Three Bangladeshis make their mark in Australian film 'Hindi Vindi'

Rupanty Akid plays "Rihana", a young Australian woman, appearing alongside a star-studded cast that includes Bollywood actress Neena Gupta and Australian singer Guy Sebastian

The Indo-Australian co-production "Hindi Vindi" has released in Australian theatres, featuring contributions from three Bangladeshis in acting, poster design, and distribution.

Bangladeshi-origin actress Rupanty Akid plays "Rihana", a young Australian woman, in the film. Meanwhile, Sajjadul Islam Sayeem designed the film’s visual art and poster, and Tanim Al Minarul Mannan, founder of the distribution company BongOz Films, is handling its distribution.

Directed by Sydney-based Indian filmmaker Ali Sayed, "Hindi Vindi" has received positive feedback from both audiences and critics, according to Rupanty.

Speaking at a film screening in Sydney, she shared her excitement with Glitz, saying, “The response has been amazing. Many people came up to me after the show, expressing their love for the film. They told me the story touched their hearts and that they could relate to my character, Rihana.”

The film’s star-studded cast includes Bollywood actress Neena Gupta, young actor Mihir Ahuja, and Australian singer Guy Sebastian, who makes his acting debut with this project.

Reflecting on her experience working on the film, Rupanty said, “The entire shoot took place in Australia, and working with Neena Gupta and Mihir Ahuja was fantastic. Initially, some people were sceptical about my casting and acting skills. But after the film’s release, they were pleasantly surprised and full of praise. That recognition means a lot to me.”

Mannan, responsible for the film’s distribution, expressed his pride in being part of the project.

“I first met director Ali Sayed at the South Asian Film Festival. When he shared the story of the film, I was immediately captivated. I love cultural films like this, and Hindi Vindi beautifully strengthens intercultural connections,” he said.

Mannan also revealed that "Hindi Vindi" has been released in over 40 theatres across Australia.

“It’s incredible to see Bangladeshi talents like Rupanty's acting and Sayeem's poster design contributing to such an international project,” he added.

The film follows the journey of Kabir, a young musician living in Australia with his father. One day, his grandmother travels from India to find him. Inspired by her words and cultural identity, Kabir embarks on a journey to learn Hindi to connect with his roots. He dreams of singing a song in Hindi for his grandmother, but the language proves challenging. His struggle to bridge the gap between heritage and identity becomes the heart of the story.

Mihir plays Kabir, while Rupanty portrays his love interest. Gupta takes on the role of Kabir’s grandmother, and Sebastian plays his father.