unINDIAN Media Kit as at...

presents

MEDIA KIT AS AT 25.04.15

Publicity Catherine Lavelle T 02 9405 2880 M 0413 885 595 E [email protected]

unindianfilm.com www.facebook.com/unindianthefilm

@unindianfilm

© unINDIAN HOLDINGS PTY LTD

A cross-cultural comedy,

unINDIAN is the first production of the newly established Australia India Film Fund and is proudly an Australian film.

… or as Tim Gilbert from The Today Show put it:

“A lamb chop with a little bit of a tandoori dressing!"

AUSTRALIA INDIA FILM FUND PRESENTS ‘unINDIAN’ A FILMS & CASTING TEMPLE PRODUCTION STARRING TANNISHTHA CHATTERJEE AND BRETT LEE

WITH SUPRIYA PATHAK KAPUR, AKASH KHURANA, GULSHAN GROVER, JOHN HOWARD, ARKA DAS, SARAH ROBERTS, NICHOLAS BROWN, ADAM DUNN, TIRIEL MORA, KUMUD MERANI

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY PALLAVI SHARDA AND INTRODUCING MAYA SATHI CASTING GREG APPS AND SEHER LATIF (INDIA) COSTUME DESIGNER SHEREEN KHAN PRODUCTION DESIGNER TYLAH PRATT

HAIR & MAKE UP DESIGN BEC TAYLOR AND ZELJKA STANIN SOUND MARK CORNISH EDITOR MARCUS D’ARCY DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY MARTIN McGRATH ACS

MUSIC SALIM SULAIMAN (SALIM MERCHANT & SULAIMAN MERCHANT) COMPOSER (AUSTRALIA) AMANDA BROWN PRODUCER ANUPAM SHARMA PRODUCED BY LISA DUFF STORY & SCREENPLAY THUSHY SATHI

DIRECTED BY ANUPAM SHARMA EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS DEVENDRA GUPTA AND CHANDRU TOLANI COMPLETION BOND: FILM FINANCES AUSTRALASIA

AUSTRALIAN THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTOR: FRIENDS INDIA ENTERTAAINMENT


ABOUT THE PRODUCTION With an all-‐star cast and crew, unINDIAN – the first feature of the recently established Australia India Film Fund (AIFF), was filmed in Sydney and around NSW. Starring the internationally acclaimed actress Tannishtha Chatterjee (Bhopal: A Prayer of Rain, Siddharth, Brick Lane) and Brett Lee in his first lead role, unINDIAN also features Supriya Pathak Kapur (Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-‐Leela, Wake Up Sid, Gandhi), Akash Khurana (Barfi, Sarfarosh), Indian theatre and film icon Gulshan Grover (I am Kalam, Desperate Endeavours), John Howard (Mad Max: Fury Road, Evil Angels), Arka Das (The Code), Bollywood Star finalists Sarah Roberts (Felony, Neighbours), Nicholas Brown (Kites, Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away, Mr and Mrs Murder),Adam Dunn (Careless Love, Packed to the Rafters), Tiriel Mora (King Kong, Happy Feet, The Castle), Kumud Merani, Australian Bollywood star Pallavi Sharda (Save Your Legs, Besharam) and introducing Maya Sathi. Presented by Devendra Gupta, the comedy was directed by Anupam Sharma, written by Thushy Sathi, produced by Anupam Sharma and Lisa Duff (Last Cab To Darwin), executive produced by Devendra Gupta and Chandru Tolani, filmed by Martin McGrath ACS (Muriel’s Wedding, Killing Time), edited by Academy Award® nominee Marcus D’Arcy (Lorenzo’s Oil, Babe) with music by Salim Sulaiman and composer (Australia) Amanda Brown, with support from the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency – Destination NSW, UNSW Australia (the University of New South Wales) and Cochlear Ltd. Film Finances Australasia is providing the completion guarantee/bond.

Beautiful divorcee and single mother of one, Meera (Tannishtha Chatterjee) is an Australian of Indian origin. Smart and independent, she has carved out a successful life for herself and her daughter … despite family pressure to find 'a nice Indian match'. Then Meera meets Will (Brett Lee)… tall and blonde with a charming smile. But falling in love with an Australian man is not only scandalous -‐ it's unindian! Does she do as her family wishes? … Or does she follow her heart and live her life the way she wants? Highlighting the complexities of wooing another from a different culture, unINDIAN is a comedy with a lot of heart and a little spice! Founder and CEO of the Australia India Film Fund, Devendra Gupta said: “AIFF was formed with the vision of creating high quality cross cultural productions. unINDIAN is a very special film bringing Australian and Indian cultures together. We are proud to have produced our first film in our home city and to be supporting the local film industry.”


