Director Sandeep Modi’s Marathi film Chumbak will be screened at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The film features lyricist-turned-actor Swanand Kirkire in a lead role for the first time.
Reacting on the news, Kirkire, in an official statement, said, “I am really excited that our film Chumbak is selected in the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and I am really looking forward for the response of Australian people that how do they receive the film.”
Speaking about the film, he added, “This is a film about 14-year-old boy and a 45-year-old elderly person and this is the film about which path to choose in life. You are always on the cross roads of right and wrong, of choosing what is good for you and what is good for everybody else.”
Superstar Akshay Kumar recently decided to present the film. Akshay ws bowled over by Kirkire's unusual role.
“I am very happy that a superstar like Akshay Kumar has agreed [to present the film]. I mean he has liked the film so much that he presenting the film now for us in India,” Kirkire said.
Chumbak also stars teenage actors Sahil Jadhav and Sangram Desai. The film will be released in India on 27 July.
Tabrez Noorani's Love Sonia, starring Mrunal Thakur, Richa Chadha, Frieda Pinto, Demi Moore, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao and Sai Tamhankar, will open the festival.
Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange had said it is an honour to have a movie, which deals with "such an important pressing topic", open the 12-day gala.