Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar kick-start the 10th year celebrations Indian Film Festival of Melbourne!

8 Aug 2019

On August 8, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne kickstarted their tenth-year celebrations with a grand opening press conference that took place this morning at Melbournes Central Business District. The award winning film festival, considered amongst the largest Indian festivals in the world in the presence of Bollywoods whos who, amidst much frenzy and fanfare. Taking charge of the event, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, director of the festival introduced the programs of the festival. Given that the list includes names like SRK Karan Johar , and Tabu, none of who require an introduction, the excitement in the air was palpable. Martin Foley, Minister for Creative Industries for the Victorian Legislative Assembly, was present at the do. Shah Rukh Khan, the guest of honour at the festival was received with great love by the audience. The superstar, who has earlier shot Chak De India (one of his careers most memorable film) eloquently spoke about how much the city means to him. In his trademark charm, he quipped, Many years ago in 2006-07, I came here when I was a rising superstar giving hit films after hit films. And now I am back here again, still, a rising superstar not making as many hit films (chuckles), as much as I would want to do so. I thank everyone for the opportunity to speak here. When I was shooting for Chak De in the city, I used to play Trivial (a game) with crew members on set. Because of being an Indian film actor, we often feel localized. Its thus heartening that because of the Indian diaspora the second generation of Indians here (people like Mitu) Indian cinema is getting noticed. Its extremely gratifying and makes every Indian proud. I speak for everyone on the dais today that we are happy to be here. We are truly thrilled and super excited to host you as our https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChiefGuest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #ChiefGuest https://twitter.com/iamsrk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @iamsrk for the 10th year of https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFFM2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #IFFM2019 ! Thank you so much ???? https://twitter.com/FilmVictoria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @FilmVictoria https://twitter.com/mitublange?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @mitublange https://twitter.com/visitvictoria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @visitvictoria https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFFM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #IFFM https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFFM2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #IFFM2019 https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheKingHasArrived?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #TheKingHasArrived https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFFMwithSRK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #IFFMwithSRK https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFFMPressCon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #IFFMPressCon https://twitter.com/hashtag/Big10?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #Big10 https://twitter.com/hashtag/SRKInMelbourne?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #SRKInMelbourne https://t.co/qGlcVNwSK4 pic.twitter.com/qGlcVNwSK4 @IFFM (@IFFMelb) https://twitter.com/IFFMelb/status/1159300690713305089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw August 8, 2019 Witty and sharp as always, SRKs energy was matched by long-time collaborator and dear friend, Karan. As their wisecracks entertained audiences, they also spoke about the overarching theme of courage. Karan said, I have to start by thanking Mitu who has been such a strong force right through the festival. Its not the films but the people behind the festival who make it what it is. When I see this fantastic panel and we say the theme is courage, I say the panel is reflective of the glorious courage of our films and changing the face of Indian cinema. It represents three feature films that have changed the way we look at Indian cinema and how it has travelled across the globe and will continue to do so. There is Super Deluxe, Andhadhun and Gully Boy.All of these have appealed not only to the diaspora but to international audiences across the globe, making Indian cinema so proud. And what to say about Shah Rukh Khan, he fully represents superstardom. I firmly believe, in the era, we belonged to, the term is understood because of him. Its not just about his large heart but his tremendous presence and aura. The fact that he is an outstanding actor is hugest icing on the cake. I look forward to my time here and all the selection of movies is on point and resonant with the theme of courage. We thrive for such https://twitter.com/hashtag/PicturePerfectMoments?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #PicturePerfectMoments ! https://twitter.com/iamsrk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @iamsrk https://twitter.com/VijaySethuOffl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @VijaySethuOffl https://twitter.com/SGayathrie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @SGayathrie https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tabu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #Tabu and https://twitter.com/arjunk26?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @arjunk26 in one frame exclusively at https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFFM2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #IFFM2019 ! https://twitter.com/FilmVictoria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @FilmVictoria https://twitter.com/visitvictoria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw @visitvictoria https://twitter.com/hashtag/VisitMelbourne?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #VisitMelbourne https://twitter.com/hashtag/iffm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #iffm https://twitter.com/hashtag/iffmpresscon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #iffmpresscon https://twitter.com/hashtag/iffmwithsrk?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #iffmwithsrk https://twitter.com/hashtag/big10?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #big10 https://twitter.com/hashtag/bestofindiancinema?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #bestofindiancinema https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheKingHasArrived?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw #TheKingHasArrived https://t.co/MBcoZMZibB pic.twitter.com/MBcoZMZibB @IFFM (@IFFMelb) https://twitter.com/IFFMelb/status/1159318189324419072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw August 8, 2019 Also in attendance were Zoya Akhtar, Rima Das, Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Vijay Sethupathi,