Tannishtha Chatterjee’s Full Plate Closes 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Director and actor Tannishtha Chatterjee’s feature film Full Plate brought the 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 to an official close on August 23, serving as the festival’s prestigious Closing Night presentation.
What Happened
The film, featuring actor Kirti Kulhari in the leading role, was selected to conclude the Australian film festival’s programme. Lead actor Sharib Hashmi attended the event in Melbourne to personally present and introduce the project to Australian moviegoers.
According to the festival organisers, the selection served as a milestone for the film’s journey at IFFM, providing a platform to engage international audiences on questions of domestic roles, personal choice, and identity.
Key Highlights
- Closing Presentation: Full Plate was featured as the Closing Night film for the 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on August 23.
- Cast and Crew: The film is directed by Tannishtha Chatterjee and stars Kirti Kulhari alongside Sharib Hashmi, who was present at the screening.
- Core Plot and Narrative: The story centres on a homemaker with a natural gift for culinary preparation, where food evolves into a key medium for self-expression.
- Central Themes: The production explores the dynamics of patriarchy, personal individuality, societal and familial expectations, and how women strive to establish their own voices.
- Festival Scale: The 2026 edition of IFFM showcased over 130 films spanning across 36 languages, spotlighting cinematic works from India and the global Indian diaspora.
Why This Matters
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange noted that the festival seeks to provide space where diverse Indian stories can reach wider audiences, describing Full Plate as a natural fit for this mission. Lange highlighted that the film approaches relatable domestic realities through a deeply personal lens, addressing expectations placed on women while leaving a lingering impression on the Melbourne audience.
What to Watch Next
Following its concluding screening at IFFM, further official updates regarding the theatrical or digital release roadmap for Full Plate remain to be announced by the filmmakers and distributors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the film Full Plate?
The film was directed by actor and filmmaker Tannishtha Chatterjee.
Who stars in the lead roles of Full Plate?
Kirti Kulhari plays the central lead role in the film, featuring alongside lead actor Sharib Hashmi.
What is the premise of Full Plate?
The film follows a homemaker with an innate talent for cooking who uses food as a path toward expressing her identity, navigating patriarchal norms, and making independent choices amid family pressures.
How large was the IFFM 2026 film selection?
The 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne featured more than 130 films across 36 different languages.
Source: Bollywood Hungama.