India's first LGBTQ film Badnaam Basti to screen at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will return for its 16th edition from August 14-24. Positioned as the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside the country, it promises insightful masterclasses, poignant films and star-studded red carpet moments.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Music Review: 5 Seconds of Summer's Michael Clifford goes solo on ambitious, pop-punk 'SIDEQUEST'
Over a decade ago, the Australian pop-punk boy band 5 Seconds of Summer emerged as charming genre-revivalists. Their 2014 career-making single 'She Looks So Perfect' was all palm-muted power chords and gang vocals, a familiar sound for fans of the Warped Tour scene. In the years since, the quartet evolved into a full-on arena pop-rock act, taking turns at releasing solo material. Next up is lead guitarist Michael Clifford, the edgiest of the bunch, with a spirited solo debut album that feels truer to the band's earliest material than their most recent. Music Review: 5 Seconds of Summer's Michael Clifford goes solo on ambitious, pop-punk 'SIDEQUEST' But he doesn't just rehash the past. Rather, the colorful-haired musician adds his own twist on 'SIDEQUEST.' Ten energetic, introspective tracks form a tight album that explores self-doubt, fame and romance. The songs are pop-punk in spirit but deviate from the formula with a stadium-sized production: experimental electronics, big synths and versatile vocals. And it is an emotional journey. The lovesick opener 'Kill Me for Always,' featuring Porter Robinson, sets the stage, with its scintillating mix of electronica and bass. The sound of 'Cool,' released as a single, acts as the strongest evidence of Clifford's former boy band roots. It's self-deprecating and self-aware. 'Confidence doesn't come so easily / When you're the guy who caught fire with the colored hair / From the band with the song about underwear,' Clifford sings, referencing the chorus of 'She Looks So Perfect.' In an album stuffed with energetic songs juxtaposed with existential lyrics, the best track arrives at a midpoint high in 'Enough.' 'At 3 a.m. awake again / I can see all of the damage you've done,' Clifford sings through an evocative rasp. 'With friends like you who needs a loaded gun.' 'Remember When' and 'Fashion' maintain the swoony cadence of Clifford's 5 Seconds of Summer work; 'Eclipse' ends the album in a crescendo. 'SIDEQUEST' sets out to prove it's both a culmination of the last decade of Clifford's life and a deviation from it, as he steps into his own sound. Thankfully, for fans, it succeeds. The debut album reflects Clifford's maturation and self-agency, despite the insecurities and doubts that creep in throughout. 'All I've done / Is it ever gonna be enough?' Clifford sings, growing hoarser, in 'Enough.' Then the question changes: 'Am I ever gonna be enough?' On 'SIDEQUEST,' the answer, quite simply, is yes. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
a day ago
- News18
Aamir Khan to hoist tricolour at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Superstar Aamir Khan will hoist the national flag at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in the Australian city in August, the organisers have said. The ceremony will be part of the festival's annual Independence Day celebration, a tradition that honours India's spirit and its 'vibrant global cultural influence". 'The flag hoisting ceremony at IFFM is more than just a formal tradition it's a deeply emotional and unifying experience. Seeing the Tiranga unfurl on foreign soil, surrounded by artists, filmmakers, and members of the Indian and Australian communities, fills our hearts with pride. Having Aamir Khan, whose voice vision and cinema has had a profound impact on generations of film lovers not just in india but globally, lead this moment is truly a rare honour," festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said in a statement. She added that Khan's presence represents 'the strength and integrity of Indian storytelling and the values we stand for at IFFM, equality and unity in diversity". IFFM, backed by the Government of Victoria, is 'the largest Indian film festival" held outside of India. The festival this year will feature a lineup of over 75 films in 31 languages, panel discussions, and events. IFFM will open on August 14 with the Australian premiere of 'Baksho Bondi" (Shadowbox) by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi. Other guests at the film festival include Shoojit Sircar, Tillotma Shome, Jim Sarbh, Malaika Arora, and Vir Das. PTI MAH MAH MAH view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
