Likes of Rishi Kapoor, Richa Chadha, Fawad Khan and Sonam Kapoor enthrall Australian cinema goers

The biggest Indian film festival outside of the Indian soil, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne kickstarted with much fanfare amidst a grand opening ceremony at the Sofitel,Investment Centre attended by the who's who of Bollywood including Richa Chadda,Fawad Khan,Shalmali Kholgade,Leena Yadav,Radika Apte,Shakun Bhatra etc. Themed around women empowerment this year the opening night film was Parched directed by Leena Yadav and saw the attendance of its lead actress Radhika Apte on the red carpet amongst other guests.


This years festivals chief guest Rishi Kapoor along with special guests,spoke delightfully about Indian cinema at the opening night. Rishi Kapoor stated "I hope that this tradition continues, we come here and entertain you. I must also thank Fawad who is leading and very dashing actor from Pakistan. I am very happy that he has been part of this contingent Indian Film Festival that only translates one thing that our cinema speaks one language, we have one vision, we have only one secular language and that is only Cinema. We have worked together and the film which we were part of was directed by Shakun Batra, 'Kapoor & Sons'. Thank you once again and I hope we have a great festival".

The day began with an official press conference with Leena Yadav and Richa Chadha who spoke extensively to the Australian press about Indian cinema. The opening film Parched received a thunderous response from a packed theatre.

The festival that began on 11th August will end on 20th August and has some of best films across the Indian sub continent being screening and premiered at the festival. The festival also has an array of other interesting events including special masterclasses by influential cinematic personalities, a Bollywood dance competition amongst others.