Brand Bollywood Downunder
Brand Bollywood Downunder is a 2023 Australian feature documentary directed by Anupam Sharma that examines the globalisation of Bollywood with a focus on its cultural and cinematic connections with Australia from 1897 to 2023.
The film features interviews with actors and filmmakers including Farhan Akhtar, Fardeen Khan, Harman Baweja, and Anupam Kher, alongside archival footage and behind-the-scenes material. It premiered in Australia on 2 November 2023, was released on over 39 screens nationally, and became available on Netflix Australia and New Zealand on 1 August 2024.
Synopsis
Narrated by a female voice representing "India", the documentary explores the phenomenon of "Bollywoodisation"—the spread of Hindi-language cinema's aesthetics, storytelling, music, and dance into global film culture.It charts Bollywood’s connections with Australia over more than a century, from the first screenings of Indian films in 1897 to modern collaborations. The film also contrasts the production styles of the two countries, highlighting cultural differences and the shared passion for cinema.
Former Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, and former Ministerial Adviser Mr. Nitin Gupta briefly discuss about the journey of Bollywood in the state of Victoria, Australia.
Cast
Presented as themselves :- Farhan Akhtar
- Ted Baillieu
- Aseem Bajaj
- Harman Baweja
- Ashutosh Gowariker
- Nitin Gupta
- Kunal Kapoor
- Fardeen Khan
- Anupam Kher
- Helen Leake
- Nasreen Munni Kabir
- Sajid Nadiadwala
- Vipul Amrutlal Shah
- Anupam Sharma
- Manpreet Kaur Singh
- Salim Merchant
- Leena Yadav
Production
Brand Bollywood Downunder was produced by Films & Casting Temple Ltd with a cross-cultural crew. It received support from Screen Australia through the Producer Offset program. Filming took place in Australia, India, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.Release
The film premiered at the Dendi Bollywood Film Festival on 5 November 2023, and was later screened at the Oxford International Film Festival, Byron Bay Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of India. Its European premiere took place at the UK Asian Film Festival in London, where it was hosted by the Indian High Commissioner at India House.The film released on Netflix Australia and New Zealand on 1 August 2025. It is also available to stream on SBS On Demand.