Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer A. R. Rahman’s documentary, “Headhunting to Beatboxing,” directed by Rohit Gupta, is set to have its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024 in Australia.
Rahman expressed his excitement about the film’s premiere, stating, “The film is very special to us, as it throws light on the beautiful state of Nagaland and highlights the rich cultural and musical history it contains. Rohit and I are looking forward to the premiere and showcasing it to the audiences in Melbourne.”
“Headhunting to Beatboxing” explores the journey of rhythm and sound in Nagaland, highlighting the evolution of music across various cultures, tribes, and generations. The film is also competing for the Best Documentary Film at the festival.
Gupta shared his thoughts on the documentary’s significance, saying, “I feel the narrative holds global relevance, along with the incredible healing power of music. The film has been painstakingly made in over five years and I am excited to see the audience’s reactions to it and for them to explore the rich cultural and musical tapestry of Nagaland. Especially to hear a completely new sound coming from India.”
This documentary marks Rahman’s second major venture into filmmaking as a producer, following his earlier production, “99 Songs,” which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival.
IFFM Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange commented on the documentary’s selection, stating, “When we saw the documentary, we knew there was something special to it. We are delighted to have the world premiere of the film at IFFM and have Dr Rahman and filmmaker Rohit Gupta present it to our audiences.”
The film has been directed by Rohit Gupta and produced by A. R. Rahman, with Abu Metha, Adam J. Greig, Theja Meru, Rohit Gupta, Sheila Houlahan, and Rohhit Daas serving as Executive Producers.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, which is set to celebrate its 15th year, will commence on August 15 and conclude on August 25. This annual celebration is presented by the Victorian Government.
