Filmmaker Kabir Khan, who tells the inspiring tale of a young Afghan woman who rebuilds her life in Melbourne after escaping the repressive Taliban rule in My Melbourne, asserts that immigrants and refugees should not be viewed from a single angle.
Onir, Rima Das, and Imtiaz Ali all have segments in the anthology film. With four distinct storylines, the anthology film, which was directed by Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, and Onir, is centered around the four pillars of diversity: sexuality, gender, handicap, and race. They draw inspiration from real-life events.
The story of a 15-year-old Afghan girl who fled the Taliban and arrived in Melbourne is vividly depicted in Khan’s episode, Setara. In the midst of family conflicts and past trauma, cricket gives her a feeling of belonging.
In addition to showing a city with the heart to achieve this, it was an inspiring narrative since Setara’s ambition was realized via cricket. It is a crucial tale to convey to the world that immigrants and refugees can never make a positive contribution to society if they are only viewed from one angle.
The director, who has directed hits like Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, told PTI in an interview that “but if you welcome them and make them feel at home, they contribute to you. In the film, Setara also helps Melbourne, so that is why, for me, it became an important story.”
Khan claims that he was inspired when he learned about the Afghan women’s cricket squad when in Melbourne roughly two years ago to win an award for his highly regarded 2021 feature.
Melbourne housed the Afghan women’s cricket team members and their families after the Taliban took control for the second time, forcing everyone to flee for their lives.
“This is a really good story, through which we can talk about Melbourne and her story,” he added. “I met Setara. She was training in Afghanistan and wanted to play for the national cricket team, but her dream was left unfulfilled because she had to leave Afghanistan.”
Khan’s relationship with Afghanistan started while he was making his first feature, Kabul Express, and then again as a documentary filmmaker. The director claimed that he unintentionally finds himself drawn to tales from nations that have experienced war.
“I have been in Afghanistan a lot. I have experienced it firsthand. I have witnessed what is happening. Thus, there is comprehension of the topic. I am still in contact with individuals, even if the Taliban seized over once more. Making this video has benefited from my experience as a documentary filmmaker,” he stated.
“In a way, that is why I am drawn to certain topics like that because I understand this world, I understand the people and their issues, and they put me in a position where I can tell this story,” the director continued.
Khan purposefully chose Setara for the title role of his short film rather of a well-known star in order to have an authentic portrayal.
“We wanted to be honest. Why put a star on it? He added that he had conducted several workshops with Setara and had urged her to accept her actual personality rather than pretend, saying, “For me, the story is about this girl, Setara is the star.”
The director attributes the opportunity to producer Mitu Bhowmick Lange.
My Melbourne is a group project that includes other moving shorts including Das’s Emma, Ali’s Julis, and Onir’s Nandini.
Khan is well aware of the film’s unique appeal, even though it will be released in theaters in India on March 14.
“Not every movie has to appeal to everyone. We are aware that there are no stars in it and that it is a niche, anthology picture. Therefore, no one has unrealistic expectations that it will bring in a lot of money at the box office, but it is crucial that these tales are told and that everyone who wishes to watch it should be able to do so,” Khan stated.