SYNOPSIS

Beautiful divorcee and single mother of one, Meera (Tannishtha Chatterjee) is an Australian of Indian origin. Smart and independent, she has carved out a successful life for herself and her daughter … despite family pressure to find 'a nice Indian match'.

Then Meera meets Will (Brett Lee)… tall and blonde with a charming smile. But falling in love with an Australian man is not only scandalous -‐ it's unindian! Does she do as her family wishes? … Or does she follow her heart and live her life the way she wants?

Highlighting the complexities of wooing another from a different culture, unINDIAN is a comedy with a lot of heart and a little spice!


KEY CAST

Meera Tannishtha Chatterjee Will Brett Lee Savita (Meera’s Mum) Supriya Pathak Kapur Ashok (Meera’s Dad) Akash Khurana John Saunders John Howard TK Arka Das Priya Sarah Roberts

Samir Nicholas Brown Mich Adam Dunn Rick Tiriel Mora Binky Aunty Kumud Merani Deepak Gulshan Grover

Vik Kashif Amjad Dipti Sharon Johal

Special appearance by Shanthi Pallavi Sharda

Introducing Smitha Maya Sathi


KEY CREW

Presented by Devendra Gupta

Director Anupam Sharma

Producers Anupam Sharma Lisa Duff

Executive Producers Devendra Gupta

Chandru Tolani

Writer Thushy Sathi

Director of Photography Martin McGrath ACS

Production Designer Tylah Pratt

Costume Designer Shereen Khan

Hair & Make Up Designers Bec Taylor Zeljka Stanin Sound Mark Cornish

Editor Marcus D’Arcy Music Salim Sulaiman Salim Merchant & Sulaiman Merchant

Composer (Australia) Amanda Brown

Casting Greg Apps Seher Latif (India)


ABOUT AUSTRALIA INDIA FILM FUND

The Australia India Film Fund (AIFF) was founded in 2013 by Devendra Gupta to tell India-‐centric Australian stories through film and TV, designed for a global audience. It has an exclusive tie-‐up with one of Australia’s most reputed and award-‐winning film

production companies, TEMPLE, which specialises in Indian films and casting. Based out of Fox Studios, TEMPLE is headed by Australia’s high profile Indian cinema expert, Anupam Sharma. Anupam will be heading the film & TV arm of the project.

AIFF is a commercially savvy initiative that will ensure maximum returns for investors with minimal risk. AIFF will follow Anupam’s philosophy of “Western Body – Indian Soul”. All projects will adopt western principles and business structures, including transparent accounting, efficient management, and western distribution norms in order to maintain the spirit of fair trade and accountability. At the same time, the films will be a testament to the Indian soul, creating stories of emotion, colours and music, bringing with it the mystical Indian touch that no one can define. AIFF emulates nothing but the highest professional ethics and standards. unINDIAN is the first of what AIFF hopes to be a long line of engaging films that will enthral audiences around the world.


Meera

With an eye on her career, beautiful divorcee and mother of one, for Meera love is the last thing on her mind -‐ despite the best efforts

of her interfering family. Tannishtha Chatterjee is Meera

Multi award-‐winning actress Tannishtha Chatterjee gained international attention for her performance in Sarah Gavron’s celebrated feature Brick Lane, which saw her nominated as Best Actress at the British Independent Film Awards alongside Judi Dench and Anne Hathaway.

With a stellar career in film, her credits include Academy award-‐winning German director Florian Gallenberger’s Shadows of Time, Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina and Bombay Summer for which she received the Best Actress award at the New York Indian Film Festival.

Her critically acclaimed performance in Dekh Indian Circus saw her receive Best Actress awards in a number of film festivals including India's National Film Award. She also appeared in Monsoon Shootout, which premiered at a midnight screening in Official Selection at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Tannishtha also starred in the recently released Siddharth, which was in Official Selection at both the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, amongst others.

Most recently, Tannishtha appeared in the film Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain alongside Martin Sheen, Mischa Barton, Kal Penn and Rapjal Yadav. She is currently shooting the feature Lion! starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel.


Will

Loveable, reliable and happy to help, Will has been unlucky in love … that is until Meera catches his eye.

