DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY ON THE AUSTRALIAN SCREEN

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, AM

For significant service to the performing arts through film

We know Mitu Bhowmick Lange as Australia's strongest link to Bollywood - the person behind most of the Indian films distributed in Australia and New Zealand, and the highly successful Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. She talks to PAWAN LUTHRA about her work in films.

Mitu, you were born in India, have spent most of your life in Australia and are married to a New Zealander. With this new Australian accolade and top national honour, has India lost you forever to Australia? Never. That will never happen. My Indian identity is just as important as my Australian identity.

A lovely reply, Mitu. Now tell us, when you started Mind Blowing Films, did you see it growing and blossoming as well as it has? No, not at all. In fact, I think you know Pawan, because you’ve supported me right from the start. I don’t come from a business background, but an arts and filmmaking one. It was mostly for the love of cinema that we started the film distribution business. It took a life of its own, and as Indian films grew and grew we launched the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Soon the Victorian government came on board and then that took a life of its own as well. So this beautiful journey has been truly like Ekla cholo re where you've started on a path and like-minded people have joined you and supported you and it’s just gone to the next level.

What is that one moment you believed changed your story?

A very difficult question. I don't know Pawan, if there was any one single moment. It’s been a culmination of lots of moments. I think one of the big moments business wise, was when we did 3 Idiots We launched it on 20 screens in 2010, and to put it in perspective, we released Pathan recently on 120 screens. That is the kind of growth we’ve seen. 3 Idiots was the first film that crossed the one million mark at the box office. It really made the cinema chains sit up and take notice because our per screen average was so high. The irony is that Avatar had just released, and many cinemas took it off to put 3 Idiots on! It was selling out everywhere. That was a turning point not just for me but also for the distribution sector who till then were lukewarm towards Indian films, not realising the kind of box office impact they could have. And of course, culturally when we did the film festival - especially when Amitabh Bachchan came. You were there, Pawan. There was a moment when I was standing at Princess Theatre just behind Mr. Bachchan and the whole theatre was just screaming in joy. That energy just gave me such a sense of warmth. And then when Shahrukh Khan was here at Palais, and he jumped up on stage to join the 21 dancers who were young adults living with Down Syndrome. I really thought that the roof was going to come crashing down just with the cheer! That moment made me feel happy and fulfilled.

You’ve interacted closely with some top personalities of the film world. You mentioned two right now. Who’s been your favourite, and why?

We’ve been lucky because everybody who comes to the festival has been amazing. They are generous with their time, their warmth and goodwill. People like Mr. Bachchan and Shahrukh, they just bring a completely different level of energy.

Is it very difficult lining up these top names to come to Melbourne, or does Mitu just make a phone call and they ask what time do you want us there?

I wish it’ll be like that one day! I think the good thing is there’s a real intent and there is a real desire to come to the festival and to come to Melbourne, it's the distance and time (that are the worry). Dubai or Europe, it's maximum a two or three day commitment. But coming to Melbourne is almost a three to five day commitment. I think that's where it becomes a bit hard especially the ones who are super busy. But I've noticed if not immediately, then within two to three years, they keep their word and turn up, which is lovely.

One star who’s totally surprised you?

I won't say surprise but I was very appreciative of Vidya Balan who was our brand ambassador for the longest time, nearly seven years. She was always very generous with her time. Every year she brought beautifully hand-picked presents for the whole team. It showed warmth and thoughtfulness.

If there was a biopic made about you, who would you like to play you?

Pawan, you make me laugh! I don't know if you're saying this with sarcasm or are just pulling my leg!

Mitu, on a serious topic, you have a passion for social causes. It’s 26 January today, a day steeped in controversy in Australia, with the First Nations people and young Australians choosing to call it Invasion Day instead of Australia Day. How do you feel about this?

Pawan, there is a lot of history here which is very difficult and confronting, and I feel that at some point we all have to face it. I do think that process has begun maybe not as actively and as furiously as it should be. I do feel that there is a lot of truth and depth to what a lot of young Australians and the indigenous communities are asking for.

Mitu, you have scaled new heights, creating new peaks in connecting Australia to Bollywood. What next for Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM?

I feel very privileged and very honoured and to be honest with you this morning I've only been feeling very very grateful for everything that I've been able to do. But I feel that it's just the start and there's so much more to do. We are now starting a very ambitious feature film production called My Melbourne. It is an anthology of four short films. Each film is based on one of the pillars of diversity - race, gender, LGBTQI and disability. All four are being headlined by a really iconic Indian filmmaker and completely made by Australian cast and crew. I’m very passionate about this project because it’s all about representation, diversity and inclusivity on the Australian screen. Both on screen and off screen, this is something that we want to nurture and push forward more and more. You know Pawan that my daughter is a little girl living with Down Syndrome and that has really opened the whole world of differently abled people to my husband Roy and me. The people who work there are just so incredibly strong and big hearted. As parents, we are always advocating, trying to make things better and I feel that if I can contribute in that in some ways, specially as far as screen culture is concerned because that's my area, I will feel very very very happy about it.

Wonderful, Mitu. On behalf of my team at Indian Link and the Indian community at large in Australia, thank you for the work you do, and best wishes.

Thank you, Pawan.