Medianet press release
In a first for an Australian university, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will host
the red carpet premiere of the much-anticipated Bollywood film, FROM SYDNEY WITH
LOVE, on Wednesday, August 1.
The movie, written and directed by Prateek Chakravorty, (who also stars in the movie)
was filmed on campus at the University and is set against the backdrop of Sydney.
Chakravorty has drawn on his own experiences and fond memories of his time as a
student in Australia and created a typically colourful and musical Bollywood-style
extravaganza. It is the story of Meghaa Banerjee, a small town girl from West Bengal
(played by Bidita Bag), whose dreams come true when she wins a prestigious
scholarship to UNSW. She leaves her family and culture behind, makes new friends
and falls in love. What results is a fun, quirky, emotional and furiously endearing love
story set across two hemispheres.
Naturally Bollywood-style singing and dancing play an integral part of the movie,
which also stars Evelyn Sharma, Karan Sagoo, Sharad Malhotra and Reshmi Ghosh.
Filmed in 2011, Sydney is the real star. Iconic scenes include Bondi Beach, Circular
Quay, Central Station, the Sydney Opera House, and of course UNSW’s Kensington
campus.
Employing over 300 Australian cast and crew, FROM SYDNEY WITH LOVE is the
realisation of a long-held dream for Chakravorty and a proud, vibrant way to
showcase the relationship between the Australian and Indian film industries.
"UNSW's tie up with FROM SYDNEY WITH LOVE is consistent with its traditions of thinking
outside the box,” says film maker Anupam Sharma, a UNSW alumnus and the movie’s
Australian Head of Production.
“It was a professional delight to watch my old uni mobilise support overnight to
enable us to film on campus in the most welcoming way. I am glad that the University
that gave me the tools to make movies is now supporting this production.”
Mr Sharma says UNSW’s red carpet premiere “is a milestone in the growing links
between India and Australia, particularly in film and media.”
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Jennie Lang said she was thrilled that UNSW was
the first Australian university to star in a Bollywood film.