'Thithi', 'Angry Indian Goddesses' to screen at IFFM

Melbourne, Jun 21: "Thithi", "Ottaal", "Parched" and "Angry Indian Goddesses" are among the 50 movies that would be screened at the fifth Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) to be held here from August 11 till 21.

Leena Yadav-directed film "Parched" will be the opening film, while Pan Nalin's "Angry Indian Goddesses" has been announced as the closing film of the festival.

The festival will feature a special awards night, a flag hoisting event by Bollywood star Rish Kapoor and a Q&A session with festival guests like Vidya Balan and Richa Chadha.

The program was officially launched by Mind Blowing Films head Mitu Bhowmick in the presence of Melbourne based Consul General Manika Jain at a press conference held here yesterday.

Commending Bhowmick's effort to run the Bollywood festival successfully every year on a theme, Jain said that Indian government was currently working on 'Festival of India' initiative to be held this year which will further showcase Indian arts and culture Down Under.

Bhowmick said the opening night will screen Leena Yadav directed film 'Parched' followed by the awards night the next day that would present musical performance by Pakistani singer Sarah Haider, award-winning singer Shalmali Kholgade and other notable local performers.

Like last year, IFFM celebrations will coincide with the Indian Independence day and this year Rishi will hoist the tricolor at the iconic building of Federal Square in Melbourne.

A Bollywood dance competition, a charity initiative event would also be part of this year's festival.

The festival will also announce the awards in the categories of the best film, best actor, best director, best actress, and best Indie film.

The nominations for best actor include Shah Rukh Khan for "Fan", Nawazuddin Siddiqui for "Raman Raghav 2.0", Ranveer Singh for "Bajirao Mastani" and Manoj Bajapi for "Aligarh".

In the female category nominees include Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Radhika Apte and Rituparna Sengupta.

The best film nominations included "Neerja", "Kapoor & Sons", "Bajirao Mastani" and "Raman Raghav 2.0."

IFFM has been dubbed as an important Indian cultural event for Melbourne drawing over 35000 attendees last year.