Onir is a critically acclaimed director, editor, screenwriter and producer; respected for his provoking and poignant films exploring human connection. His film My Brother…Nikhil (2005) is a controversial and acclaimed film, nominated at IFFA and screened at over 40 international film festivals, taking the Audience Choice Award in Milan LGBT film festival. Onir has received an Indian National Award for his film I Am (2010). His most recent release Shab (2017) is the Opening Night film of WIFFS 2017, which he will be presenting along with stars Raveena Tandon, Ashish Bisht, and Raj Suri.

Raveena Tandon is a critically acclaimed actress, producer and model. Reveena attained recognition early in her career, however it was when she ventured into more serious roles within arthouse and parallel cinema that her success flourished. Winning the Best Actress Indian National Film Award for her performance in Kalpana Lamji’s Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001), Reveena’s characterization has been met with widespread acclaim. Raveena will be joining WIFFS to present the Opening Night film Shab (2017), which is garnering attention for its poignant exploration of human relationships.

Tannishtha Chatterjee’s career is marked by a long list of accolades in Indian and international cinema. Tannishtha’s credits include Anna Karenina (2012) and the recent critically acclaimed Lion (2016). Her film Dekh Indian Circus (2011) won Best Children’s Film and a Special Mention at the Indian National Film Award, as well as the Audience's Choice Award in Busan International Film Festival. In 2016 Tannishtha was honoured with a Special Award at the BAFTA and London Asian Film festival for her contribution to Asian Cinema. Recently, Tannishtha won Best Actress at the 2017 Pune International Film festival for her biographical role in Dr. Rakhmabai (2017), which she will be presenting in person at WIFFS 2017.

Ashish Bisht, an Indian model and actor born in Delhi, is the latest fresh face to break into Bollywood. With a successful commercial modelling career under his belt, Ashish caught the eye of Shab (2017) director Onir. Leading opposite Arpita Pal and Raveena Tandon, the story is about human connection. Ashish has also bagged the lead role for Onir’s next movie Veda, and will be presenting Shab at WIFFS 2017.

Actor, producer, photographer; Raj Suri is a man of many talents. As the founder of Karigar Australia, Suri has been a producer of film and digital media, emphasising collaboration between India and Australia. The only Australian producer on the Bollywood film I Am (2010), Suri’s efforts were recognised when the film took home India’s National Award for Best Hindi Film, on top of finding success at film festivals the world over. A passionate patron of the arts, Raj will be joining his co-stars and director to present Shab at WIFFS 2017.