While Indians are the second largest migrant group in Australia, we see an entertainment landscape that’s still working towards greater South Asian representation. So, it’s no surprise that the upcoming premiere of Hindi Vindi is not only well overdue, but immensely exciting for the community.
Directed by Ali Sayed and written by Jay Sharma with Sayed, the feature film boasts a star-studded cast including Bollywood’s Neena Gupta and Mihir Ahuja. Making his acting debut is Australia’s own Guy Sebastian, who also lends his angelic Australian Idol-winning voice to the movie’s stellar soundtrack.
If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ll notice Rupanty Akid – an actor, photographer and rising star in her own right – who plays a significant role in the movie.
“I’m anxiously waiting for my friends and family to watch this! It’s a strange feeling knowing something you have worked on for so long that has been a secret, is now about to belong to the world,” Rupanty tells Draw Your Box.
“I hope people everywhere connect with Hindi Vindi. At its heart, this is a story about friendship, of culture, of language, of family, of self. And those are themes that resonate no matter where you’re from.”
Today, we speak to the Australian actress with Bangladeshi roots about her Hindi Vindi character Rihanna, the power of representation, how she made her start in the industry, and of course, what we can expect from the movie.
A huge congrats on Hindi Vindi! How did the opportunity come about to be a part of this film?
Thank you! Honestly I got very lucky, in the sense that everything in the universe just aligned perfectly. They had already cast my character Rihanna and were about to fly her out from India, but she backed out for personal reasons. The team then decided to find an actress in Australia, and I auditioned for the part which felt like it was written for me. There were other stories like this with other characters during the casting process and honestly, the perfect final cast of Hindi Vindi in my opinion, was just meant to be!
What is it that drew you to this role?
There’s a huge reason I said yes but I cannot tell you without giving a major spoiler! But I will say that I was drawn to my character because her story isn’t just about culture or identity – but about passion and love. And with the script as a whole, I just felt so nostalgic when first reading it, as though it’s a classic film that hasn’t been made yet.
Can you tell us a bit about your character. What is she like, and what do you love most about her?
She’s someone who exists in two worlds but belongs to neither completely. You’ll see this in her fashion too – in details such as always wearing one earring, or outfits that are styled on either the left or right side. These were all put together by my amazing costume designer and stylist, Yasmin Qureshi. So I really love that about Rihanna, that she’s quirky with her own style and is brave enough to live her life how she wants, even with the restrictions holding her back.
In real life, how similar are you to your character?
Personality-wise, I had to act very bubbly and hyper in the movie, whereas in real life I’m very calm and collected. I also had to get piano and guitar lessons to prepare for the role. But I definitely could relate to Rihanna deep down at the core; her desire to love who she wants to despite what society says, her passion for creating and performing, being a fierce friend and always being there for them any time. I hope a lot of people can relate to her and feel inspired.
This film has an incredibly star-studded cast. What was it like working with the likes of Bollywood’s Neena Gupta and Mihir Ahuja?
Honestly, it was surreal. Neena ji carries such grace and wisdom, every moment on set with her was a masterclass in acting. For example, the director Ali Sayed would give one direction completely opposite of how she just acted out a scene, and you would see her totally switch instantly and follow the directions exactly, yet somehow better. Mihir has an incredible energy, both on and off-screen. I definitely felt like I was acting alongside someone who will be a superstar one day, he just has that aura. I especially really admired his commitment to nailing the very difficult Australian accent.
Did either of them share any words of advice during filming?
Not verbally, they are both very humble people and not the type to go around preaching words. I had wonderful conversations with them both over the months of filming on set. Neena ji and I both really connected over our love for architecture! She kept me updated on the progress of her home (mansion, really) that she was getting built at that time. The construction photos looked amazing and it really inspired me to keep working hard until I can also build my dream home.
A very recognisable Aussie face, Guy Sebastian, makes his acting debut in this movie. What was it like working with him?
Guy is a natural actor! He brought this genuine warmth to the set, and you could see he approached acting the same way he approaches his music – with a lot of heart and soul. There were scenes where he improvised little things that made the scenes feel even more real. It was also his idea to put on the accent he does in the movie, which really shows his passion to be authentic. And off-screen? Just the nicest ‘guy’ around!
Is there anyone from the cast whom you still keep in touch with? We must cheekily ask, is there a cast Whatsapp group?
Yes! Our group chat name is “Hindi Vindi Fam”, and it really is a family. It’s got me who plays Rihanna, Tal who plays Bree, Mathew who plays Shanty, Cooper who plays Ryan and of course Mihir who plays Kabir. It’s got a mix of deep conversations and random memes. We bonded so much during filming, and it’s one of those rare occasions where you know this connection will last beyond just this film.
This film brings the best of Indian and Australian talent and culture. How important is it to bring this to the forefront, especially in an entertainment landscape that’s still working towards greater South Asian representation?
It’s so important. Representation isn’t just about visibility – it’s about complexity and truth. Hindi Vindi doesn’t just tick a diversity box; it tells a story that feels lived-in and real while aesthetically still having the grandeur of a Bollywood style. My character Rihanna isn’t perfect, and I’m sure there will be some people who will take issue with certain things about her. But that is what makes her relatable and universal. Stories like hers remind us that identity isn’t one-dimensional – it’s fluid, evolving, and personal. And I feel like Hindi Vindi has portrayed Rihanna in a very palatable way that every generation will hopefully appreciate.
From being an actor, model, and photographer, your career is very versatile. Are you able to share how you made your start in the industry?
My dad always had a camera in his hand so growing up I was always comfortable being in front of a lens and behind the lens. I studied photography in school as an elective and fell in love with the process of being in the darkroom and developing photos – now I have my own business “R.A.D BlackStar Photography” which I absolutely love. Throughout school during term holidays, I would fly to Bangladesh to act in projects there, which really toughened me up but also caused me to stop. Acting was always my dream since as long as I can remember, but it just took me a while to come back around to it now in my adulthood. I’m also a bit of a YouTuber and do film reviews on my channel. I just love creating and hope eventually I will become a filmmaker similar to Mira Nair’s and Greta Gerwig’s style.
What have been some key career highlights/projects?
Hindi Vindi is definitely up there. I was once an extra next to Nicole Kidman who I love! And honestly I have spent years working as a blurry background extra on every major production you can think of, and I’m not ashamed of that – for me, every set is a learning experience. I just got signed with an amazing acting agent who only books main roles, so hopefully this is just the beginning!
As an actor, do you have any role models you look up to? Who would you love to work with in a film?
My favourite actors right now are Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe. Neither of them I follow on social media as I have a ‘thing’ where I only can see them in character. I don’t really believe in role models as I do reject celebrity culture (ironic, I know) but I truly believe we should not blindly idolise celebrities to the extent that we do right now. Directors, yes! I would love to be in a Tim Burton film one day, or anyone with his style of dark and whimsical.
The Hindi Vindi premiere is coming up. What can we expect from your outfit? How would you describe your usual style and what do you look for in picking the ultimate red carpet outfit?
There are a few Hindi Vindi premieres and some press panels which I’m preparing for now! Expect elegance with a touch of edge. My personal style is usually inspired by steampunk themes. So I’m planning perhaps corsets or other vintage styles combined with my character Rihanna’s colour, which is purple! For future red carpet looks of other movies, I think I’ll continue to incorporate my character’s style with my own.
Hindi Vindi hits cinemas in Australia on Thursday, February 27. Watch the trailer below.
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