'Parched' to open Indian Film Festival of MelbourneMelbourne, June21(AZINS) Leena Yadav directorial "Parched" has been shortlisted to be the opening film at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The director says it is a huge honour for her.

The festival will return with its opening night on August 11 with Yadav's film starring Radhika Apte, Tannishtha Chatterjee, and Lehar Khan in key roles.

Yadav said in a statement: "It is a huge honour to be the opening film at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2016. This is also because the journey of 'Parched' started in Australia."

She says she was "on a jury of a festival in Brisbane and that is where I started writing 'Parched'".

"And that is also when I attended a talk moderated by Mitu Bhowmick Lange. There is a design to the way things pan out!" she added.

Set in rural India, "Parched" follows the lives of three ordinary women who begin to break free from centuries-old traditions. The film has been jointly produced by Ajay Devgn, Aseem Bajaj, Gulab Singh and Rohan Jagdale.

The festival will flag off in the presence of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor who will be the guest of honour at the event. Some of the best films will be screened and will be followed by an award ceremony felicitating the best in cinema on August 12.

The festival will also celebrate the many aspects of Indian cinema with activities such as dance competitions and several master classes conducted by the best in the business.

It will conclude on August 20 with the screening of "Angry Indian Goddesses".