Brett Lee is Will

Renowned as one of the most dynamic fast bowlers of recent cricket history, Brett Lee made his debut for Australia in the Boxing Day Test against India in 1999. He finished his first match for his country with figures of 5/47. He picked up 310 wickets from 76 Tests, joining the elite 300 Test Wicket Club before retiring from Test cricket early in 2010 to concentrate on the shorter forms of the game. Brett’s career highlights include the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year 2000, Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2006, Australian Test Player of the Year 2008 and the prestigious Allan Border Medal 2008 for the Australian Cricketer of the Year.

Cricket has taken Brett to India where he enjoyed six seasons of IPL cricket, three seasons with Punjab Kings XI, based in Chandigarh, and three seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Brett is an ambassador for the Cricket Education Program, which focuses on high quality coaching sessions developed by Cricket Australia and the Cricket India Academy for children 9-‐14 years and plays an active role when he can.

His long association with India saw him make his feature film debut as Brett Lee, Cricketer in the Bollywood film Victory. Brett also co-‐wrote the lyrics and appeared in the music video for Asha Bhosle’s single You’re the One. The single went to the top of the Indian music charts.

In May 2011, Brett launched Mewsic, opening the first of many planned music centres in Govandi, Mumbai, ensuring that disadvantaged children in India have the opportunity to experience the joy and power of music. In his downtime, Brett plays occasionally with his band White Shoe Theory and has written a number of songs with his music partner Mick Vawdon.


Smitha

Cheeky, bright and spirited, Smitha is a ray of sunshine wherever she goes. Maya Sathi is Smitha

unINDIAN is the feature film debut of 11-‐year-‐old Maya Sathi.


Savita

Meera’s well meaning meddlesome mother … and wife to Ashok. Supriya Pathak Kapur is Savita (Meera’s Mum)

Multi award-‐winning Supriya Pathak Kapur is one of India’s most highly regarded actresses.

Her extraordinary list of credits includes the Academy Award® winning film Gandhi, Wake Up Sid, The Bangali Night, Raakh, Sarkar, Mausam, Bazaar and Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-‐Leela.

Winning the first of three Filmfare Award’s for Best Supporting Actress for her debut role in Kalyug, Supriya also won an Apsara Award and a Surfer’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-‐Leela

Beginning her career in theatre, Supriya has also starred in numerous television series including Sony TV’s Chhanchhan, Idhar Idhar, Zindagi and the comedy series Khichdi, where Supriya was twice awarded the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role.

Most recently, Supriya featured in the comedy-‐drama Bobby Jasoos and the Indian-‐International thriller Tigers, which was screened at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival in the Contemporary World Cinema section.


Ashok

Meera’s doting dad … and long suffering husband to Savita. Akash Khurana is Ashok (Meera’s Dad)

One of India’s leading actors, screenwriters and directors, Akash Khurana made his first screen appearance in Shyam Benegal's Kalyug before going on to play character roles in over 50 films. His outstanding list of credits includes Saaransh, Naam, Sarfarosh, Beta, Company and Barfi. He won the Nandi Award of Andhra Pradesh for playing the lead in the Telugu film Dr. Ambedkar.

Swayam, directed by Mahesh Bhatt, marked his debut as a screenwriter. He has since written over 20 film scripts, including Aashiqui and Baazigar, for which he recieved the Filmfare Award. In television, he has written for directors including Sridhar Kshirsagar and Ramesh Sippy.

He is currently directing Swara, a feature film about a mysterious spiritual journey down the river Ganges.

In the theatre, he has worked extensively with Satyadev Dubey and Naseeruddin Shah. His work includes directing and acting in plays by Moliere, Pinter, Mamet, Mrozek, Kundera, Tendulkar, Wouk, Shakespeare, Shaw, and Beckett. He is a core member of Arpana, Motley and Akvarious Productions – three of India’s foremost theatre companies.


TK

An Indian Australian Jamie Oliver wannabe with two things occupying his time – his brand new online cooking show and teaching Will the ‘ins and outs’ of ‘Indianism'. Arka Das is TK

Arka started acting professionally in 2003 when he entered the regional Youth Shakespeare Festival and in the following year, in 2004, won first place in the duologue category.

Whilst at university he appeared in various plays, culminating in References to Salvador Dali, Make Me Hot! for Griffin Independent at the SBW Stables Theatre in Sydney.

