UnIndian
unIndian is a 2015 Australian romantic comedy film directed by Anupam Sharma, written by Thushy Sathi (screenplay), with additional writing by Vikram Singh and Rohan Mirchandaney, and starring former international cricketer Brett Lee in his acting debut alongside Indian actress Tannishtha Chatterjee.[1][2] The film, with a runtime of 102 minutes, explores themes of cross-cultural romance, family expectations, and identity through the story of an Indian-Australian single mother navigating love across ethnic lines.[2] Produced on a budget of A$4.6 million, it was entirely filmed on location in Sydney, Australia, highlighting urban Australian settings blended with Indian diaspora experiences.[3][1] The plot centers on Meera, a divorced Indian-Australian woman and single mother living in Sydney, who defies her traditional family's expectations by pursuing an independent life.[1] Her budding romance with Will, an easygoing Australian English teacher played by Brett Lee, sparks joy but also controversy, as they keep their relationship secret to avoid backlash from Meera's conservative parents and community.[2] The narrative delves into cultural clashes, including arranged marriage pressures and generational divides, while incorporating humor from the couple's efforts to bridge their worlds.[4] In addition to Lee and Chatterjee, the cast includes Supriya Pathak as Meera's mother and Akash Khurana as her father, bringing authenticity to the Indian family dynamics.[1] Sharma, an Australian filmmaker of Indian origin and UNSW alumnus, produced the film through Unindian Productions Pty Ltd, aiming to celebrate the complexities of multicultural relationships in modern Australia.[5][6] Cinematography by Martin McGrath captures the vibrant Sydney backdrop, enhancing the film's lighthearted yet poignant tone.[7] unIndian premiered in Sydney on 7 October 2015 and was released theatrically in Australia on 15 October 2015, later expanding to India on 19 August 2016.[1][8] The film received mixed reviews, praised for its charming portrayal of cultural integration and Lee's natural screen presence, though some critics noted predictable rom-com tropes.[4] It holds a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic consensus, underscoring its appeal as a feel-good cross-cultural story.[2]Production
Development
The development of UnIndian began with its announcement on September 5, 2014, by director Anupam Sharma, an Australian filmmaker of Indian origin, as the inaugural feature film supported by the Australia India Film Fund (AIFF), established in 2013 to finance projects exploring shared Indian and Australian cultural narratives through cinema.[9][3] Sharma envisioned the romantic comedy as a means to strengthen bilateral relations by highlighting cross-cultural dynamics in a lighthearted manner, drawing parallels to films like Bend It Like Beckham.[10] The film was produced by Anupam Sharma and Lisa Duff under Unindian Productions Pty Ltd, with a budget of A$4.6 million (US$3.3 million), reflecting a modest scale for an international co-production aimed at global audiences.[3][5] This financing structure leveraged contributions from the AIFF, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Destination NSW, and private investors including Devendra Gupta to support its cross-border appeal.[11] Script development centered on a screenplay by Thushy Sathi, a second-generation Australian of Sri Lankan descent, which emphasized themes of cultural clashes in interracial romance, drawing inspiration from the real-life experiences of immigrants navigating identity and tradition in Australia.[12] The narrative focused on conceptual tensions between familial expectations and personal choice, prioritizing relatable immigrant stories over exhaustive cultural exposition. Casting announcements highlighted Brett Lee's debut as the male lead, capitalizing on his international fame as a former Australian cricketer to broaden the film's reach, particularly in cricket-loving markets like India and Australia.[13] Pre-production commenced in late 2014, with principal photography slated to start in October, encompassing location scouting across Sydney to capture authentic urban and coastal settings integral to the story.[9] Additionally, early collaboration with Indian composer duo Salim–Sulaiman was secured for the soundtrack, integrating Bollywood musical elements to enhance the film's hybrid cultural tone.[14]Filming
Principal photography for unIndian took place primarily in Sydney and surrounding areas of New South Wales, Australia, beginning in October 2014 and wrapping in April 2015.[15][16] The shoot captured a variety of urban and suburban settings across 23 locations, including harbor views, beaches, a warehouse apartment in St Peters, and netball courts, to highlight the multicultural fabric of Sydney life.[17][18] The production spanned approximately six months, employing local Australian crews alongside Indian talent to merge Bollywood flair with Australian filmmaking techniques.[16] Cinematographer Martin McGrath ACS handled the visuals, focusing on the city's vibrant landmarks and everyday environments to underscore the film's romantic comedy tone.[16] Challenges included coordinating an international cast, with Indian actress Tannishtha Chatterjee traveling from India for her role, and integrating bilingual dialogue in English and Hindi to authentically portray cross-cultural dynamics.[19][20] A notable on-set anecdote involved lead actor Brett Lee breaking a coconut in one strike to ritually bless the start of filming, blending Indian traditions with the Australian production.[21] Following principal photography, post-production transitioned to editing by Academy Award nominee Marcus D'Arcy, completed ahead of the film's October 2015 release, with minimal visual effects emphasizing the grounded narrative style.[16][15]Cast
