Mind Blowing Entertainment has announced that MY MELBOURNE – a unique anthology feature film interweaving four powerful stories exploring sexuality, gender, race and disability, shot and situated in Melbourne, releases into Australian cinemas on Thursday 6 March 2025.
“It’s been almost ten since an Australian film has released in India so we are absolutely delighted that the film will be screening in more than 22 cities across the country,” said Producer Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM.
MY MELBOURNE is a truly inclusive feature film, celebrating diverse voices and talents. Four of India’s finest filmmakers – Kabir Khan, Onir, Rimas Das, and Imtiaz Ali – worked with emerging creatives from under-represented backgrounds to create this film about identity and belonging based on authentic migrant experience.
Each of the film’s four narratives are Inspired by true stories or lived experiences, and together create a portrait of life in today’s multi-cultural Melbourne. From the early stages of writing to the final cut, the Indian directors and their professional teams mentored the local cast and crew, and were in Melbourne for each of the shoots.
NANDINI
A story of grief and forgiveness, NANDINI follows the reunion of a gay Indian man, Indraneel and his father Mihir after many years of estrangement. The pair are thrust together again when Mihir comes from India to complete the Asthi Visarjan ash spreading ceremony after the passing of his late wife, Indraneel’s mother.
JULES
Sakshi is a 23-year-old newly married woman who has recently moved to Melbourne Jules is a 52-year-old homeless wanderer with a sharp tongue, a survivor’s spirit and a flair for crossword puzzles and poetry. Their worlds collide on the pavement of St Kilda with unexpected results.
SETARA
Fifteen year old Setara joins a local cricket team as she attempts to rebuild her life in Melbourne after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan with her mother and older sister.
EMMA
Synopsis: 20 year old Emma is a talented deaf dancer living with Usher Syndrome who has increasing doubts about her sense of self and her prospects of a career in professional dance. Since childhood, she has dreamed of being a dancer but industry discrimination and other attitudes are holding her back. Despite the support of her family and friends it is not until she meets Nathan, a highly successful deaf dancer who is at peace with himself hat she regains her self belief.
Featuring in the films are acclaimed Australian actors Kat Stewart (OFFSPRING), and Arka Das (LION), cricket coach and legendary player Brad Hodge, Hindi star Arushi Sharma, Nathan Borg – the first deaf actor to appear in Neighbours, and a number of exciting new talents, such as Afghanistan refugee and budding cricket star Setara Amiri, each playing roles close to their own lived experiences.
“Our goal for My Melbourne is not only to create an entertaining feature film that is authentic, contemporary, honest and relevant but also to discover and nurture the next generation of underrepresented diverse filmmakers and their unique stories,” said Producer Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM.
“Working with some of the most respected filmmakers in the world, our local creatives have learnt from the best without compromising on their cultural and authentic narrative styles.”
The title track of MY MELBOURNE is sung by Janaki Eshwar, known for being the youngest contestant on The Voice Australia and a highly accomplished singer, and Parvyn Kaur Singh, the former frontwoman of the cult band, The Bombay Royale. The second track, Azadi, has been sung in both Hindi and Dari by Aryana Sayeed, who is one of Afghanistan’s most loved and inspiring singers and activists, dubbed ‘the Taylor Swift of Afghanistan’.
MY MELBOURNE screens in cinemas across Australia from Thursday 6 March 2025. For more information, visit: www.mindblowingfilms.com for details. Checkout the trailer here!
Image: MY MELBOURNE (supplied)