Brand Bollywood Downunder
| Brand Bollywood Downunder | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Anupam Sharma |
| Written by | Anupam Sharma Karin Steininger |
| Produced by | Anupam Sharma Claire Haywood Deepti Sachdeva |
| Starring | Farhan Akhtar Fardeen Khan Harman Baweja Anupam Kher Anupam Sharma |
| Narrated by | Female voice as the personification of "India" |
| Cinematography | Casimir Dickson, Susan Lumsdon, Aaakash Subramanium, Gaganpreet Singh |
| Edited by | Karin Steininger |
| Music by | Brett Aplin Dmitri Golovko Burkhard von Dallwitz |
Production company | Films & Casting Temple Ltd |
| Distributed by | Pivot Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | A$2.3 million |
Brand Bollywood Downunder is a 2023 Australian feature documentary directed by Anupam Sharma that examines the globalisation of Bollywood with a focus on its cultural and cinematic connections with Australia from 1897 to 2023.[1] The film features interviews with actors and filmmakers including Farhan Akhtar, Fardeen Khan, Harman Baweja, and Anupam Kher, alongside archival footage and behind-the-scenes material.[2] It premiered in Australia on 2 November 2023, was released on over 39 screens nationally, and became available on Netflix Australia and New Zealand on 1 August 2024.[3]
Synopsis
Narrated by a female voice representing "India", the documentary explores the phenomenon of "Bollywoodisation"—the spread of Hindi-language cinema's aesthetics, storytelling, music, and dance into global film culture.[1] It charts Bollywood’s connections with Australia over more than a century, from the first screenings of Indian films in 1897 to modern collaborations.[2] The film also contrasts the production styles of the two countries, highlighting cultural differences and the shared passion for cinema.
Cast
Presented as themselves (in alphabetical order):
- Farhan Akhtar
- Fardeen Khan
- Harman Baweja
- Anupam Kher
- Anupam Sharma
- Aseem Bajaj
- Ashutosh Gowariker
- Helen Leake
- Kunal Kapoor
- Leena Yadav
- Nasreen Munni Kabir
- Sajid Nadiadwala
- Salim Merchant
- Vipul Amrutlal Shah
- Manpreet Kaur Singh
Production
Brand Bollywood Downunder was produced by Films & Casting Temple Ltd with a cross-cultural crew. It received support from Screen Australia through the Producer Offset program.[4] Filming took place in Australia, India, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Release
The film premiered at the Dendi Bollywood Film Festival on 5 November 2023,[5] and was later screened at the Oxford International Film Festival, Byron Bay Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of India.[2] Its European premiere took place at the UK Asian Film Festival (Tongues on Fire) in London, where it was hosted by the Indian High Commissioner at India House.[6]
The film released on Netflix Australia and New Zealand on 1 August 2025.[3] It is also available to stream on SBS On Demand.[7]
Reception
Critical response
Stage Whispers described the film as "a highly entertaining and informative look at Indian filmmaking culture… a must, whether you are a Bollywood newbie or dedicated follower".[2] In The Australian, critic David Stratton called it "worth watching" for its historical perspective.[8] ScreenHub Australia praised the historical content but found some stylistic choices distracting.[1] Hush Hush Biz called it "an insightful exploration of Bollywood’s rich history" and its influence on global cinema.[9]
Accolades
In May 2024, the film won the Flame Award for Best Documentary at the UK Asian Film Festival.[6] The award was accepted by Manpreet Kaur Singh, a journalist and broadcaster who appears in the film.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Murray, Stephen (2 November 2023). "Brand Bollywood Downunder review: where India and Australia meet". ScreenHub Australia. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Brand Bollywood Downunder". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Brand Bollywood Downunder – Netflix Australia". Netflix. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Brand Bollywood Downunder". Screen Australia. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Brand Bollywood Downunder". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Brand Bollywood Down Under wins Best Documentary at UK Asian Film Festival". Draw Your Box. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Brand Bollywood Downunder – SBS On Demand". SBS On Demand. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Stratton, David (3 November 2023). "Foe, husband replaced by AI replica in dystopian drama". The Australian. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Russo, Caroline. "Film Review: Brand Bollywood Downunder". Hush Hush Biz. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Australian feature documentary Brand Bollywood Downunder won the Flame Award for Best Documentary 2024". Desi Australia. Retrieved 13 August 2025.