Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been cordially invited by the Government of Victoria to be the chief guest of the Melbourne Indian Film Festival this year.
The celebrated actor will officially grace the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the film festival held at Cultural City.
The widely acclaimed film fest is all set to commence on August 8 and will conclude on August 17, 2019. King Khan will be officially inaugurating the festival on August 8, 2019, along with 'Premier of Victoria' Daniel Andrews and the director of the festival Mitu Bhowmick Lange.
From grass root level, the festival in its tenth year has grown into a full-fledged government-supported festival.
The festival, with countless global admirers, has become the biggest Indian film festival of the Southern Hemisphere.
Helmed by Victorian Government of Australia, the festival is set to celebrate the central theme of ‘courage’, which is entrenched in the inclusivity and diversity of the Indian film business.
Speaking about the current theme for the festival, Shah Rukh Khan said: "I am particularly happy with this year's theme 'courage'. Courage is feeling that resonates with the storytellers who actually have the potential to change society and the world.
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The actor further said, "An industry of this magnitude and diversity deserves to be celebrated with enthusiasm and fervour and this is what this fest embodies."
Walking down the memory lane, SRK reminisced: "I have good memories of shooting 'Chak De! India' in Melbourne and I am keen to celebrate Indian cinema again this time."
Praising the true icon of Bollywood, the director of the esteemed festival Mitu Bhowmick Lange said: “We are so elated with the news of Mr. Khan joining us as our chief guest. He’s truly an icon of the Indian cinema internationally, millions of people follow and look up to him. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has always strived to bring the best Indian cinema here in Melbourne and bridge a gap between the fans and the actors whom people love and admire. We are looking forward to hosting Mr. Khan in Melbourne.”
