By Neeraj Nanda
Melbourne: Bollywood starlet Vidya Balan will launch the Indian Film Festival 2012, here on 11 May, 2012 at the Hoyts Melbourne Central. The program will include the screening of Vidhya Balan’s recent box office hit ‘The Dirty Picture’.
‘Ooh La La’ Vidya Balan is the brand Ambassador of the festival to be held in mid-year.The full program and details of the festival will be announced during the launch.Vidya had last last year visited Melbourne as part of the Bollywood Film festival organised by the Mind Blowing Films.
Talking to Indian Express, Vidya said that she is delighted to be named as the brand ambassador of the said festival and that she loves the format of the festival and the wide range of films screened there. She also added that the festival not only showcases the best of Indian cinema, but also provides a platform for young, upcoming filmmakers through its short film competition.
“Recalling her association with the Melbourne city, she said that when she was in Melbourne, she was smitten by the city and its love for films and its multi-cultural spirit. She added that she is confident that the festival will contribute greatly to add to that spirit,” reports the Indian Express.
Director of the Festival and co-director of the Mind Blowing Films, Mitu Bhowmick Lange said,
“This contract allows us to develop a fantastic festival program,including both”mainstream
and niche arthouse Indian cinema, regional films, and a focus on fostering relationships
between filmmakers in Australia and India.”
The 10-day festival will take place in mid-2012 and will showcase the depth and diversity of the Indian film industry. The festival , according to reports, has been awarded to the leading Bollywood company Mind Blowing Films,who were earlier holding their own similar festival over the years. The Victorian Government is expected to considerably fund the Victoria’s Indian Film Festival 2012.
