Malayalam feature film ‘PRIVATE’ has been officially selected for the 17th Indian Film Festival of 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 August 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 surrounding freedom of expression, human rights and the realities that ordinary people face in contemporary society.
Deepak Deon reveals what inspired the film
Speaking exclusively to ETimes, director Deepak Deon shares the ideas that inspired him to write and direct ‘PRIVATE’.He said, “PRIVATE’ from a deep concern about the reduction of space for freedom of expression and basic human rights. I have always been troubled by how systems of power slowly normalize control, silence voices, and make people believe they are powerless. My response to that fact is PRIVATE.”He added, “The film is not just a story, but a reflection on the world we live in today—where questioning authority can be dangerous, and silence is often mistaken for peace. Through this film I want to explore the psychological and emotional impact of such control on ordinary people.
A story of human connection and resilience
Indrans’ ‘PRIVATE’ selected for IFFM 2026; Deepak Deon says, ‘Film is a mirror of today’s world’ – Exclusive
At the center of ‘PRIVATE’ is the journey of two strangers—an old man and a teenage girl. Their shared journey gradually evolves into an exploration of trust, resilience, courage, and hope.On the other hand, Indrans was recently seen in the Tamil film ‘Chinna Chinna Aasai’, and the Suriya starrer actioner ‘Karuppu’ which turned out to be a superhit.