MELBOURNE, 21 August 2023: The Indian Film festival of Melbourne-2023 wrapped up today evening with Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Kennedy’, where an insomniac ex-cop dwelling in many situations is looking for redemption. The ex-cop, who is presumed dead for a long time, operates secretly for the corrupt system. It’s inspired from a years old real story when Mumbai was Bombay. Anurag Kashyap was present with Sunny Leone, Rahul Bhat and Megha Burman.
The show was preceded by a glittering red carpet welcome for Anurag Kashyap and team at the Hoyts, Docklands. The excitement was there and fans in big numbers taking photos from iPhones and trying to have a glimpse of Sunny Leone, Canadian born Indo-Canadian actress in the Indian film industry since 2005. Rahul Bhat, who is the protagonist (Kennedy), looked different but smiling without the beard he sprouts in Kennedy. Anshuman Jha and his team (Lord Curzon Ki Haveli) were there. And, Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange welcoming the guests with smiles.
The 143 minutes movie needs a full review (Soon!), no doubt, was with shades of the typical Anurag Kashyap style. The violence in the movie is gruesome. The dark noir feeling is compelling. One can have a different view also. Anyway, Anurag answered to viewers questions after the movie. One of his revelation was that the man who inspired the Kennedy character, is alive. I am sure he has watched or will watch the movie. Why is the crime genre attractive? Depends how you see things, but does it not reflect a big part of the world we see.
This was IFFM’s 14th edition. So many movies, panel discussions and debates engulfed the festival. I would have preferred the flag hoisting event at the Federation Square. This was one of the best IFFM, as far as the content of the movies goes. Well done, Mitu Bhowmick Lange and her festival team.
