INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF MELBOURNE ANNOUNCES DATES AND EMBRACES ‘INCLUSION’ AS ITS 2018 THEME

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) – the southern hemisphere's greatest annual celebration of Indian cinema – today announces details for their much anticipated 2018 program.

Taking place from 10th–22nd August under the unifying theme of ‘Inclusion’, this year’s Festival offers all Australians the opportunity to explore the richness and diversity of contemporary Indian cinema, from Bollywood box-office hits, documentaries and art-house premieres, to a Bollywood dance competition and master classes with key figures from the Indian film industry. 

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has seen the biggest Bollywood names grace the festival. From Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar, Rishi Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Rani Mukherjee, Konkona Sen Sharma, Richa Chadha and many more celebrated industry individuals. The festival sees over 40,000 patrons from India and the Sub-Continent every year attending various events that are hosted all over the vibrant city of Melbourne. 

IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange is also thrilled to announce BMW as the sponsor of the 2018 BMW Short Film Competition, providing an invaluable platform for aspiring and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work. The winning entry will be shown at screenings throughout the festival, and the winning filmmakers will be flown across the globe: the Australian winner to India, and the Indian winner to Australia.

Judging the award will be IFFM’s Special Guest, and acclaimed actor Ali Fazal, named by Variety as one of the ‘10 actors to watch in 2017’. Fazal’s recent credits include the lead role of Abdul opposite Dame Judi Dench’s Queen Victoria in Victoria and Abdul, and the Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots. He has recently signed on Prassthanam with Sanjay Dutt and Milan Talkies with Tigmanshu Dhulia 

IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmick-Lange commented: “The theme of inclusion is the principal belief of our festival and we very excited to explore it through our BMW Short Film Competition” 

"I am thrilled to be a part of IFFM 2018. This will be my first time at the festival and I am honoured to be on the jury for the short film competition. It’s great to know that we will get to see some wonderful work by talent from across India and filmmakers down under.” - Ali Fazal 

Past winners of the IFFM Short Film Competition have gone on to stellar careers, including 2013 winner Jehan Ratnatunga, currently working at YouTube in Los Angeles, and 2011 winner Varun Sharma, who has taken up a role at the leading Indian production company, Yash Raj Films. 

The Festival is seeking short film submissions of 10 minutes or less that reflect the theme of ‘Inclusion’. Entry is free and the winners will be announced by July 31. Closing date for entries is June 30, 2018. IFFM 2018 is accepting entries via Film Freeway.

Website link: http://iffm.com.au/shortfilm.html 

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne was established in 2012 as an initiative of the Victorian Government and has established itself as an important part of the State’s cultural calendar. In 2016, the festival was honoured with the much respected Melbourne Award for contribution in Multiculturalism.

Diljit Dosanjh stuns Alex Reece with onstage shout-out amidst 12,000 fans in London

Bollywood and Punjabi films heartthrob Diljit Dosanjh shocked Hollywood actor Alex Reece when he gave him a shout-out from the stage of his music concert in London.

After working in quite a few British and Hollywood movies, this year Alex made his debut in Indian cinema. He played the negative lead opposite Diljit in the Punjabi film Sajjan Singh Rangroot directed by Pankaj Batra, and is now looking at playing more villainous roles in Bollywood next. 

Diljit's production team had arranged VIP passes for Alex and some other cast and crew members of the movie to attend his live concert at Wembley arena in London. Alex was already feeling overwhelmed witnessing the humongous fan-craze for Diljit at the musical event, when all of a sudden Diljit mentioned him amidst a packed crowd of 12,000 fans. 

Recognizing him has Diljit's co-star, some of his ultra-lively Punjabi fans in the crowd instinctively lifted Alex on their shoulders and started dancing. "I was so surprised and overjoyed, I almost froze," laughs the Hollywood actor. 

"It took me a while to get hold of my thoughts. I have never witnessed such fervor and frenzy in my life," exclaims Alex, who is well-known for his appearance in a mega-budget James Bond commercial starring Daniel Craig. 

"Even during the making of the film, Diljit always made it a point to praise me and appreciate my work. But with this live shout-out from stage, he took it to just another level. This was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life and I will never forget his gesture," says Alex.