He made his debut with the Ensemble Theatre in 2010 in Animals Out of Paper, for which he was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2010 Sydney Theatre Awards. He also returned to the Ensemble a year later for Casanova, then appeared in Beached at the Griffin Theatre in 2013 alongside a star-‐studded cast.

Arka recently starred as Farid in the critically acclaimed ABC 1 mini series The Code and as Nathan in the independent feature film Good Morning.

As well as acting, Arka has also started writing and directing content. Most notably, he co-‐created, directed and starred in comedy web series The Casuals, which has already been acquired for online distribution in the USA.


Priya

A recent graduate striving to take her first career step. Sarah Roberts is Priya

In Sarah’s young career she has already proven her versatility as a performer; with acting, singing, dancing, presenting and even DJ-‐ing under her belt.

She has worked in film, television and theatre, both in Australia and overseas, with recent credits including Felony opposite Joel Edgerton, Tom Wilkinson, Jai Courtney and Melissa George, appearances on Wolf Creek 2, Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS, Neighbours, Jack Irish opposite Guy Pearce, Chris Lilley’s Angry Boys and Peter Helliar’s It’s A Date.

Sarah also works as a television presenter for Channel 9 and 10, has played Princess Jasmine on Japanese NHK Television and was recently labelled "... a standout ... another actor surely destined for a huge future ..." for her roles in Alan Ball's All That I Will Ever Be.

And as if that's not enough, Sarah performs in a DJ duo called VAMP, which plays at venues and festivals around the world. Along with her co-‐performer, she has just finished penning original songs with the American Grammy Award-‐winning rapper Eve, and their EP -‐ Dancing In The Sky is now available on iTunes.

She has just returned from rocking the clubs in Shanghai and promoting Felony in LA. In November 2014, she also supported Danish pop group Aqua on their Australian tour.


Samir

A charismatic doctor, Indian and single. All women love him … or so he thinks.

Nicholas Brown is Samir

Since graduating from NIDA in 2000, Nick’s feature film credits include lead roles in the Bollywood films Awake, written and directed by Atul Mongia, Ice Cube Films’ Love You To Death and Kites opposite Hrithik Roshan. In Australia, Nick has appeared in the films Random 8, directed and written by Katherine Millard, A Man’s Gotta Do, Temptation and The Characters.

On TV, he has appeared in Packed To The Rafters, Mr and Mrs Murder, The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting, Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away, Lucky Dragon, City Homicide, Home and Away, The Cooks, White Collar Blue and Heartbreak High.

Nick has recently worked on the Seven Network pilot Dr Feelgood and will play Jesus in Alyque Padamsee’s Jesus Christ Superstar in Mumbai.

His theatre credits include Dead Man Brake (Merrigong Theatre), The Laramie Project (Sydney Theatre Company Education), A Counting And Cracking Of Heads (CarriageWorks), Seven Jewish Children (Project 88 Art Gallery, Mumbai), Doctrine: How to Survive Under Siege (Kunsten Festival des Arts, Brussels), Miss Bollywood – The Shilpa Shetty Musical (Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, and

Netherlands and German tour), The Oresteia, Romeo and Juliet (representing the NIDA company at the 9th International Drama Schools Festival in Transylvania, Romania), Fewer Emergencies (Any Road Productions/ Tamarama Rock Surfers), Spew (Darlinghurst Theatre) and Frozen (B Sharp). As a singer, Nick was understudy on the 2005-‐2006 Hi-‐5 world tour. He released an album called Big Score in 2005 with his disco funk band The Modernists, played to sell out crowds at The Basement and The Metro, and received radio airplay on Triple J and FBI. Nick has also co-‐written for and recorded vocals with Listen Like Thieves, Louiz Banks and Bombay Dub Orchestra. He will release his single I Spent My Rent On A Record in early 2015 with his band Luck Now.

Nick is also a screenwriter and has written the upcoming Aussie Bollywood film Lighten Up, the fantasy film The Brownies and the art house film Tantra 2. His play version of Lighten Up is in development with Sydney Theatre Company and will be part of its Rough Drafts season in 2015.


Mich

Fiercely loyal and slightly naïve. Mich has three loves in his life – cricket, women and food.

Adam Dunn is Mich

Having studied at the prominent Stella Adler Studio in New York, Adam has appeared on screen in John Duigan’s feature film Careless Love, as well as in Packed to the Rafters, Wildboys, Town Centre and Old School.

Having appeared in numerous television commercials including Vanish Napisan and Carlton Draught, both of which were recognised at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Adam is currently featured in the ongoing AAMI and the McCain Healthy Choice television advertisement campaigns.

