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The 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) officially kicked off on August 14 with a star-studded press conference that brought together some of the biggest names from Indian cinema.
The opening event set the tone for a festival celebrating the diversity, scale and global impact of Indian storytelling.
The press conference was attended by superstars Rishab Shetty and Dulquer Salmaan and actor Vijay Varma, alongside Manushi Chhillar, singer Nikhita Gandhi and Dolly Singh.
The gathering also saw the presence of acclaimed filmmakers Nikkhil Advani, Vikram Phadnis, R. Gowtham, Kaizad Gustad and R.S. Prasanna, along with the cast of Lala and Poppy.
The artistes and filmmakers came together to speak about their work, their association with IFFM, the changing landscape of Indian cinema and the growing international interest in Indian stories. The diverse line-up of talent also reflected IFFM’s continued focus on bringing together voices from across India’s many film industries and creative disciplines.
Rishab Shetty spoke about the growing global recognition of Indian cinema and the significance of platforms such as IFFM in taking Indian stories and regional voices to audiences across the world.
Rishab Shetty said, “i feel proud to be here. They’re invited me here to represent Kannada cinema, and I’m very proud of it. To see Kannada cinema get such recognition on an international stage is simply marvellous. To be with literally the entire Indian cinema representatives and so many people here from the Indian film industry. I wish all the best to all the filmmakers at the festival”.
Dulquer Salmaan shared his thoughts on the changing landscape of Indian cinema and the growing appreciation for Indian films and artistes among international audiences.
Dulquer Salmaan said, “it’s my first time here in Australia. I’m glad that the start is with Indian film festival of Melbourne. I’m happy to be here with my film Lokah, celebrating Kerala’s folklore mixed with a superhero story. I’m the glad has traveled so much, more than we could have ever imagined”.
The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne continued its tradition of celebrating Indian cinema on an international platform, bringing together established stars, acclaimed filmmakers and emerging voices. The opening press conference marked the beginning of an edition that showcased the richness and diversity of Indian storytelling while creating a space for meaningful conversations around cinema, culture and representation.
