HEAR FROM THE CO-DIRECTORS OF ANTHOLOGY FILM, MY MELBOURNE

VicScreen asked three of the film’s co-directors about their experiences learning from some of the most respected directors in India to pull off this unique film. 

The principal cast of My Melbourne: Arka Das as Indraneel, Arushi Sharma as Saksi, Setara Amiri as Setara, and Ryanna Skye Lawson as Emma

Tammy Yang, Puneet Gulati, and Samira Cox took on the opportunity of a lifetime in 2024 to work alongside some of the most esteemed Indian film directors working today including Kabir Khan, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Onir. Together, they helped weave the narrative of My Melbourne around four pillars of diversity—sexuality, gender, disability, and race—connecting four disparate stories by their common themes of identity and belonging. 

The four short films which make up My Melbourne are Nandini, Jules, Emma and Setara, each of which are inspired by authentic stories of migration. The film is presented in five different languages including English, Bengali, Hindi, Dari and Auslan. 

My Melbourne made its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in August 2024, before appearing at Mami Mumbai Film Festival, Kolkata International Film Festival, Goa International Film Festival and Chennai International Film Festival. 

VicScreen: How did the opportunity for you to work as a co-director on My Melbourne come about? 
Puneet Gulati: I have always been a curious film buff who enjoyed writing and storytelling. I produced and directed a short, called Café Choice, which screened at various film festivals and was appreciated at the IFFM Short Film Competition. That's how I was invited to work on a concept for My Melbourne on the theme of race. While the concept I wrote was not selected, I was asked by [Director] Kabir Khan and [Producer] Mitu Bhowmick to work as a mentee director.
Tammy Yang: My Melbourne came about through my documentary and video artwork, as well as my involvement with Mind Blowing Films. After seeing my work and understanding my creative approach, [Producer] Mitu Bhowmick trusted me to take on the role of co-director. Mitu has been incredibly supportive and empowering—she believed in me even before I fully believed in myself.
Samira Cox: My mum saw a post on the Deaf Arts Facebook page when the film was just a concept. I was involved in developing concepts for the disability story and my idea was selected by Director Rima Das. I was then supported to develop this concept into a script and offered the opportunity to become the co-director on Emma.  

On location for My Melbourne shooting Emma

VicScreen: What was your reaction like when you discovered you’d been hired as a co-director on this film?
Puneet Gulati: I was gobsmacked; I couldn’t really believe that I had been bestowed with an opportunity that was very rare to be mentored by someone of such a high calibre like Kabir Khan. 
Tammy Yang: I felt very grateful and excited, but also nervous in a good way. This role allowed me to be mentored by four iconic filmmakers: soaking in their distinct styles and approaches to filmmaking. I also had the chance to learn from producer, Mitu, and senior local heads of departments, which was invaluable. 
Samira Cox: Surprised and excited! It was my dream to become a director and especially as I had been involved from developing the story concept through to the screenplay. I was so excited when Mitu offered me the opportunity to be involved in actually taking the story through to the finished film.
 
The cast and crew of My Melbourne on location for Setara with the Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brookes

VicScreen: Tell us (without spoilers) about the narrative you directed in this anthology film?
Puneet Gulati: Setara is a story of a Young Afghan girl who was a cricket player in Afghanistan before escaping to flee the Taliban. As soon as we heard her story, we knew we wanted to make this film. As migrants, we all face the struggle of finding our new identity, whether you arrived on a visa or as a refugee, or whether you landed in Melbourne today or 20 years ago. 
Tammy Yang: Jules tells the story of two women—Sakshi, who is newly married, and Jules, who is homeless…they form an unlikely connection as they navigate their individual struggles.
Samira Cox: Emma is the story of a dancer living with Usher syndrome – she is deaf, with a cochlear implant and losing her vision, as well as having subtle balance issues. Her dream, and passion, is to be a professional dancer and the story looks at some of the barriers she faces.

VicScreen: What was it like working under your director mentor? Can you share some of your learnings from this process? 
Puneet Gulati: Working under Kabir Sir was like going to a film school. I learnt to keep the storyline as tight and sharp and to the point as possible to keep your audience engaged and mesmerized in your storytelling world. 
Tammy Yang: Working under my director mentors, Imtiaz Ali and Arif Ali, was a transformative experience. They spent a lot of time with me and the writers, Monique Nair and Shivangi Bhowmick, guiding us through the development of the story. They held us to very high standards, but at the same time, provided support and encouragement, taking the time to listen to our thoughts and ideas behind each scene.
Samira Cox: Rima Das is a renowned Indian film director who likes to tell her story visually and uses the script as a base from which to allow a story to evolve. This was a little challenging for me being both deaf and vision impaired, I tend to like to know what is happening and be prepared but I had to learn to let go of the script sometimes and go with the flow.