As well as an actor, Adam is a writer and most recently co-‐wrote and appeared in the television comedy pilot Clean & Jerk. His short film, Ca$h Cow: A 63% True Story, went on to be a finalist at Tropfest.

Adam also co-‐wrote and starred in the short film Status Update: A Facebook Fairytale, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival in New York.


Binky Aunty

Self appointed dating database of Indians in Australia. Kumud Merani is Binky Aunty

Kumud Merani is best known to the Indo-‐Australian community for her theatrical productions. Having produced, written and acted in several successful theatre plays like Lafda, which she translated and adapted from a Marathi play and played the lead role in. Another much acclaimed production of hers has been Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya for which her acting has been highly acclaimed. Toba Tek Singh was another of her productions and The Nautch Girls was a musical documentary researched and written by Kumud on the life of Indian courtesans. Her acting as an ageing courtesan stole the thunder.

Kumud Merani is the doyen of Indian media in Australia. She was one of the pioneer newsreaders of Indian television and the first Asian lady to become a news presenter for the World News on SBS TV, but has found her niche as the national executive producer of Hindi Programs on SBS Radio.

Kumud has the honour of being a multi-‐awarded journalist and contributor to Indian art and culture in Australia. She has won international media awards for her radio documentaries Sweet Sorrow and Jumping The Fence, and has been awarded by two Premiers of NSW for her contribution to art and culture, and radio reporting. Most recently Kumud was awarded Journalist of the Year by the NSW parliament.


Deepak

A blast from the past and a fly in the ointment. Gulshan Grover is Deepak

Gulshan Grover, one of India’s leading and popular Bollywood actors, has acted in hundreds of Films. Many of his films have been big money grossers, and also have won him awards and recognition for his performances.

Gulshan Grover has won many awards for acting, including Best Actor at the New York City International Film Festival and at the Houston Film Festival for his performance as an Indian Hollyman -‐ Dada Bhagwan in the film Desperate Endeavors. For the film I am Kalam he won the Best Actor – Stardust Award and a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the National Awards of India. He has also been awarded by the BBC for his contribution to Indian Cinema.

Gulshan is in fact the Bollywood actor who pioneered the transition from Bollywood to Hollywood and international cinema. The New York City Film Festival honored Gulshan in May 2014 for not just being the first Bollywood actor to have made a transition into international cinema, but also for opening the doors for others.

He has acted in many Hollywood and international films including Columbia Tri-‐star's Rudyard Kipling's The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo in which he played the role of the main villain

Baldev, the French-‐German Film Les Mystères de Sadjurah in which he played the co-‐lead with Ralf Bauer and Sophie Broustal, Beeper in which he played the co-‐lead with Harvey Keitel, Italian film Branchie and German British film Prisoners of The Sun, to name a few.


Shanthi

Meera’s best friend. Pallavi Sharda is Shanthi

Australia’s Bollywood star, Pallavi Sharda, is a classical Indian (Bharatha Natyam) dancer and film actress. An honours graduate from the University of Melbourne, Pallavi completed her LLB/BA (Media & Communications) and Diploma in Modern Languages (French) before moving to Mumbai to fulfill her childhood dream of working in Hindi Cinema.

With a diverse repertoire of films and theatre performances behind her, including the female lead role in Australian cricketing comedy Save Your Legs, Pallavi became a household name in India with her starring role in Besharam. Her next Bollywood venture Hawaaizaada, in which she stars with Ayushmann Khurrana, is due to release in January 2015.

Pallavi is a cultural ambassador for India-‐Australia relations and features prominently on panels focused on intercultural relations. She has been a panelist on ABC’s Q & A program and an ambassador for ‘Oz Fest’ in India. During her current visit to Australia, Pallavi will deliver an address on ‘traversing barriers and fulfilling dreams’ at the inaugural BOLDTalks Woman Forum in Melbourne.

Pallavi returns to Australia this year to play the female lead in the screen adaptation of Helen Garner’s bestseller – Joe Cinque’s Consolation, to be directed by Sotiris Dounoukos.


John Saunders

Head of English … and Will and Mich's Boss. John Howard is John Saunders

John Howard is one of the most in-‐demand actors in Australia for television, film and theatre. John has acted in the feature film The Man Who Sued God with Billy Connolly and Judy Davis, the successful television series Packed to the Rafters and the TV mini-‐series Changi.

