‘Shadowbox’ Set to Illuminate Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Bengali Drama Opens Festival with Australian Premiere
The 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will commence its cinematic showcase on August 14 with the Australian debut of **Tillotama Shome**’s poignant Bengali-language drama, “Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox.” This marks a significant step for the film, following its international premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
A Glimpse into Resilience
Co-helmed by directorial newcomers **Tanushree Das** and **Saumyananda Sahi**, the intimate character study delves into the life of Maya, portrayed by **Tillotama Shome** (“Sir,” “Death in the Gunj”). Maya juggles multiple demanding jobs while shouldering the care of her husband, Sundar (**Chandan Bisht**), who suffers from PTSD, and their teenage son, Debu (**Sayan Karmakar**). The narrative takes a critical turn when Sundar becomes entangled in a murder investigation, forcing Maya to confront societal biases and her own complex past decisions.
“’Baksho Bondi’ is incredibly close to my heart,” Shome, who also produced the film, stated. “Playing Maya was a lesson in listening to silences, in discovering strength in small acts, and in understanding how quiet resilience shapes women’s lives in a world that often overlooks them.”
—Tillotama Shome, Actor and Producer
The festival’s choice to open with “Baksho Bondi” underscores its dedication to championing independent regional cinema. According to UNESCO, India produces over 2,000 feature films annually, highlighting the vast landscape of stories waiting to be shared globally (UNESCO, 2018).
A Celebration of Diverse Voices
Festival director **Mitu Bhowmick Lange** described the film as an ideal beginning for the 2025 edition. She praised **Shome**’s performance as “extraordinary” and commended **Das** and **Sahi** for their creation of a film that is “tender, honest, and visually stunning,” resonating with themes of resilience and hope.
IFFM’s regional program features a rich tapestry of Indian cinema, including **Rima Das**’s acclaimed “Village Rockstars 2,” a Busan winner that follows a teenage guitarist navigating family duties and musical ambitions. Fasil Muhammed’s “Feminichi Fathima” centers on a Ponnani housewife whose quest to replace a mattress becomes a powerful symbol of personal liberation.
Further highlights include Aranya Sahay’s “Humans in the Loop,” focusing on an Adivasi woman working as an AI data labeler. **Lakshmipriya Devi**’s “Boong,” an Asia Pacific Screen Award winner, chronicles a Manipur boy’s search for his absent father. **Onir**’s “We Are Faheem & Karun” explores a clandestine romance within a remote Kashmiri village.
Vipin Radhakrishnan’s Tamil-language film “Angammal” tells the story of a city-bred man embarrassed by his mother’s traditional attire, while veteran filmmaker **Goutam Ghose**’s “Parikrama” weaves together the narratives of an Italian documentarian and a displaced Indian village boy along the Narmada River.
Supported by the Victorian Government, IFFM will run until August 24, culminating in an awards ceremony on August 15 that recognizes achievements across film and streaming categories. The festival continues its mission to be the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside of India, showcasing the vibrant diversity of contemporary Indian storytelling.