Principal cast
Brett Lee stars as Will, an affable Australian English teacher who instructs international students in local slang and navigates a cross-cultural romance with Meera after meeting her at a Holi festival.[22] This role marks Lee's acting debut following his retirement from professional cricket, where he was a prominent fast bowler known for his pace and charisma on the field.[23] Director Anupam Sharma selected Lee for his star power and massive fan base in Australia and India, which helped draw audiences to the film, while praising his natural screen presence and discipline honed from sports.[23] To prepare, Lee underwent intensive acting training with coach Kevin Jackson at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, including sessions to develop Will's backstory—such as his environmental interests and bike-riding habits—and vocal warm-ups to ensure authentic delivery of the character's laid-back Aussie demeanor.[22][24] Tannishtha Chatterjee plays Meera, a smart and independent Indian-Australian single mother who serves as the cultural bridge between her traditional family expectations and her life in Sydney, highlighting themes of diaspora identity in her evolving relationship with Will.[23] Chatterjee, an internationally acclaimed actress with a background in selective roles across Bollywood and independent cinema, drew on her experience in cross-cultural narratives to portray Meera's nuanced blend of heritage and modernity.[22] Sharma chose her as the first and only option for the lead, citing her exceptional acting prowess and ability to convey subtle emotional depth without relying on conventional stereotypes.[25] Her prior work in films like Brick Lane (2007) and Siddharth (2013) informed her approach, allowing her to authentically capture the character's internal conflicts around love, family, and cultural prejudice.[22]Supporting cast
Supriya Pathak portrays Savita, Meera's mother, embodying traditional Indian values that create both comic relief and dramatic tension in the family dynamics, as she constantly meddles in her daughter's romantic choices while pushing for a culturally appropriate match.[26][27] Her performance draws on her extensive experience in Indian parallel cinema, lending authenticity to the portrayal of immigrant family pressures in a cross-cultural setting.[28] Pathak's scenes highlight the generational clash, providing humorous yet poignant moments that underscore the film's themes of cultural integration.[29] Akash Khurana plays Ashok, Meera's father, who reinforces patriarchal expectations through his conservative demeanor and insistence on family honor, amplifying the external conflicts Meera faces in pursuing her interracial relationship.[27] His role emphasizes the weight of societal norms on the protagonist, with key interactions revealing the tension between personal freedom and familial duty.[28] Khurana's understated delivery contributes to the narrative's exploration of immigrant experiences without overshadowing the central romance.[30] The supporting ensemble includes Maya Sathi as Smitha, Meera's young daughter, whose innocent perspective adds emotional depth and influences her mother's decisions amid the unfolding romance.[28] Nicholas Brown appears as Samir, Meera's ex-husband and a minor antagonist, whose reappearance stirs jealousy and complicates the plot by representing unresolved past ties.[31] Will's friends, portrayed by Arka Das as TK (his Indian-Australian best friend and roommate) and Adam Dunn as Mitch, offer comic support by advising Will on navigating Indian customs, injecting levity into his cultural learning curve.[32][22] This small ensemble of approximately 10-15 actors, including minor roles like John Howard as Mr. Saunders, bolsters the main narrative by driving subplots of conflict, humor, and resolution without dominating the leads' arcs.[28][33]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for UnIndian was primarily composed by the duo Salim–Sulaiman. The album, released on 19 August 2016 by Zee Music Company, runs for a total length of 38:54 and features four main vocal tracks.[34][35] The tracks are:| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Holi Sequence" | Shraddha Pandit | 3:47 |
| 2 | "Judaiyaan" | Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant | 4:48 |
| 3 | "Hari Om Hari" | Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant | 3:26 |
| 4 | "Soona Aangan" | Gul Hora | 4:32 |