The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2018 will see actress Rani Mukerji unfurl the Indian national flag at Federation Square on the Independence Day celebrations on 15 August. The actress has been invited as the chief guest to the festival, and will, as per tradition, hoist the flag on the occasion.
On 11 August, Mukerji will hoist the flag in front of thousands of Indian-Australians and people from the Subcontinent Diaspora who throng Federation Square just to see the hoisting of their national flag. Taking into consideration the weekend, every year IFFM ensures to celebrate the Indian Independence week at the iconic landmark. She will be in the company of the high commissioner of India in Australia and the mayor of Melbourne.
The actress is not only the chief guest, but has also been nominated in the category of best actress for her performance in Hichki (2018). "To unfurl the national flag is a matter of pride and great honour for every Indian and to be a part of such a prestigious occasion and do the honours outside your nation in a foreign land is even more special. I’m delighted, honoured, extremely humbled that they have chosen me to do the honours this year. I am really looking forward to be there at Federation Square in the company of all the Indian-Australian people."
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2018 will begin on 10 August and conclude on 22 August. In addition to Mukerji, the festival will see actors Dhanush, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha, Freida Pinto, directors Rajkumar Hirani, Onir, Rima Das, Rohena Gera, and writer Abhijat Joshi in attendance.