| Festival Ambassador Vidya Balan |
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Following last year’s one-two punch of The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, Vidya Balan is indisputably India’s most revered actress.
Perhaps uniquely, Balan can open a picture while also redefining how Indian women are portrayed on screen. Modest, graceful and supremely talented, we could not have a better Festival Ambassador. |
| Message from Vidya Balan |
“I’m excited, and honoured, to be back for another Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. In fact, I feel doubly lucky in that I have the opportunity to help promote Indian cinema, but I also strengthen my ties with Melbourne.
This year we pay tribute to the late, great Yash Chopra who helped put Indian cinema on the world map. Though I never worked with Yashji, he never failed to call me on my birthday or to congratulate me on a film doing well. He was a true gentleman and his legacy will live forever.
We do have a reason to celebrate, however: The 100th anniversary of Indian feature films. If you’re new to our films, this is your chance to sample some of the classics that have made ours one of the most vibrant industries in the world. And on a personal note, don’t miss my favourite release of 2012, Barfi! This beautiful film shows that 100 years later we are still going strong. I hope you enjoy many of the delights on offer at this year’s Indian Film Festival of Melbourne - the wonderful shorts from upcoming film makers, the mad energetic Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition, and the wide array of films - and enjoy them as much as all of us have enjoyed bringing it to you!” |
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Premier of Victoria
Minister For Innovation
Festival Director
FESTIVAL AMBASSADOR
the Lord Mayor
