'Dukhtar', 'Abdullah' make it to Indian Film Fest of Melbourne

E-Paper | May 06, 2026

It's not novel for Pakistani films to get screened at international film festivals but it's not everyday that our films make it to festivals hosted by India. Indian Film Festival Melbourne has chosen three Pakistani works, Dukhtar, Abdullah and Burka Avenger in its 'From The Subcontinent' category to be showcased in the fest from August 14 to August 27.

Fawad Khan's Khoobsurat will also be shown in the festival, which has screenings spread over six categories; namely, 'Masterstrokes', 'Hurrah Bollywood', 'Beyond Bollywood', 'Girl Power', 'From The Subcontinent' and 'Film India World'.

Interestingly, all three chosen works have been internationally nominated previously as well. While Abdullah recently made it to a private screening at Cannes, Burka Avenger was earlier nominated for Emmy Kids Awards and Dukhtar took the lead amongst the tree as it was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been screened at various festivals since.

Popular Bollywood actor Vidya Balan has been chosen as the ambassador of the festival.

Some of the Indian films to be showcased include Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bobby Jasoos, Haider, PK, Mardaani, Jai Ho (a film based on AR Rahman) and Happy New Year, among others.

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Jul 10, 2015 04:06pm

Like all things in the west, Pakistanis are Indians. Think rationally and than comment on this statement.

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zeeshan

Jul 10, 2015 04:17pm

Proud moment for Pakistan. Glad that our critically acclaimed movies will be screen at Indian film festival. Kudos to the all directors. Watch burka avenger on taazi.com =>http://taazi.com/BurkaAvenger

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Kumar

Jul 10, 2015 04:25pm

Only Indian films should be shown under India film fest. The last time I checked, Pakistan was not part of India. Time for my country men to accept the reality of partition.

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Insanely Atheist

Jul 10, 2015 06:08pm

@Kumar Time for you to accept the reality of modern times.Whole world consider India as the ambassador of south Asian economy and culture.Its natural for them to host Pakistani film as well.BY the way Pakistani contents don't feature prominently in India not because of Indian conspiracy or any thing but because they are weak in content and advertising.Worthy films like Bol etc have always get exhibition in Indian cinema halls.

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Satt

Jul 10, 2015 06:23pm

When foreigners will watch films they won't clear out which one is Indian and which one is Pakistani.

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Lakhkar Khan

Jul 10, 2015 07:08pm

@Kumar, As a Pakistani I agree. I watched Dukhtar and it does not need Indian recognition. It already won a few awards. What Bollywood movies be like without Story borrowed from Hollywood, dance borrowed from American MTV and music from Pakistan? Just wondering.

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Joye

Jul 10, 2015 08:46pm

Bollywood is a copy film industry. Pakistan film industry is much better we make less bit professional films with stories.

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Rahul

Jul 10, 2015 10:34pm

No need to compare each other. Whoever has bigger audience will take the lead usually. South Indian movies are known for better technical quality than the Bolloywood but both co-exisit don't fight with each other. However blockbuster a south Indian movie is, still it has less reach comported to Bollywood. Same applies to Pakistani movies. Hollywood is hollywood , Bollywood is Bollywood - Then, Tamil, telugu, marathi, bengali, Pakistani movies will all remain as regional movies with bigger reach once in a while for big-hit movies. This is how I think Pakistani industry comes down to. May be it is already.

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I'M ALWAYS RIGHT

Jul 11, 2015 02:00am

Dukhtar had so much potential but it wasn't publicised properly in Pakistan. Instead we have garbage like Waar

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saeed

Jul 11, 2015 04:41am

Dokhtar means daughter دختر in persian. If it's Pakistani film then why they use persian word name it Larki

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Aarya Manish

Jul 11, 2015 06:00am

@Lakhkar Khan ..............I normally do not agree with pakistanis because of illogical reasoning But here you made goood points as many of bollywood movies(Hindi) are Crap with few Exceptions . Hindi movies in the past , were good with storyline and messages but not anymore................If pakistanis movies are good(not show off) and good story line and message , then why not???

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asif

Jul 11, 2015 06:03am

Pakistani film industry is similar in reach to regional films in India.

Recommend 0

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