It’s been over a year since RRR stormed into our lives and helped turn an entirely new generation onto Bollywood. Even before its milestone Oscar win, the opening notes of “Naatu Naatu” was a surefire way to bring a smile to practically anyone who heard it. Now more than ever, movie-lovers nationwide are looking to satisfy their appetite with the vibrance of Bollywood. Luckily for us all, the Bollywood Film Festival is here with a program that truly has something for everyone.
Spanning three days and sporting a range of sure-to-be classics, from neo-noir thrillers to mind-bending satire to heartwrenching documentaries, the Bollywood Film Festival, brought to you by HSBC, is your next destination to discover your new favourite flick.
When is the 2023 Bollywood Film Festival?
The 2023 Bollywood Film Festival will be taking place across three days, kicking off on Thursday, November 2, with opening film Kennedy screening from 6:30pm. Films will air every night until Sunday, November 5, closing with Joram at 6pm.
The festival dates align with Diwali, India’s largest and most important holiday of the year. Diwali celebrations this year will commence on November 12.
Where is the 2023 Bollywood Film Festival?
While most film festivals are relegated to just one city or region, one of the best parts of the Bollywood Film Festival is that it takes place all across the country. Participating cinemas will all screen the same movies, giving everyone the chance to broaden their cinematic horizons and experience what Bollywood has to offer.
The participating cinemas are:
- Sydney – Dendy Newtown
- Canberra – Dendy Canberra
- Brisbane – Dendy Coorparoo & Dendy Portside
- Gold Coast – Dendy Southport
- Melbourne – Cinema Nova
- Adelaide – The Piccadilly, Wallis Cinemas
- Perth – Luna Leederville
What’s Playing at the 2023 Bollywood Film Festival?
This year’s Bollywood Film Festival is set to spotlight a wide variety of genres, which will be able to cater to cinemagoers of all interests, and perhaps even encourage you to investigate some of Bollywood’s all-time classics.
Check out some of the highlights from this year’s program below.
Kennedy
A neo-noir crime thriller, Kennedy follows the titular ex-police officer who now is a career assassin, blackmailer, and extortionist. Working for a corrupt police commissioner, Kennedy moonlights as a driver, but one of his jobs tangles him up in a high society web of lies and deception. Kennedy is directed by iconic Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
Dug Dug
Man dies in motorcycle accident. Bike disappears from police station and reappears at the site of the accident. Villagers become convinced that the dead man has become a god. Enough said, right?
Dug Dug shows how contagious faith and religion can be (for better or for worse) in an absurd, bizarre, colourful and enjoyable way.
To Kill a Tiger
To Kill a Tiger is a harrowing documentary that follows one man’s relentless search for justice after a horrendous crime is committed against his teenage daughter by three men. Almost every aspect of the father’s persistent hunt for justice is shown, from his determination to those campaigning for the family to drop the charges.
Where Can I Get Tickets for the Bollywood Film Festival?
Tickets for the 2023 Bollywood Film Festival are available now via the official website.
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