Melbourne film fest to celebrate 100 yrs of Bollywood

Mumbai: The upcoming Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema and showcase some of the most celebrated movies of the last century.

The festival, to be held from May 3 to 15, will celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema and showcase film like `Raja Harishchandra` (1913). It will close with the Australian premiere of `The Reluctant Fundamentalist` (2012). "The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is a wonderful demonstration of our growing cultural links and shows the creativity and innovation that Melbourne and Mumbai are both famous for," Louise Asher, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business in Australian state of Victoria, said here last night. Actress Vidya Balan, for the second time, has been chosen the brand ambassador of the mega event in the Australian city. "It gives me great pleasure to be the brand ambassador for the second time in a row. It has become like a sense of ownership now not just with the festival but also with the place. When anyone mentions Melbourne I feel like they are mentioning home," Vidya told reporters last night. "I used to feel the same about Kolkata and it will always remain special to me. After Kolkata the other important place for me is Melbourne. The common thing between the two places is trams," she said. The 13-day event will also see Pamela Chopra, wife of filmmaker Yash Chopra, visiting Melbourne to accept Lifetime Achievement Award for her late husband. The award will acknowledge Chopra`s contribution to film world and his special relationship with Victoria. The festival will pay tribute to the legendary filmmaker and screen his last film `Jab Tak Hai Jaan`, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. "I would love to shoot there (Melbourne) for a film. It is warmest place in terms of people and the way they receive Indian films and culture. I am looking forward to seeing `Raja Harishchandra` and other great films. And then tribute to Yashji will be another experience," Vidya said. Other guests expected at IFFM from the film industry include Simi Garewal, Prabhudeva, Kabir Khan, Farah Khan and Onir. PTI