Mitu Bhowmick Lange: Bringing Indian cinema to Australia

(November 30, 2024) When Mitu Bhowmick Lange first arrived in Melbourne in 2002, she found herself in a city that couldn’t have been more different from Mumbai, where she had built a thriving career in television and film. Melbourne, despite the multicultural vibe, felt quieter, slower and unfamiliar. As a passionate cinema lover, she missed the energy of India’s entertainment industry and the rich, dynamic stories that reflected her homeland. Fast forward two decades and Mitu has transformed this cultural distance into a powerful bridge. She is the founder of Mind Blowing Films (MBF), the leading distributor of Indian films across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and the director of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the largest South Asian film festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange

Under her leadership, Indian cinema has become a prominent part of Australia’s mainstream entertainment. What once played in small community centres has now made its way to major multiplexes, where Bollywood hits and regional films attract audiences from the Indian diaspora and curious locals alike. Her work has also strengthened collaborations between Indian and Australian filmmakers, establishing Melbourne as a key center for cross-cultural storytelling. “You will find not just Hindi films but Tamil, Punjabi, and Telugu films being screened. I feel very proud about the kind of growth the market has witnessed since we started,” the Global Indian said.

Over the years, her work has earned widespread recognition, including the Jill Robb Screen Leadership Award and the prestigious Order of Australia for her contributions to Australian cinema. But her journey, like any film narrative, began with challenges, determination, and a deep passion for storytelling.

From Mumbai to Melbourne: A New Beginning

Originally from Kolkata, she finished her graduation from Delhi University before studying film at St Xavier’s College in Mumbai. Soon she kickstarted her journey in film and television by producing and directing shows for BBC News, Zee TV and Star Plus, and worked on the award-winning documentary Watch Without Prejudice, which UNICEF India presented to highlight the impact of violence on Kashmiri children.

But she had to bid her thriving career a goodbye when she followed her husband to Melbourne “resentfully”. “In India, I had a good job and I was part of the media and television world. In Melbourne, I didn’t have anything going on. Slowly, I tried to create my own little world here.” She joined a media and advertising company and spotted an opportunity others had overlooked: the untapped potential of Indian cinema in Australia. At the time, Australian companies were primarily focused on American productions, and Bollywood was barely on the radar. “I somehow managed to convince my very Australian boss that we should look at India as well,” she said in an interview. The idea was bold, and it paved the way for what would become her life’s work.

Salaam Namaste: The Turning Point

The breakthrough came in 2005 with the Bollywood romantic comedy Salaam Namaste, which became the first Indian film shot entirely overseas. As an in-line producer for the project, Mitu worked closely with Yash Raj Films, a collaboration that laid the groundwork for her future ventures.

The film was a massive success. Beyond box office numbers, it showcased Melbourne as a vibrant, multicultural city, leading to a 17 percent increase in tourism from India to Victoria. “Salaam Namaste went on to create so much awareness for Melbourne in India,” Mitu said, adding, “There was a hike in tourism, with students coming to study here.”

The success of Salaam Namaste was only the beginning. Mitu realised there was a growing appetite for Indian films among Australia’s South Asian diaspora. But at the time, these films were screened in makeshift venues like community halls and Chinatown cinemas. “I remember sitting in these makeshift cinemas, and in the middle of the screening, the projector stopped working. When the reel was changed, it was a completely different film!”

The Rise of Mind Blowing Films

Determined to change this, she founded Mind Blowing Films (MBF) in 2009, a distribution company dedicated to bringing Indian cinema to mainstream Australian audiences. The early days weren’t easy. Australian exhibitors were wary of working with Indian distributors, citing past difficulties. But Mitu persisted, earning their trust and opening doors for Bollywood and regional films.

Today, Mind Blowing Films is the leading distributor of Indian cinema in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, releasing over 40 films a year. From Hindi blockbusters to Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi hits, MBF has helped make Indian films a staple in Australian multiplexes. With the Indian diaspora growing rapidly in Australia, now numbering over 700,000, the love for Indian cinema has remained strong, serving as a cultural bridge for many to stay connected to their roots. By bringing Bollywood hits and regional films to Australian theatres, she has made it easier for the diaspora to enjoy the stories they love.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

Mitu’s vision for Indian cinema didn’t stop with distribution. In 2010, she launched the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the largest South Asian film festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Supported by the Victorian Government since 2012, the festival has become a cultural institution, showcasing the best of Bollywood, regional films, and independent cinema.

Mitu Bhowmick with Shah Rukh Khan

IFFM is more than just a celebration of Indian films; it’s a platform for diverse storytelling. From Tamil and Telugu films to hard-hitting documentaries, the festival represents the vast spectrum of South Asian cinema. Over the years, it has brought stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kangana Ranaut to Melbourne, attracting audiences from all walks of life.

“Often, we are only as inclusive within our comfort zones,” Mitu says. “Screen is so important for bridging prejudices. You can’t be what you can’t see, and this has driven my work.”

In 2019, Mitu launched My Melbourne, an initiative that pairs Indian filmmakers with Australian writers to create films exploring race, gender, disability, and sexuality. The project is set to premiere at the 2024 IFFM, further cementing the festival’s role as a platform for underrepresented voices.

Beyond Cinema: Championing Social Impact

Mitu’s work isn’t limited to entertainment. She’s deeply committed to using cinema as a tool for social change. In 2016, she produced the award-winning documentary Raising the Bar, which followed six individuals with Down Syndrome from India and Australia as they attended the World Down Syndrome Congress in Chennai.

Her passion for education led to Educate the Educators, a program launched in collaboration with La Trobe University and Blue Bells International School in New Delhi. The initiative equips teachers with the skills needed to work with children with special needs.

Recognition and Legacy

Over the years, Mitu’s contributions have earned her widespread recognition. In 2017, she became the first Indian to receive the Jill Robb Screen Leadership Award. A year later, she was appointed to the board of Film Victoria, another first for an Indian in Australia.

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In 2023, she was awarded the Order of Australia, an honour that she describes as deeply meaningful. “It’s a recognition for all the hard work, especially for anyone who has come to Australia and calls the country a home now. You have to work and try to find a sense of belonging, and when you receive such recognition, you feel complete,” she says.

A Vision for the Future

Mitu’s journey is far from over. With plans to produce collaborative Australian-Indian films, she continues to push boundaries and foster creative partnerships. “As the world is getting smaller, audiences are becoming more global,” she says. “Diverse creative expression across cinema and the arts is important.”

From her early struggles in Melbourne to her role as a cultural ambassador for Indian cinema, Mitu Bhowmick Lange has shown how the power of storytelling can bridge worlds. Through Mind Blowing Films and IFFM, she has not only transformed how Indian cinema is experienced in Australia but has also created a legacy of inclusion, diversity, and connection.