Chairman TaFMA, Theja Meru, Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha and Dr. A. R. Rahman at the world premiere of Headhunting to Beatboxing in Melbourne, Australia. (DIPR)
The documentary film Headhunting to Beatboxing, produced by Grammy, Oscar, and BAFTA Award winner Dr. A. R. Rahman, premiered at the International Film Festival in Melbourne, Australia. The premiere was a highlight of the festival, with Dr. Rahman receiving the Excellence in Cinema Award ahead of the screening, adding the documentary to his illustrious repertoire.
Notable figures attending the event included Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), and Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), who served as executive producers of the film. Abu Metha was honored at the event, joining the Governor of Victoria State, the Mayor of Melbourne, and the Minister of External Affairs in presenting awards.
In his address during the world premiere and festival discussions, Metha spoke on the rich history and heritage of the Naga tribes, as reflected in their songs and dances. “Our rich and vibrant culture has been passed down for millennia, and today these stories are being told to global audiences by our artists and cultural ambassadors,” he said. He also highlighted the Hornbill Festival, describing it as a legendary celebration of the Naga way of life and an exhibition of the creativity, energy, and vibrancy of Naga youth. Metha invited the global community to experience this “festival of festivals” and acknowledged the support of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, whose vision and guidance brought the project to fruition after five years of work. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Rahman for his collaboration with Nagaland, noting that having a global icon like Rahman promote Naga youth is invaluable.
The premiere attracted prominent figures from the film and music industries, including directors Imtiaz Ali and Rajkumar Hirani, and Indian film personalities such as Karan Johar, Ram Charan, Malaika Arora, Nora Fatehi, and Kartik Aaryan.
During an interactive Q&A session following the premiere, TaFMA Chairman Theja Meru emphasized that the real heroes of the film are the musicians and artists of Nagaland. He expressed hope that the film would elevate Nagaland’s music industry to new heights and bring local talent to international platforms. Meru also thanked the festival organizers and the governments of Victoria and Melbourne for their support, expressing optimism that future collaborations would create more opportunities for the youth of Nagaland.
