Laapataa Ladies to open Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on Feb 29 ahead of theatrical release

Kiran Rao’s second directorial, the much talked about Laapataa Ladies is all set to open the second Summer edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) at the end of this month.

The IFFM, into its 15th year, is known for showing its global viewers the lively spirit of desi cinema. The IFFM Summer Festival will open on February 29 and go on till March 2.

Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, which had first had its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, has been appreciated by critics and has received many rave reviews. The film, which is slated to release on March 1, 2024 will have its Australian premiere on February 29 with the IFFM Summer Festival.

According to reports published earlier today, Kiran Rao said, “It’s a great honour for Laapataa Ladies to be the Opening Film at IIFM. I am absolutely delighted and would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the festival. I hope the Melbourne audience enjoys the film, and that I get to visit this great city in person soon!”

In this comedy film, two newly-wed brides accidentally get separated from their respective families and in-laws on a train journey. While the families run pillar to post in their search, one bride discovers a world that had been hitherto unbeknownst to her, while the other shakes up patriarchy.

Caroline Pitcher, VicScreen CEO, reportedly said, “IFFM is the largest celebration of Indian cinema in the southern hemisphere, lighting up Melbourne every year with incredible films and unforgettable star power. VicScreen is proud to support the expansion of the festival, with the return of a three-day summer program, which includes the highly anticipated Australian premiere of Laapataa Ladies.”

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick spoke about the IFFM Summer Festival and said, “This festival’s summer edition this year will have Laapataa Ladies as an opening film, directed by the talented Kiran Rao. We are thrilled to kickstart our latest venture with Kiran’s nuanced film of layered human relationships, celebrating women and the unexpected complexities that life throws at us. This is our continued endeavour to have a widespread year-round celebration of Indian films down under and we are excited to have Kiran’s remarkable film be the opening film of the summer edition of our festival.”