Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be the special guest at the 2019 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
King Khan, as he is popularly known, will be attending the IFFM Awards Night on August 8 and will officially open the film festival on August 9th.
The theme of the film festival is ‘courage’ which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
“I’m honoured and delighted to accept the invitation from the Victorian government and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne to open their festival as their chief guest,” Shah Rukh Khan said.
“An industry of our magnitude and diversity deserves to be celebrated with great passion and fervour, which is what the festival embodies.
“I’m particularly pleased with the theme of the festival this year which is courage, an emotion that resonates with storytellers who really have the might to change the society and the world.
“I have had great memories of shooting for Chak De India in Melbourne and look forward to being back again, this time to celebrate Indian cinema,” the star said.
Shah Rukh Khan has appeared in more than 80 Bollywood films and has received numerous accolades, including 14 Filmfare Awards (more than any other actor).
For his contributions to film, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, and the Government of France awarded him both the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Légion d'honneur.
Khan has a significant following in Asia and the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Festival Director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange said, “We are so elated with the news of Mr Khan joining us to be our chief guest. He’s truly an icon of Indian cinema internationally, a person millions follow and look up to.
Mitu Bhowmick, Festival Director, Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Source: Supplied
“The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has always strived to bring the best Indian cinema here in Melbourne and bridge a gap between the fans and the actors whom people love and admire. We are looking forward to hosting Mr Khan in Melbourne.”
Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria said this year’s festival is going to be an ‘exciting’ one.
"The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is a much-loved event that celebrates the strong relationship between Victoria and India and our own vibrant Indian community. This event has grown significantly over the past decade and with the extraordinary Shah Rukh Khan here, this year's festival is shaping up to be the biggest and most exciting yet,” Premier Andrews said.
