Australian actor-turned-director Rachel Griffiths has expressed keen interest in creating a project that explores the Indian-Australian experience, drawing from her memorable collaboration with legendary Indian actor Om Puri and inspired by Indian cinema's global impact.
Unforgettable Moments with Om Puri
Griffiths recently shared a touching anecdote from the sets of their 1997 film My Son the Fanatic shot in England's Halifax. "When we stepped out for tea on the first day of shooting, we found ourselves mobbed by fans from the town's sizable South Asian community," Griffiths recalled during her visit to Panaji for the International Film Festival of India.
"Hundreds of people surrounded us. Among them was a man who was crying and telling how he loved Om more than his own brother, as the actor had shown what it means to be humane. I thought that was the greatest compliment an actor can receive," she said, reflecting on the profound impact Puri had on his audience.
From Acting to Directing: An Evolving Perspective
The Golden Globe-winning actor, known for her roles in Muriel's Wedding and American television shows like Six Feet Under and Brothers and Sisters, has now transitioned to directing and is particularly interested in cross-cultural narratives.
Griffiths described working on My Son the Fanatic, a powerful immigrant tale based on Hanif Kureishi's short story, as an "eye-opening experience." She noted that at the time, Australia wasn't telling immigration stories with the same depth as British filmmakers.
Now, she believes it's "one's responsibility to tell one's own national stories" and appreciates that today, "Australian stories are told by a diverse group of Australians that reflects who lives in the country now."
Indian Cinema's Influence and Future Collaborations
Griffiths revealed that Indian films have significantly influenced her work, particularly mentioning Dangal (2016) as "a big inspiration for my film Ride Like a Girl" (2019). She has also enjoyed watching the global blockbuster RRR (2022).
The actor-director specifically highlighted My Melbourne, an initiative by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, as an important movie that "makes the invisible lives more visible" within the Indian-Australian community.
With recent agreements signed between India and Australia, Griffiths expressed hope that distribution of Australian movies in India would become easier, potentially opening new avenues for cultural exchange and collaboration between the two film industries.
Griffiths' participation at IFFI Goa, where the restored cut of her 1994 debut film Muriel's Wedding was screened, underscores the growing cultural bridge between Australian and Indian cinema that she hopes to further strengthen through future collaborative projects.