John was awarded his first Silver TV Week Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor for his role in the hit Australian drama series Sea Change in 2001. He then won the same award for his role in All Saints from 2006 – 2008.

Most recently John played a lead role in the feature film Mad Max: Fury Road opposite Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, which was filmed in Namibia.

Among his numerous additional credits are the films Last Cab to Darwin, Dating the Enemy, Blackrock, Jindabyne, Young Einstein and Evil Angels. He's also appeared in the television series Stingers, Water Rats, State Coroner, Heartbreak High, Joh's Jury, A Town Like Alice and Water Under the Bridge.

John received the Variety Club of Australia Stage Actor Heart Award in 1992 and the Sydney Critics Circle Best Stage Actor Award in 1991.


Rick

A local news legend always looking for the next big story.

Tiriel Mora is Rick

Tiriel has built a strong television career, gracing our screens on many different hit shows including Maximum Choppage, Janet King, Rake, All Saints, Underbelly 1, City Homicide, The Secret Life of Us, The Surgeon, The Cooks, Seachange, Dogwoman, F.A.R.S.C.A.P.E., Search for Treasure Island and Grass Roots. He has also appeared in the tele-‐movies Heroes’ Mountain, Hell Has Harbour Views, Underbelly, A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne and Redfern Now. He is best remembered for his role as Martin De Stasio in the Working Dog series Frontline.

His film roles have been diverse from Dennis Denuto, the incompetent lawyer representing the Kerrigan’s in The Castle, the voice of Elephant Seal in Happy Feet and

even an unhappy husband in Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles. His other film credits include The Wolverine, Dead End, King Kong, The Parlour, Garage Days, Queen of the Damned, The Elixir and The Inheritance.

Tiriel’s theatre performances include Zero Tolerance, The Westlands, In Our Name directed by Nigel Jamieson for Company B, Black Milk (Play Reading) in the role of Mishunya directed by Chris Mead and in the role of Scott for Sydney Theatre Company’s Hanging Men. In Melbourne, he has worked for the Melbourne Theatre Company where he played Frederick in The Rover and Darcy in Scenes from a Separation.

Tiriel studied Arts at the University of New England, and is an accomplished commercial and documentary voice artist.


Anupam Sharma Director & Producer

Australia’s leading Indian cinema authority and practitioner, Anupam Sharma is a filmmaker, speaker and author. With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Films and Theatre, Anupam wrote a thesis on Indian cinema from UNSW, as well as authored a number of research papers and parts of books.

In 2013, Anupam was appointed head of the recently established Australia India Film Fund and was nominated as one of the 50 most influential professionals in the Australian Film Industry. As managing director of films and casting for TEMPLE,

an award-‐winning production and consultancy firm based out of Fox Studios, Sydney, Anupam has led a team of film professionals working on more than 214 projects between India and Australia, which include feature films, television serials, music videos, television commercials, as well as film festivals. Most recently Anupam completed directing the highly successful series of television commercials Jhappi Time for Destination NSW. With a roll out throughout 2014, the commercials comprise one of the largest investments the state has made in India.

In 2011, Anupam teamed up with film veteran Peter Castaldi and launched the Australian Film Initiative to market and promote Australian screen culture in non-‐traditional markets, resulting in India’s first annual Australian Film Festival with support from Hugh Jackman in 2011, a Baz Luhrmann retrospective in 2012-‐2013, and a Phillip Noyce retrospective in 2014-‐2015. With development investment from Screen Australia and Screen NSW, Anupam is currently developing a slate of high profile Indian Australian film projects with major Australian film makers including Bill Bennett and John Winter. His other credits include directing the commissioned short documentary Indian Aussies – Terms & Conditions Apply, the music video Made In Australia, as well as a number of major Bollywood films shot in Australia.

Anupam has advised many government and private bodies in relation to Indian films, including Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge, Channel Seven, the Department of Foreign Affairs (Australia) and World Movies, among others. In 2012, he was the chief judge and advisor to the first India centric Australian reality television show on SBS -‐ Bollywood Star.

With a high social media following, Anupam is a respected commentator and frequent speaker at various conferences and on television programs including on the ABC, the NINE Network and SBS TV, and at SPAA, Art Gallery of NSW and the Powerhouse Museum. Anupam Sharma was honoured to be an Australia Day Ambassador in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and was one of the thirteen young professionals shortlisted in the prestigious ‘Face To Watch’ series by The (Sydney) Magazine.


