By Travis Johnson
Acclaimed Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is bound for Melbourne, having been confirmed as a guest at the opening weekend of this year’s Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Still best known for her award-winning turn in the 2002 romantic drama Devdas, Rai Bachchan first came to promincence when she won the Miss World pageant in 1994, going on the become a prolific and popular figure in Indian cinema. She will raise the Indian national flag at 11am on Saturday August 12, at Federation Square, in a ceremonial acknowledgement of Indian Independence Day (August 15) – a part of the festival’s “India at 70” celebrations.
“How wonderful and fitting it is that the 70th Anniversary celebrations are ushered in by one of India’s most global faces, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, ” said FFM Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick-Lange. “IFFM is proud to welcome one of India’s most loved and iconic actors to the festival and look forward to celebrating Indian Cinema in Australia.”
Rai Bachchan will be also be a special guest at the Westpac Indian Film Festival Awards Night on Friday, August 11, at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs for August 10 – 22. For more information, head to the official site.
