The Malayalam feature film PRIVATE has been officially selected for the 17th Indian Film Festival Melbourne (IFFM) in 2026.The film is written and directed by Deepak Deon and will be screened during the film festival in Melbourne, Australia, from August 13 to August 23, 2026.
Starring Indranth and Meenakshi Anup
“Private” stars veteran actor Indrans and actress Meenakshi Anoop in the lead roles.The film presents a socially relevant narrative that explores issues surrounding freedom of expression, human rights, and the realities faced by ordinary people in contemporary society.
Deepak Deon reveals inspiration for film
In an exclusive interview with ETimes, director Deepak Deon shared the ideas that inspired him to write and direct Private.“Private,” he said, stems from deep concern about the shrinking space for free speech and basic human rights. I have always been disturbed by how systems of power slowly normalize control, silence voices, and make people believe they are powerless. Private is my response to this reality. “He added: “This film is not just a story, but a reflection of the world we live in today – where questioning authority can become dangerous and silence is often mistaken for peace. Through this film, I wanted to explore the psychological and emotional impact of this control on ordinary people. I believe in the power of cinema to inspire thought and start conversations, and this film is my attempt to do so.”
A story about human connection and resilience
Indrans’ PRIVATE selected for IFFM 2026; Deepak Deon says ‘the film reflects today’s world’ – Exclusive
At the heart of “Private” is the journey of two strangers – an old man and a teenage girl. Their journey together evolves into an exploration of trust, resilience, courage, and hope.Indrans, on the other hand, was recently seen in the Tamil film “Chinna Chinna Aasai” and the Suriya-starrer action film “Karuppu”, which was a hit.