Devendra Gupta Presenter & Executive Producer Presenter & Executive Producer

Founder and CEO of the first ever Australian initiative of its kind in the world – the Australia India Film Fund, and one of the most successful Indian migrant stories in Australia, Devendra Gupta is an IT Engineer, Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist based in Sydney.

Born in India and a graduate of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Dev moved to Australia in 1992. As an Australian, he has had phenomenal success in his Australian IT business (Paradigm.One) with offices around the world, including Sydney.

Paradigm.One has developed and operates a number of industry-‐wide IT systems that are used by all telecom companies in Australia. Its clients include Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, AAPT and Ericsson, amongst a number of other Australian and international Telcos.

Devendra is also heavily involved in charity work between India and Australia as director of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of Australia. This charity runs about 54,000 one-‐teacher schools in rural and tribal parts of India, and educates about 1.5 million children. From Australia it sponsors more than 800 schools educating more than 25,000 children.

Devendra announced the Australia India Film Fund with Anupam Sharma, which is now funding millions of dollars worth of Australian films for global audiences.

Thushy Sathi Writer

A qualified CPA, Thushy Sathi has held numerous senior management positions with companies like Compaq, NICTA and HP. He is currently the CEO of Access Macquarie – a Macquarie University company.

Thushy began writing in 2006 and over the past eight years, Thushy has also written and directed two short films SMS – Short Man Syndrome and Undo. He has also written two feature length screenplays LOVE by Shakespeare and more recently unINDIAN.

Thushy is a passionate writer who enjoys creating engaging stories and characters.


Lisa Duff Producer

With numerous award-‐winning credits to her name, Lisa Duff’s career spans over 15 years. Producer of the critically acclaimed documentary Sexing the Label for SBS, which received awards at both the Film De Femme in France and the Columbus Film Festival in Chicago, Lisa produced the Indigenous drama Road also for SBS, which was recognised by the Australian Cinematography Awards, Flickerfest Sydney and the St Kilda Film Festival in Melbourne. In 2009, Lisa produced Leah Purcell’s half hour drama Aunty Maggie & The Womba Wakgun for the ABC’s series The New Black.

Her feature film credits include producer of the Last Train to Freo with Greg Duffy and Sue Taylor. Directed by Jeremy Sims, the feature received three AFI Award nominations including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Lead Actor for Steve Le Marquand and Best Supporting Actor for Tom Budge. Lisa was also the consultant producer and post-‐production producer of Anna Broinowski’s AFI Award-‐winning documentary feature Forbidden Lies.

Most recently, Lisa produced, with Greg Duffy, the anticipated new feature film Last Cab to Darwin starring Michael Caton and the Academy Award® nominee Jacki Weaver. The film is due for release in August 2015.

Lisa also teaches Film and Television at the Eora Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Redfern.


Martin McGrath ACS Director of Photography

Martin McGrath’s career took off when he shot Jocelyn Moorhouse’s Proof and the hugely successful Muriel’s Wedding two years later.

He was nominated for the AFI award for Best Achievement in Cinematography for his work on both Children of the Revolution and Blackrock, and won an AFI for Passion starring Judy Davis and Richard Roxburgh.

His other film credits include The Sound of One Hand Clapping, A Little Bit of Soul, Swimming Upstream (ACS award), Footy Legends with Claudia Karvan, and Irresistible starring Susan Sarandon and Emily Blunt. Martin shot Second Unit on a number of US productions filmed in Australia including: Peter Pan; Son of Mask and Star Wars III Revenge of the Sith. His most recent feature films include Around the Block directed by Sarah Spillane and starring Christina Ricci, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013.

Martin’s television credits include the locally produced Packed to the Rafters for the Seven Network, Dance Academy Series 1 and 2 for ABC3, My Place for the ABC, TV1 real crime drama series Killing Time, the ABC court room drama Rake, and telemovies Jack Irish, The Broken Shore with Essential Media, Blue Murder, Blackjack, Valentines Day and the Golden Globe nominated On the Beach. Martin also shot the docu-‐dramas The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce and The Extraordinary Tale of William Buckley for the ABC.

Most recently, Martin has been nominated for an AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television for The Broken Shore for Essential Media and the ABC, he shot the kung-‐fu comedy series Maximum Choppage for Matchbox Pictures and ABC2, and Australian/UK co-‐production Banished for See Saw Films, RSJ Films and BBC2.


