MUMBAI: The highly anticipated Indian film Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, has been selected as the opening film for the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) 2025. Inspired by a true story, the film brings to life the journey of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the small town of Malegaon, Maharashtra. Along with his friends, he transforms his town into a vibrant hub of filmmaking, defying the odds and igniting a passion for cinema.
Running from February 13 to March 2, NIFFA 2025 is a groundbreaking festival celebrating the vast spectrum of Indian cinema beyond Bollywood. This first-of-its-kind, nationally recognized Indian film festival in Australia will feature an impressive lineup of more than 40 films, including three world premieres and 36 Australian premieres, showcasing films in 16 languages. With screenings across seven major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra—NIFFA is set to bring Indian storytelling to the forefront on a grand scale.
Supported by prominent Indian and Australian institutions, NIFFA has garnered backing from the Indian High Commission in Australia, the consulates of Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and Australia's Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). Dendy Cinemas, a key partner, will serve as one of the leading venues for the festival’s screenings and events.
A unique aspect of NIFFA is its all-female nomination council, comprised of influential Australian Indian film professionals, who play a pivotal role in shaping the festival’s vision. Their expertise ensures a diverse and rich cinematic experience for audiences, highlighting the depth and artistry of Indian cinema.
Festival Founder and Director Anupam Sharma expressed his excitement about Superboys of Malegaon leading the festival: “Our mission is to bring Indian cinema to the big screens in a big way, celebrating not just Bollywood but the vast storytelling landscape of India. Having Superboys of Malegaon as our opening film perfectly aligns with this vision. The film is a testament to creativity, resilience, and passion, and it holds special significance for both me and Australia, as it comes from the same team behind Dil Chahta Hai.”
Producer Ritesh Sidhwani echoed this sentiment, highlighting Excel Entertainment’s deep connection with Australia: “Excel Entertainment has had a longstanding relationship with Australia since Dil Chahta Hai. We’re truly honored that Superboys of Malegaon has been embraced so warmly, with multiple red carpet events across the country as part of NIFFA. It’s an incredible moment, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience and connect with this inspiring story.”
Scheduled for a theatrical release on February 28, Superboys of Malegaon is a joint production by Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti, the film is written by acclaimed writer Varun Grover. It boasts a stellar cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Vineet Kumar Singh, Anuj Singh Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Pallav Singh, Manjiri Pupala, Muskkaan Jaferi, and Riddhi Kumar.
With seven red carpet events in seven cities and a showcase of extraordinary Indian films, NIFFA 2025 is set to be an unmissable cinematic celebration, honoring the richness and diversity of Indian storytelling on a global stage.
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