URGENT UPDATE: The highly anticipated Bengali-language drama, “Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox,” is set to open the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) on August 14, 2025. This marks the film’s Australian premiere following its world debut at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival.
The intimate character study, co-directed by first-time filmmakers Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, stars acclaimed actress Tillotama Shome as Maya, a woman juggling multiple jobs—including house cleaning and chicken farming—while caring for her husband Sundar (played by Chandan Bisht), who suffers from PTSD, and their teenage son Debu, portrayed by newcomer Sayan Karmakar. When Sundar becomes embroiled in a murder investigation, Maya must confront societal prejudices and her own troubled past.
Shome expressed her emotional connection to the film, stating,
“’Baksho Bondi’ is incredibly close to my heart. Playing Maya was a lesson in listening to silences, in discovering strength in small acts, and in understanding how quiet resilience shapes women’s lives in a world that often overlooks them.”
The festival’s director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, emphasized the film’s significance, calling it “a perfect start for the 2025 edition.” Lange praised Shome’s performance as “extraordinary,” highlighting the film’s themes of resilience and hope.
Running through August 24, the festival is set to showcase a diverse range of films that reflect the dynamism of contemporary Indian storytelling. Other featured films include Rima Das’ award-winning “Village Rockstars 2,” which follows a teenage guitarist balancing family and music, and Fasil Muhammed’s “Feminichi Fathima,” a poignant story of a housewife’s quest for independence.
The IFFM will also host an awards ceremony on August 15, honoring excellence in film and streaming categories. This year’s festival reinforces its status as the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside of India, offering a platform for regional independent cinema.
As excitement builds for the festival’s opening, audiences are eager to see how “Baksho Bondi” resonates with viewers in Australia. Stay tuned for more updates on the festival and its impressive lineup of films.
