Bollywood is no longer just limited to India, rather it has gone global. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) kicked off this Friday, 10th August, with several Bollywood celebrities gracing the event.
The event got underway this morning with an official press conference with dignitaries like Rani Mukerji, Rajkumar Hirani, Freida Pinto, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Vicky Kaushal, Abhijat Joshi, Mrunal Thakur and comedian Saadiya Ali attending the kickoff event. Director of the festival, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, introduced all the actors present at the press conference.
At the event, Hichki star Mukerji spoke about the diverse Bollywood fraternity and expressed appreciation towards the Victorian government for supporting Indian films. ‘I’m really happy to be here representing my country, my film and my fraternity. A big thank you to the Victorian government for supporting the Indian film fraternity. The Indian film fraternity is so diverse, So many languages and cultures so it’s great to see films from various cultures under one roof. I thank Mitu for inviting me. And this trip is special because I’m coming here with my daughter. It’s the first time she’s seeing Melbourne,’ she said at the event.
Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto, who is popular for her work in international films and humanitarian efforts equally, shared details about her upcoming movie, Love Sonia.
She said, ‘Love Sonia gives you a glimpse into the world of oval sex trafficking But it still doesn’t show the entire world of it. Also, we didn’t want to make a gratuitous film. At the end of the day, we want people to understand the sense of what really happens in this part of the world and how much of it is kept away from us.’
Pinto continued, ‘So as an artist when you get an Opportunity to be part of such a film That can raise a global conversation, it’s fun to adapt to the character but it’s also but More than that you’re raising a very important topic which will leave the audiences with something to ponder on’.
Other than Frieda, Love Sonia also stars Mrunal Thakur, Richa Chadha, Demi Moore, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao and Sai Tamhankar
IFFM will continue from 10th August to the 22nd August in Melbourne, Australia, and will screen over 60 films from all across India and the subcontinent in over 22 languages. Also, fans will get an opportunity to interact with their favourite celebs in panel discussions and Q&A’s post the screening.
