Filmmaker Tabrez Noorani’s *Love Sonia* has been honored by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2018 with two awards, winning the Best Indie Film and the Best Supporting Performance Award to actress Richa Chadha. The film was also the opening film at the festival.

It has been strong start for Love Sonia from a well applauded UK premiere to a standing ovation at the Melbourne screening and now bagging the awards.

Actress Freida Pinto too won the diversity award at the festival.

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The film also found strong support with popular Bollywood personalities present at the festival including Rajkumar Hirani and Vicky Kaushal.

*Director Tabrez Noorani* shares, “Love Sonia is an important film, not only  for me, but also for the inspiring cast and crew that gave this movie their all. To have this recognised by the IFFM means a lot.”

Actress *Mrunal Thakur* says, “I am extremely happy to know that a film like Love Sonia is getting appreciations and winning awards, I always wanted my film to be such where it leaves an impact on audiences hearts and they take home a message. I really appreciate the team’s effort and glad that Tabrez’s efforts are being recognized as its his dream project.”

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Co-Producer *Amar Butala* expressed, “Love Sonia has made a great start in both London and Merlbourne. We hope the film finds the same love as it makes it back home to India.”

Executive Producer *Pravesh Sahani* said, “Love Sonia has been Tabrez’s dream and we are so glad it has turned into a reality. As Tabrez’s partner and producer I feel very fortunate that I have been a part of this journey. Hope Love Sonia can bring light to the issue of sex trafficking. I am really proud of this movie and extremely happy for Tabrez.”

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After watching Love Sonia at IFFM 2018 filmmaker *Rajkumar Hirani* expressed, “The most disturbing film I have ever seen in life and I am saying it in a good way. It requires tremendous courage and empathy to do this, Big salute to the entire team of Love Sonia.”

After watching Love Sonia Actor *Vicky Kaushal* shared, “Stunned and shocked and so moved after watching Love Sonia. Every moment, every performance is as real as it can get. Kudos to Director Tabrez Noorani for his brilliant research and direction and to each and every actor in the film for their performance.”

The film which is a hard-hitting story of a 17 year old girl who risks her life to rescue her sister from the sex trade is shot in India, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

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The film has a strong ensemble cast including Freida Pinto, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao, Richa Chadha, Anupam Kher, Adil Hussain, Sai Tamhankar, Sunny Parwar, Demi Moore, Mark Duplass, Noorani is introducing Mrunal Thakur as the lead character, as well as Riya Sisodiya.

Love Sonia is scheduled to release in India in September.