Sandeep Modi’s upcoming Marathi film Chumbak will have its Australian premiere at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The movie stars renowned lyricist Swanand Kirkire in the lead role.

It is a story of friendship between a 15-year-old table-cleaning-waiter-boy Baalu and his chance encounter with a 45-year-old slow-witted man Prasanna, which forces him to make a choice between his dreams and morality. 

Akshay Kumar, who was impressed with the movie, in one of the screenings in Mumbai, is presenting it. “He decided to present the movie, which slated to release on July 27 in India,” says a source. 

Currently, in its 9th year, IFFM is set to open its curtains from August 10 – 22 under the unifying theme of ‘Inclusion’. Each year, the festival promises to offer Australian and Subcontinent audiences the opportunity to explore and engage with the diversity of Indian Cinema in different languages.