Elnaaz Norouzi to feature in Guru Randhawa's Made In India

When chart-topping Punjabi singer-composer Guru Randhawa first met actress Elnaaz Norouzi on the sets of his new music video, he began praising her "stunning looks" to a unit member in Punjabi. Elnaaz being an Iranian by birth, Guru obviously thought she wouldn't understand Hindi or Punjabi. But Elnaaz, who actually speaks seven languages including fluent Hindi, stunned Guru when she pitched in, thanking him in Punjabi.

The couple's onscreen chemistry would be on display this week, as T-Series releases Guru's latest Punjabi single Made In India. Crazily famous among his legion of diehard fans, Guru will be seen wooing Elnaaz in the video, which has been shot in Milan and Lake Como in Italy. The lyrics have him praising his girl for her out-of-this-world beauty and describing how she looks as if she is made in India.

Written, composed and sung by Guru himself, Made In India's teaser is already out. Going by the sound of it, the number seems to be yet another potential blockbuster, just like his last smashing hit single Raat Kamaal Hai. Catchy, happy, racy and peppy. 

Elnaaz who is going to be seen for the first time in a music video, is quite excited. "Guru is as chilled-out as his hairdo," she quips with a wink. "I was wondering how my experience would be, but I must say, he made shooting a lot of fun." 

The actress has earlier worked with megastar Salman Khan in a popular cola commercial and even on the Being Human ad campaign, apart from doing two prominent commercials with megastar Shah Rukh Khan. She's also played the lead in a Punjabi film Khido Khundi.

Next month, Elnaaz will be seen in the role of a film actress in the upcoming Netflix series Sacred Games; the streaming giant’s first Indian original show with Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte.

YRF’S HICHKI TO BE SHOWN AT BELT AND ROAD FILM WEEK OF SHANGHAI FILM FESTIVAL

YRF’s Rani Mukerji starrer Hichki has won over audiences across India with its touching and positive story. Now, the film is set to impress on international platforms. This unusual, positive story about turning one’s weakness to a strength will screen at the prestigious Shanghai International Film Festival. Hichki, with a stellar performance by Rani Mukerji, will be shown as part of The Belt and Road Week in China. 

The Belt and Road Week is a one of it’s kind ambitious and global initiative initiated by Shanghai to cooperate and share quality films with universal appeal across thirty international film festivals. Some of the participants in this Week include the Talinn Black Nights Film Festival, the Cairo Film Festival and the Malaysian Film Festival. Movies that crossover to audiences effortlessly and bring stories that can entertain across nations and cultures are included in its line up. That Hichki, a film that focuses on a determined teacher dealing with Tourette Syndrome, is part of it shows just how powerful the film’s message is. 

Director, Siddharth Malhotra said, “I am absolutely looking forward to presenting Hichki at The Belt and Road Film Week at Shanghai International Film Festival. It’s a huge honour and a big opportunity and I am very grateful that they have included our film. I am also thrilled and touched at the love and applause Hichki has brought us. Rani and the kids take most of the credit for its victory onscreen, and I think Hichki will take her to a whole new global audience.” 

Hichki will be screened at Shanghai on June 16 as part of the festival’s opening day on Saturday. Siddharth will interact with press and members of audience after the screening here.

Yami's hair transformation for her look in Uri will surely make heads turn

Yami Gautam has played diverse roles, be it in Vicky Donor or Kaabil or Sarkarr 3. The actress has always delved into a role and made it her own. This is exactly what she has done with her upcoming film, Uri. The actress has not only taken to transforming herself physically but has also had a complete make over look wise. She took to her Instagram this morning to announce her new look. The actress is currently sporting a stylish bob, this is the first time she has cut her hair for a role.

The hair transformation was done over the weekend when the actress and a team of three hair stylists and the director worked on how her hair should look in the film. The actress looks extremely hot and now we cannot wait to see her complete look in the film, sporting this new hairdo.

Uri is based on the Uri attacks that took place in 2016. The film is the directorial debut of Aditya Dhar and Yami will be seen opposite Vicky Kaushal in the film.

Speaking about it, Yami said, “I was extremely excited when the character needed this specific look for the film. When Aditya discussed it with me, I jumped at the opportunity of making my character more believable. So we did a few trials and then went ahead with it. I am loving my look, hope audiences love it too"