The Indian Film Festival 2025 (IFF) kicked off its inaugural event from February 7 to 9, 2025, across Jakarta, Bali, and Medan, Indonesia, marking a significant milestone for Indian cinema within the archipelago. This festival showcases two remarkable films, 'English Vinglish,' starring the late Sridevi, and 'Baaram,' which delves deep not only as enchanting entertainments but also as cultural binders.
One of the standout innovations of this year’s festival is the introduction of Indonesian dubbing for the films. Duta Besar India untuk Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, heralded this as a unique approach to draw interest from audiences unacquainted with English. He noted, “Different from other film festivals, this time we made dubbing for those who do not understand Indonesian. So, it will attract the attention of viewers who do not understand English.”
The ambassador's sentiments are echoed by Anindita Kusuma Listya, representing Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, who recalled, “When I heard the song 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,' I wanted to tell stories. Growing up, all the children around me watched Rahul and Anjali from this film.” Anindita reflected on how language barriers never hampered their joy for the films she grew up watching.
The festival is not just about showcasing films, it aims to fortify the India-Indonesia relationship through cultural exchange. Recently, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia signed the 2025-2028 Cultural Exchange Program with India, set to broaden collaboration beyond mere entertainment.
CEO of Rapi Films, Gope T Samtani, explained, “This festival is held by the Embassy of India in Jakarta using Bahasa Indonesia as the spoken language for the films, so it can be screened publicly, allowing people to enjoy Indian films with Indonesian subtitles.” He also detailed his company’s continuous social outreach efforts to bring entertainment and social aid to remote areas.
Ayu Azhari, who lends her voice to Shashi's character from 'English Vinglish,' revealed her elation at being part of such a cultural initiative. “Very impressive. Initially, I thought it would be easy, but it turns out Sridevi was truly an extraordinary actress, very impactful. Her voice is so soft,” she said, hinting at the challenges of matching Sridevi’s iconic performance.
Looking forward, Ayu expressed hope for greater collaborations between Indian filmmakers and Indonesian actors, aiming for recognition of their talent on the global stage. Her ambitions echo the overarching goal of the IFF 2025, which hopes to amplify the appreciation of Indian cinema among Indonesian audiences.
With the festival now underway, it is poised to not only entertain but also educate, fostering intercultural connections through the vibrant storytelling of India’s film industry. After years of historical ties, this effort signals a proactive step forward, allowing the rich cultures of both countries to fuse through the medium of film.