How To Talk Australians is based on the hit web series with more than 13 million views. It follows the students of the Delhi College of Linguistics as they travel to Australia for a study tour, only for things to unravel into a bit of a… well, what would you call it? “A shit show,” as lead actor Ria Patel puts it.

There’s no denying that comedy is central to the movie, offering an entertaining and lighthearted take on Australian culture through the eyes of a group of Indian call centre workers. 

Patel says that while the film is hilarious, it equally sheds light on the complexities of Australia–India relations.

“It’s really refreshing to use comedy as a tool for messaging,” she tells Draw Your Box. “We all know what it’s like to feel like an outsider, and comedy is an entertaining way to shed light on cultural interpretation. Let’s be honest, laughing is good for us!”

Melbourne-based Patel hopes the film sparks conversations about how we treat each other, and the importance of having awareness of one another’s circumstances and experiences.

“Sometimes it’s simply about trying to understand each other,” she says. 

Patel plays Shani, your typical A-plus student – much like the actor was during her school days. But as the story unfolds, Shani challenges expectations and comes to represent something more than just the “good student” stereotype.

“She’s not afraid to speak up and swear! I’ve learnt so many cuss words and a great deal of Aussie lingo in the process,” Patel laughs. 

As the industry continues to push for greater diversity, Patel is excited to see stories that move beyond stereotypes.

“I’m very excited to have a character who is not here to f*ck spiders.”

The film also touches on the immigrant dream of arriving in a new country in search of a better life. Patel was only one-and-a-half years old when her parents migrated to Australia. Growing up, she sometimes felt isolated and misunderstood. These lived experiences made the film’s narrative particularly meaningful.

Ria says many people, especially immigrants – and not just those of an Indian background –  have shared with her how much the web series resonated with them and the experiences they had when they moved to Australia. They’re also not just of an Indian background, when they moved to Australia. 

“In a funny way, the series helped people understand Australia a little better and l hope the audience connects with the film in a similar way,” she says. “I love being a storyteller because it helps people feel seen and, hopefully, understood.”

The filming experience itself was an epic rollercoaster. The cast spent long days shooting all around Melbourne and also regional Victoria, including the town of Nhill.

“Up until filming, I had no idea Nhill existed,” she laughs.

Adding to the challenge, the cast were often filming in Melbourne’s cold weather while dressed in T-shirts and thongs.

Director Tony Rogers is a strong advocate for improvisation and keeping performances truthful. After all, comedy often comes from telling the truth about the human condition. He is surrounded by collaborative creative partners in writer Rob Hibbert, and producers Victoria Schaw and Jason Byrne to facilitate and support the execution of such work. 

Ria shares there were plenty of moments when keeping a straight face was nearly impossible.

“I loved meeting all the actors. We’ve had such a fun and talented cast,” she says. “It felt like a boot camp for comedy. Even actors who were only there for a day were insanely hilarious. I seriously learnt so much from them. Tony just knows how to make us funny.”

How to Talk Australians is now in theatres, and as Ria Patel insists, “it’s bloody good and you’d be a dipstick to miss it”. Watch the trailer below:

Draw Your Box is your go-to South Asian publication and media company in Australia. Follow Draw Your Box on Instagram here and TikTok here. For brand partnership enquiries, email alicia@drawyourbox.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and podcast below.