Vidya Balan has changed the face of an Indian heroine. (HT Photo/Manoj Verma)
To be held from May 3-15, the festival will celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema and will showcase celebrated films of the last century, including the first Indian film, Raja Harishchandra (1913). It will close with the Australian premiere of The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012).
Vidya says, “I couldn't be more excited. I have a long standing equation with Melbourne and I hope that this association promotes the festival to a far-reaching and diverse audience.”