but through this film, I realised how blessed and honoured I was to work with such incredibly talented individuals. They are truly special, and inclusivity is not just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. It’s not about sympathy but about empathy, respect, and providing opportunities. I believe this film will spark conversations and drive positive change.”
It also allowed her to learn and evolve as a filmmaker. Emma was Das’s first film working outside India, and while she initially had some fears about collaborating with an Australian cast and crew, she found that the universal emotional connection among people helped her bond with the diverse team. She describes the experience as a “beautiful challenge”.
Das began her filmmaking journey with her first short film, Pratha, in 2009. However, it was in 2017 that she made a significant breakthrough when her film Village Rockstars was selected from 28 entries in India to become the first Assamese film to be submitted for the Oscars. The film also won India’s National Award for Best Film and Best Editor.
The film follows the story of Dhunu, a girl from a village in Assam who dreams of owning a guitar and forming a rock band. Das, who grew up in the small village of Kalardia in the Kamrup district of Assam, says, “Sometimes, you imagine things, but having lived that life in Kalardia really helped me, along with a lot of other good influences. I truly lived Dhunu’s life.”
The recognition changed Das’s life. “Not just my life, but our lives,” she shares. “It gave me the courage and confidence, especially since I don’t come from a film school. There were many doubts, but it provided a kind of conviction and validation, you could say.”
She adds, “Now I get access to the film fraternity; my life is easier … a lot of good things.”
Above all, Das is known for her versatility in filmmaking, taking on multiple roles—from writing and directing to editing and costume design—making her a true one-woman crew.
“(But) I didn’t have a choice,” she modestly explains.
Growing up in a small place, Das recalls an environment where films were “meant to be watched, not made.” The idea of becoming a filmmaker never even crossed her mind during those early years.
It wasn’t until later in life that Das began to see herself as a storyteller, channelling her passion for cinema into a groundbreaking career.
The shift came when she moved to Mumbai to pursue acting, driven by her childhood passion. However, feeling “limited” by the city’s opportunities, she discovered new inspiration in world cinema and realised her true calling was to tell stories. She returned home to start her journey as a filmmaker.
And instead of waiting for producers or “lacking the courage to approach” them, she bought a camera and started making films independently. It gave her freedom, and despite the challenges, Das enjoyed working on her own projects.
Her next project is a sequel to Village Rockstars, which is coming very soon, she shares.
Das’s films have long been a kind of a collective hearth, and in that sense, coming to Melbourne is starting to feel the same. “Coming to Melbourne feels like coming home; I always love coming back,” she says.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs from August 15 to August 25. For more details, click here.
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