Tillotama Shome’s "Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox" to Open Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Mark your calendars for August 14, as Tillotama Shome’s poignant Bengali-language drama, "Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox," kicks off the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). This event marks the film’s Australian premiere following its world debut in the Perspectives strand at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival.
Co-directed by first-time filmmakers Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, "Baksho Bondi" offers an intimate look at the life of Maya, portrayed by Shome, known for her roles in "Sir" and "Death in the Gunj." Maya juggles multiple jobs—from house cleaning to chicken farming and laundry pressing—while caring for her husband Sundar (Chandan Bisht), who suffers from PTSD, and their teenage son Debu, played by newcomer Sayan Karmakar. When Sundar becomes entangled in a murder investigation, Maya is forced to confront societal prejudices and her own complex past.
"‘Baksho Bondi’ is incredibly close to my heart," shared Shome, who also serves as one of the film’s producers. "Playing Maya taught me the power of silence, the strength found in small acts, and how quiet resilience shapes women’s lives in a world that often overlooks them."
The selection of "Baksho Bondi" as the opening night film highlights IFFM’s dedication to promoting regional independent cinema. Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange praised the film, stating, “It’s a perfect start for the 2025 edition.” She further emphasized Shome’s extraordinary performance as Maya, commending Das and Sahi for creating a tender, honest, and visually captivating film that embodies resilience and hope.
In addition to "Baksho Bondi," the festival’s lineup features a diverse selection of regional films. Rima Das’s "Village Rockstars 2," which won at the Busan Film Festival, follows teenage guitarist Dhunu as she navigates family responsibilities alongside her musical dreams. Fasil Muhammed’s "Feminichi Fathima" focuses on a Ponnani housewife whose quest to replace a mattress symbolizes her independence.
Other notable selections include Aranya Sahay’s "Humans in the Loop," a drama about a divorced Adivasi woman working as an AI data labeller, and Lakshmipriya Devi’s award-winning "Boong," which tells the story of a boy from Manipur searching for his missing father. Onir’s "We Are Faheem & Karun" explores a forbidden romance set in a remote Kashmiri village. Additionally, Tamil-language film "Angammal," directed by Vipin Radhakrishnan, depicts a city-educated man’s struggle with his mother’s traditional attire, while veteran filmmaker Goutam Ghose’s "Parikrama" intertwines the journeys of an Italian documentarian and a displaced Indian village boy along the Narmada River.
Running through August 24, with support from the Victorian Government, IFFM will host its awards ceremony on August 15, celebrating excellence in both film and streaming categories. This festival continues to stand as the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside of India, showcasing the rich diversity and dynamic storytelling of contemporary Indian filmmakers across various languages and platforms.
Join us at IFFM for an unforgettable experience of Indian cinema that reflects the heart and soul of a vibrant culture!
