Filmmaker Kabir Khan is tackling stereotypes with his latest project, My Melbourne, an anthology featuring real-life inspired stories. His segment, Setara, follows a 15-year-old Afghan girl who finds hope in cricket after escaping the Taliban.
Khan, known for hits like Ek Tha Tiger, believes immigrants thrive when embraced. He argues that rather than seeing refugees as burdens, society should welcome their contributions.
The film draws from the experiences of Afghan women cricketers who settled in Melbourne. While visiting the city, Khan met Setara, whose cricket dreams were shattered by the Taliban. Her resilience inspired him.
To keep the story authentic, Khan cast the real Setara instead of a big star. He wanted audiences to see her reality, not just a scripted performance.
My Melbourne, produced by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, also features stories from filmmakers Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, and Onir. It explores themes of diversity across gender, sexuality, and race.
The film is set for a March 14 release in India. While Khan knows it won’t be a box office giant, he believes some stories need to be told, even if they don’t promise big commercial success.