Pics: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne begins; Rajkumar Hirani, Vicky Kaushal and others attend

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Tabrez Noorani's film on sex trafficking "Love Sonia" today officially started the 12-day-long Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji, film director Rajkumar Hirani, Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chadha, Noorani, Freida Pinto and Ali Fazal are here to attend the festival.

The festival will screen over 60 films in 22 languages over the next two weeks.

Speaking on the occasion, Australian Minister of Creative Industry, Martin Foley said, "This year's festival is expected to attract more than 35,000 people to events across Melbourne, bringing together diverse communities through a shared love of film." 

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"Alongside the film program, there are plenty of ways to get involved from masterclasses to the perennially popular Bollywood Dance Competition," he added.

Foley said festivals like IFFM were making several contributions to the state of Victoria -socially, culturally and economically.

Rani, who is the chief guest of the festival, thanked the Government of Victoria for supporting the Indian film industry.

"On behalf of the Indian film fraternity, I would like to thank the Victorian government for supporting the Indian industry as it is so diverse with so many languages and styles, she said.

The actor will also be hoisting the Indian flag at the iconic federation square building tomorrow to mark Indian Independence Day celebrations here.

"It's a matter of great pride for our country to showcase our films here and reach out to people." ​Hirani, who is here with writer Abhijat Joshi to showcase his latest movie "Sanju" to the Australian audience, said he would love to shoot in Australia.

(With PTI Inputs)