Malayalam feature film ‘PRIVATE’ has been officially selected for the 17th Indian Film Festival Melbourne (IFFM) 2026.Written and directed by Deepak Deon, the film will be screened during the festival, which is scheduled to take place in Melbourne, Australia from August 13 to 23, 2026.
Indrans and Meenakshi Anoop lead the cast
‘PRIVATE’ features veteran actor Indrans and actress Meenakshi Anoop in lead roles.The film presents a socially relevant narrative that examines issues related to freedom of expression, human rights and the realities faced by ordinary people in contemporary society.
Deepak Deon reveals what inspired the film
Speaking exclusively to ETimes, director Deepak Deon shared the ideas that inspired him to write and direct ‘PRIVATE’.He said: “PRIVATE” comes from a deep concern about the shrinking space for freedom of expression and basic human rights. It has always bothered me how systems of power can slowly normalize control, silence voices, and make people believe they are powerless. PRIVATE is my response to this reality.”He added: “The 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. With this film I wanted to explore the psychological and emotional impact of this control on ordinary people. I believe that cinema has the power to provoke thought and start conversations and this film is my attempt to do that.”
A story of human connection and resilience
‘PRIVATE’ by Indrans selected for IFFM 2026; Deepak Deon Says: ‘The film is a reflection of today’s world’ – Exclusive
At the heart of ‘PRIVATE’ is the journey of two strangers: an old man and a teenage girl. Their shared journey gradually unfolds into an exploration of trust, resilience, courage and hope.On the other hand, Indrans was recently seen in Tamil film ‘Chinna Chinna Aasai’ and Suriya actioner ‘Karuppu’ which turned out to be a super hit.