Diwali is a time of community, connection, light and hope – so it was only fitting that Netflix showcased its upcoming feel-good Indian release, Vijay 69, just in time for Diwali this week.
On Wednesday October 30, Netflix and Draw Your Box presented a special community screening of the Anupam Kher-led film at Sydney’s Event Cinemas on George Street, with more than 200 guests from the community, business and creative sectors coming together to celebrate this milestone moment for South Asians in Australia.
“Tonight is about celebrating community, and the South Asian population in Australia is one of the largest growing communities, with Indians officially the second largest migrant group in Australia. It makes tonight all the more important and special,” Draw Your Box founder Alicia Vrajlal said on the night.
“The significance of representation and culture underpins so much of my work as a journalist and what we do at Draw Your Box, and tonight’s screening – with a big thanks to Netflix – is an important cultural moment in bringing Indian content to screens all over the world and of course, in Australia.”
Written and directed by Akshay Roy, the movie Vijay 69 stars acclaimed Bollywood actor Anupam Kher in the titular role. It follows the inspiring journey of Vijay, a 69-year-old man who defies societal expectations by training for a triathlon and refusing to let age limit his ambitions.
Welcoming the Sydney crowd via a video recorded in India, Anupam Kher said: “Diwali is a time of coming together and the victory of light over darkness, and I hope you can take some time out and enjoy our film Vijay 69. Remember, there is no expiry date of your dreams.”
While the film officially releases worldwide on Netflix on November 8, this screening presented a unique opportunity for community members to enjoy a sneak-peek of the film ahead of the festival of lights.
Moved by its powerful messaging of never giving up on your dreams, Walkley award-winning journalist Sarah Malik reflected after watching: “I felt it was a very inspiring story that reminds you that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. It’s something that relates to me personally because I also took up swimming at a later age, and recently just swam in the ocean for the first time”.
The film unsurprisingly sparked a range of emotions for audience members, demonstrating its versatility and universal appeal to people of all walks of life.
“I cried, I laughed at times,” said singer Shristi Gautam, while content creator Jeremy Franco shared, “I’m going to be honest, I was crying the whole time. I was sad, I was happy, I was happy-crying, I was angry-crying. It was amazing!”
Jahin Tanvir, CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship, shared that attending this event was as monumental for the first-generation of South Asian immigrants as it was to him as a second-gen Bangladeshi Australian.
“I brought my Bangladeshi mother along and she thoroughly enjoyed it with a very proud: ‘I’m so happy that events like this happen for South Asians. I wish we had this when I moved to Australia’,” he said.
With a spectacular marigold-laden red carpet set up by The Events House, gifts bags featuring delicious Indian sweets (barfi) from Chai Ya Pani, and diyas and masala chai packs from Kellyville Groceries, guests were treated to a Diwali experience that we hope they treasure for years to come.
Happy Diwali/Deepavali, and tune in to Vijay 69 when it premieres worldwide on Netflix on November 8.
