Latest news with #BadnaamBasti
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Restored classic Badnaam Basti to headline Indian Film Festival of Melbourne's Pride Night
India's first LGBTQ-themed film Badnaam Basti , originally released in 1971, is set to make a powerful return to the big screen at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025. The restored version of the film will headline the festival's much-anticipated Pride Celebratory Night on August 22nd. A still from Badnaam Basti Now in its 16th year, IFFM has grown into the largest Indian film festival held outside India and remains the only one officially supported by a foreign government, the Government of Victoria in Australia. Year after year, the festival continues to push the envelope on inclusivity and representation in cinema. This year's lineup features around 75 films exploring themes of gender, sexuality, race, disability, and women's empowerment. Among the highlights is the Pride Night , a dedicated celebration of queer cinema and South Asian LGBTQIA+ identity in Australia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Social Security Recipients Under $2,384/Mo Now Entitled To 15 "Kickbacks" Top 10 Benefits Learn More Undo Still from Badnaam Basti Leading the night is Badnaam Basti, a pioneering film way ahead of its time, which will be screened in its restored form. The screening will be followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun , a poignant love story by acclaimed filmmaker Onir. Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange spoke about the importance of showcasing diverse stories: 'Cinema is a reflection of society and has the power to spark dialogue. With Pride Night, we're not just celebrating queer identity, we're reclaiming space for stories that were long overlooked. Badnaam Basti paved the way, and films like We Are Faheem and Karun carry the baton forward.' A still from We Are Faheem and Karun With a strong focus on community, representation, and global storytelling, IFFM 2025 is once again set to spotlight voices that truly deserve to be seen and heard.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Indias first ever LGBTQ film's restored version to lead Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), now in its 16th year, continues to set a global benchmark for cultural celebration and cinematic inclusivity. As the largest Indian film festival held outside of India, and the only one officially backed by the Government of another country, the Government of Victoria, Australia, it proudly stands as a beacon for representation, diversity, and community engagement. This year, the film festival will screen nearly 75 films that reflect themes of inclusivity spanning gender, race, sexuality, disability, and women's representation. One of the most anticipated highlights of the festival is the LGBTQ+ Pride Night scheduled for August 22, which promises to be a powerful tribute to queer cinema and Queer South Asian identity in Australia The Pride Night will feature the screening of the restored version of Badnaam Basti India's first-ever LGBTQ film originally released in 1971. The film's legacy will be honoured by this rare showcase, followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun , a tender queer love story directed by acclaimed filmmaker Onir. Speaking about the festival's commitment to representation, director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said "At IFFM, we believe cinema has the power to connect and create conversations. It is our responsibility to reflect on the world we live in, with all its beautiful diversity. This Pride Night is not just about celebrating queer identity but also reclaiming the space that has long been denied to LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema. Through films like Badnaam Basti and We Are Faheem and Karun, we honour the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling." IFFM 2024 continues to break ground by celebrating cinema that reflects the kaleidoscope of human experiences, ensuring that voices from every corner of society are seen, heard, and celebrated on the global stage.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Restored classic Badnaam Basti to lead Pride Night at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 is set to spotlight LGBTQ+ narratives with a landmark Pride Celebratory Night on August, featuring the restored version of Badnaam Basti —India's first-ever LGBTQ-themed film, originally released in 1971. Now in its 16th year, IFFM has cemented its place as the largest Indian film festival held outside India, recognised for championing diversity, inclusion, and cultural dialogue. Backed by the Government of Victoria, Australia, this year's edition will screen close to 75 films, focusing on themes including gender, sexuality, disability, race, and women's representation. The Pride Night promises to be a poignant tribute to queer cinema and South Asian LGBTQ+ identity in Australia. The rare screening of Badnaam Basti —a film long lost in cinematic history—will honour its pioneering legacy, followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun , a tender queer love story directed by acclaimed filmmaker Onir . Speaking about the initiative, IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said, 'At IFFM, we believe cinema has the power to connect and create conversations. This Pride Night is not just about celebrating queer identity but also reclaiming space for LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema. Through films like Badnaam Basti and We Are Faheem and Karun , we honour the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling.' With its continued focus on representation, IFFM 2025 affirms its commitment to showcasing the full spectrum of human experience on an international platform.
India.com
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Indias First LGBTQIA+ Film Badnaam Basti To Screen At Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne 2025
Mumbai: India's first-ever LGBTQ film, 'Badnaam Basti' will open at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The organisers confirmed the news on Tuesday, stating that the screening will take place during the IFFM Pride Celebratory Night on August 22. The event aims to offer a "powerful tribute" to queer cinema and queer South Asian identity in Australia. Originally released in 1971, Prem Kapoor's 'Badnaam Basti' is dubbed as India's first queer-themed film, also a "lardmark" in LGBTQIA+ cinema. It focuses on the story of a bus driver and a cleaner, subtly redefining queer representation at the time. The festival organisers also confirmed the screening of filmmaker Onir's 'We Are Faheem & Karun"--another "tender queer love story. Navigating through a moving portrait of identity, friendship, and love, the film speaks to today's youth and breaks barriers with heart and honesty, the organisers added. Speaking about the same, IFFM director Mitu Bhowmick said, "At IFFM, we believe cinema has the power to connect and create conversations. It is our responsibility to reflect on the world we live in, with all its beautiful diversity." Reflecting on the Pride Night, she emphasised that it will not just celebrate queer identity but also reclaim the space that had been long denied to LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema. Bhowmick said that films like 'Badnaam Basti' and 'We Are Faheem & Karun' will honour the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling, as per the press release. The IFFM 2025 marks 16 years of the largest Indian film festival held outside the country. Officially backed by the Government of Victoria, Australia, the festival will screen nearly 75 films, spanning across themes of gender, race, sexuality, disability, and women's representation.
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
India's first LGBTQ film Badnaam Basti to screen at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will feature the restored version of India's first LGBTQ film Badnaam Basti for its special Pride Celebratory Night in August. (Also read: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards 2025: Superboys of Malegaon, Pataal Lok S2 lead the nominations; see full list) Badnaam Basti starred Nitin Sethi and Amar Kakkad. About the film The film was released in 1971 and was directed by Prem Kapoor. The Nitin Sethi, Amar Kakkad, and Nandita Thakur-starrer follows a driver bandit named Sarnam who rescues Bansuri from assault. He later hires temple worker Shivraj, creating an interconnected relationship between the three. The film was believed to be lost after its brief appearance in festival circuits but a 35mm print was accidently discovered in the archives at the Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Art in Berlin by two US curators: Simran Bhalla and Michael Metzger -- in 2019. They were searching for work by a different director with the same surname and chanced upon the prints of "Badnaam Basti", according to an article in The Guardian in December 2024. The film's legacy The legacy of the film, which was quite forward for its times for its homo-erotic undertones, will be honoured by this rare showcase, followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun, a tender queer love story by acclaimed filmmaker Onir, according to a release here. This year, IFFM will screen nearly 75 films that reflect themes of inclusivity spanning gender, race, sexuality, disability, and women's representation. Speaking about the festival's commitment to representation, IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said, "At IFFM, we believe cinema has the power to connect and create conversations. It is our responsibility to reflect on the world we live in, with all its beautiful diversity. This Pride Night is not just about celebrating queer identity but also reclaiming the space that has long been denied to LGBTQIA narratives in Indian cinema. Through films like Badnaam Basti and We Are Faheem and Karun, we honour the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling." The 16th edition of the festival is scheduled to be held from August 14 to 24. The LGBTQ Pride Night is scheduled for August 22.
