Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, Kabir Khan and Onir have worked on the shorts for an anthology titled My Melbourne, which will get an India-wide release by PVR Cinemas on March 14.
As the title suggests, the anthology is a collection of four stories set in Melbourne that addresses themes such as race, gender, sexuality and disability.
The project had its world premiere at the 15th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne last year and was later screened at the MAMI International Film Festival.
The shorts in the anthology are: Emma directed by Rima Das, Nandini directed by Onir; Setara directed by Kabir Khan; and Jules directed by Arif Ali (with Imtiaz Ali as creative director). All films span different languages, such as Hindi, English, Bengali, Dari, and Auslan for the sake of diversity and authenticity.
Speaking about the project, Imtiaz Ali called it an "emotional and thought-provoking journey" that "seamlessly blends multiple narratives while staying true to a shared vision of inclusivity."
Rima Das calls her Emma a "profoundly personal film that explores the essence of human connection, overcoming limitations and circumstances to reveal our shared humanity. "I love telling human stories that resonate deeply with the heart and soul. These stories strive to craft a cinematic journey that is both intimate and universally resonant. My Melbourne is more than just a film."
Kabir Khan's film Setara, on the other hand, is based on the actor's own life journey and has her playing herself. "It delves into themes of resilience and identity, which are deeply personal yet universally relevant. Working on this project has been an enriching experience, and I can't wait for Indian audiences to witness these stories on the big screen," he added.
Onir said he is proud to have associated with a project that "speaks of acceptance and self-discovery." His film Nandini is about "representation and identity, themes that need to be addressed now more than ever."
An Indo-Australian venture, My Melbourne has the backing of the Victorian government's screen agency Vic Screen and Screen Australia.
