Abhishek Bachchan, cricketer Kapil Dev to hoist tricolour at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

Actor Abhishek Bachchan and former Indian captain Kapil Dev will hoist the national flag at the upcoming Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) next month. The duo will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of Indian independence.

Bachchan, who is attending the festival as a key guest, said it was a huge honour for him to be invited to participate in the celebration of cinema. He said, “It’s a matter of pride for me to hoist the Indian national flag in the iconic Federation Square. It’s an event where Indians from all across Australia, from all different backgrounds, will come together to celebrate India at 75. This is a mark of the friendship between Australia and India.”

“To share this platform with Kapil sir is momentous for me and the event is also a mark of the coming together of cinema and cricket, two things that have often united us Indians together,” he added. “Looking forward to celebrating India, Indians and the spirit of our country amongst hundreds of people who will be in attendance to celebrate this landmark moment and event.”

Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange commented on the festival’s return to a physical edition after two years and shared, “India is completing 75 years of independence and this event is a mark to celebrate this landmark moment. We are ecstatic to have Kapil Dev and Abhishek Bachchan jointly come together this year to do the honours of hoisting the Indian tricolour. It’s a mark of the friendship that our country celebrates with Australia and with these two icons coming together is the perfect amalgamation of cinema and cricket.”

Dev, who led the team which brought home India’s first World Cup win in 1983 against West Indies, also had a special cameo in Kabir Khan’s 83 (2021), which recreated the historic event on film.

IFFM, which is showcasing more than 100 critically acclaimed movies, is being held both physically and virtually, from 12 to 20 August. The festival will open with Anurag Kashyap’s Dobaaraa (2022), which stars Taapsee Pannu.