Tylah Pratt Production Designer

Originally from Wellington, New Zealand, Tylah Pratt started his career in the film and television industry at Park Road Post Production and Weta Digital on a range of features and projects. He then went on to work in the art department on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).

Now based in Sydney, Tylah has worked as production designer and art director on an extensive range of projects – from television series and miniseries to feature films and commercials, across a diverse variety of genres.

His television credits include the documentary series Behind Mansion Walls (2013) and Deadly Women (2013), Housos (2013) which won the TV Week Silver Logie Award for Best Light Entertainment, 7mate series Bogan Hunters (2014) and the 2014 Modern Family episode ‘Australia’ as set dresser.

Tylah’s other film credits include the Fat Pizza vs. Housos film (2014) and the short film You Cut, I Choose (2014).

Shereen Khan Costume Designer

After studying Fashion & Theatrical Costuming, Shereen began her career in costume and wardrobe at Channel 7, styling on air TV personalities.

In feature film, her career started as an extras wardrobe standby on George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Shereen has since worked as costume artist, designer and buyer for a range of feature films, television series, commercials and Bollywood productions including PJ Hogan’s Peter Pan, the Indian comedy From Sydney With Love, Scooby-‐Doo, Ghost Ship, the Indian comedy-‐drama Heyy Babyy and Ravi Kumar’s cricket-‐based feature film Victory.

More recently, Shereen worked on James Mangold’s critically acclaimed feature film The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman.


Marcus D’Arcy Editor

Marcus D’Arcy has worn many hats during his illustrious film and television career, including that of editor, post-‐production supervisor and associate producer. His work has garnered him several prestigious awards and nominations, including a 1996 Academy Award® nomination for Best Editing on the feature Babe, winner of the Best Editing Award at the 2001 New Zealand Film Awards for the feature Snakeskin and winner of the Best Editing Award for the feature Swimming Upstream at the 2003 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards.

Marcus’ other feature film credits as editor include I Frankenstein (2012) and Tomorrow When The War Began (2010) with director Stuart Beattie, Drift (2011) and Solo (2005) with director Morgan O’Neill, Anacondas: Curse of the Black Orchid (2004) with director Dwight Little, Dark City (1996) with director Alex Proyas, Dating The Enemy (1995) with director Megan Simpson, Lorenzo’s Oil (1992) with director George Miller and Flirting with director John Duigan.

Marcus has worked in the guise of post-‐production supervisor for Bootmen (2000) with director Dean Perry, Babe: Pig In The City (1998) with director George Miller, Dark City (1996) with director Alex Proyas, Dating The Enemy (1995) with director Megan Simpson, Lorenzo’s Oil (1992) with director George Miller, Flirting with director John Duigan, Dead Calm (1987) with director Phillip Noyce and The Year My Voice Broke with director John Duigan.

Marcus’ many TV credits include the NINE Network’s Sea Patrol and Two Twisted, and several acclaimed mini-‐series including Bangkok Hilton, The Cowra Breakout, Body Line and The Dismissal.


Salim Sulaiman Music Salim Merchant & Sulaiman Merchant

Today, Salim and Sulaiman Merchant are among India's most respected composers, having scored more than 100 films including Kurbaan, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, Band Baaja Baaraat, Aaja Nachle, Heroine, etc., around 20 TV shows and composed several records incorporating cinematic, folk, electronica and sufi influences to their music. They've composed for musicals such as Merchants of Bollywood and Beyond Bollywood. Their latest and much awaited Hollywood film Sold is already gaining a lot of appreciation at various film festivals.

The duo have enthralled audiences across the world with their live concerts including performing at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Their songs have been very inspirational especially their

sports anthem 'Chak De India'. They have really redefined the music scene in India.

Salim and Sulaiman have been part of several TV reality shows as celebrity judges including the very popular Indian Idol. They've got the Best Music award for the film Fashion at New York's Syracuse International Film Festival, Filmfare, Zee Cine, IIFA, Screen and several other awards. They were also nominated for a daytime Emmy Award for composing 'Save the Tiger -‐ Wonder Pets' and continue to spread their love all over the world including their latest collaboration with Lady Gaga -‐ Born This Way and Enrique Iglesias -‐ I'm a Freak.

They created an incredible episode for Coke Studio at MTV Season 3 which really touched a lot of people and created a unique sound blending traditional folk with 'the Now'. The songs they created got them closer to their own roots. Last year they redefined some of their greatest hits on MTV Unplugged Season 4.

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