Behind the scenes shooting Setara for My Melbourne

VicScreen: Who would you say My Melbourne is for? 
Puneet Gulati: My Melbourne is a story that brings communities together to understand the millions of emotions felt by people who have travelled thousands of miles to find a new home. 
Tammy Yang: I really believe My Melbourne is a film for everyone. It’s for those who want to experience Melbourne life through a diverse and inclusive lens, for anyone seeking a sense of belonging or exploring their identity, and for those who might find pieces of themselves reflected in the story.
Samira Cox: My Melbourne is for everyone. The stories are real and beautiful and celebrate diversity, disability, inclusion. I hope the film makes people think about their own values and prejudices and be more considerate of everyone.

VicScreen: What do you hope the lasting artistic legacy of this film will be?  
Puneet Gulati: I feel if people can leave the cinema saying that’s my story or that’s exactly how I felt when I arrived in this city, that will be the film’s legacy. That feeling of belong often takes time when you to move to a new land that’s not yours. 
Tammy Yang: My Melbourne is a film inspired by true events, brought to life by an authentic and inclusive cast and crew. If we look back on this film years from now, I hope it captures a significant chapter of Melbourne life in the 2020s—a city that is diverse, inclusive, and proud, yet not without its challenges. It reflects the struggles and quiet moments of growth that come with navigating life here, and ultimately, the journey of finding belonging and identity.
Samira Cox: I hope that everyone who worked on the film gains recognition and that the film is seen as important for telling everyday stories about real, diverse people who might be living next door to you too.

 On location shooting Nandini for My Melbourne

VicScreen: What were the biggest challenges in making this film? 
Puneet Gulati: There were many challenges in making this film, but I feel the major one for me was to ensure that we stay close to reality of story and tell it with sensitivity and authenticity. We engaged cultural consultants to get this right. 
Tammy Yang: One of the biggest challenges—and the most valuable learning experience—in making My Melbourne was embracing flexibility and being prepared to work with it. Production rarely goes 100% as planned, and this film, being a collaborative effort between creatives from India and Australia, involved a multitude of voices and perspectives.
Samira Cox: It was all challenging as it was my first time working on a feature film, but it was also a wonderful experience, and I learnt so much. Developing the script was quite an adventure as I didn’t realise just how many people have input and want their ideas included.

Behind the scenes on the set of My Melbourne

VicScreen: My Melbourne premiered at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2024, what was that experience like for you? 
Puneet Gulati: It was a surreal experience; I was honestly very nervous as it was the first time any audience were going to see the film. 
Tammy Yang: The premiere of My Melbourne at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) last year felt like a magical graduation ceremony, celebrating the last three years of hard work and dedication. Seeing over 800 people fill two Xtremescreen   cinemas on opening night was an overwhelming and joyous moment. 
Samira Cox: A crazy time. It’s the first film premiere I have attended and the first time being on the red carpet and up front for the official opening of IFFM. It was great to have my family there to see the film with me too.

VicScreen: What advice do you have for other emerging and aspiring filmmakers?
Puneet Gulati: I would say don’t wait for admission to a film school…If you have an idea, shoot it on your phone…if your content is good your audience will find you.
Tammy Yang: Starting out can be challenging, but my advice is to keep creating projects that you’re proud of and telling stories that truly resonate with you. When you consistently put work out there that reflects your voice and vision, it will naturally attract likeminded people, platforms, and opportunities that align with your dreams.
Samira Cox: Keep making films and reaching out for any opportunity that comes your way. Tell your stories, make your dreams come true and don’t let disability stop you.
 
The cast and crew of My Melbourne shooting Emma on location

VicScreen: How do agencies like VicScreen make projects like this possible?
Puneet Gulati: There is a real lack of opportunities for filmmakers like me from diverse backgrounds, whose first language is not English, so My Melbourne was a hugely empowering opportunity from Mind Blowing Films and VicScreen. 
Tammy Yang: My Melbourne served as a kind of creative incubator—a space where a group of emerging creatives, including co-directors, writers, and professional attachments—all supported by VicScreen, could come together to learn, grow, and support one another. This peer-driven journey was invaluable. We supported and learned from each other throughout the process, and beyond My Melbourne, these connections have laid the foundation for future collaborations.
Samira Cox: For emerging filmmakers it’s hard to gain funding or even know where to look as you don’t have a reputation or following yet, so these agencies give you some hope of getting projects off the ground.A production still from Jules in My Melbourne

VicScreen: What are you looking forward to about My Melbourne’s cinema release? 
Puneet Gulati: I am keen to hear from people from different parts of the world who will get to see our Melbourne, our stories and what we (as a society) are all about. 
Tammy Yang: I’m incredibly excited to see how audiences respond to My Melbourne, not just in the city where it was made but also in other Australian cities, as well as in New Zealand, Fiji, and India. It’s thrilling to think about the film resonating with diverse viewers and sparking conversations across different cultures and communities. The cinema release feels like the next chapter of this journey, and we can’t wait to share the film with the world.
Samira Cox: I am really looking forward to sharing the film with my family, friends and the deaf and Usher communities and I am full of excitement. I hope they love it as much as I do.

My Melbourne is screening at cinemas nationwide from 6 March.