The
Indian
Film
Festival
of
Melbourne
kickstarted
their
10th
year
celebrations
with
a
grand
opening
press
conference
that
took
place
this
morning
in
Melbourne.
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
Shahrukh
Khan,
Karan
Johar
and
Tabu,
none
of
who
require
an
introduction,
the
excitement
in
the
air
was
palpable.
Khan,
the
guest
of
honour
at
the
festival
was
received
with
great
love
by
the
audience.
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.
It's
heartening
that
because
of
the
Indian
diaspora
-
the
second
generation
of
Indians
here
(people
like
Mitu),
Indian
cinema
is
getting
noticed.
It's
extremely
gratifying
and
makes
every
Indian
proud.
I
speak
for
everyone
on
the
dias
today,
that
we
are
happy
to
be
here."
Witty
and
sharp
as
always,
Khan's
energy
was
matched
by
long-time
collaborator
and
dear
friend
KJo.
Karan
said,
"It's
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
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.
It's
not
just
about
his
large
heart
but
his
tremendous
presence
and
aura.
The
fact
that
he
is
an
outstanding
actor
is
(the)
hugest
icing
on
the
cake."
Also
in
attendance
were
Zoya
Akhtar,
Rima
Das,
Arjun
Kapoor,
Vijay
Sethupathi,
Gayathrie,
Tabu
and
filmmaker
Sriram
Raghavan
who
are
screening
last
year's
biggest
hit
Andhadhun.