"My family comes the from Weaver family, the Weaver Caste, and unfortunately they call us outcasts, untouchable," says Mr Makwana, who wrote and directed The Colour of Darkness, a film that explores how discrimination transcends borders.
Caste discrimination has been making headlines recently, as members of India's "low-caste" community conduct rallies against the banned but deep-rooted system that brands them as outsiders.
Girish says that his film ‘The Colour of Darkness’ is all about “the colour, depth and mystery of India's complex and riotous cultural heritage is brought to light in a single action which changes two countries forever.”
His film focuses on the caste issue in India and 2009-10 racist/opportunist attacks on Indian students in Melbourne.
Girish says “a proud Indian international student who is attacked in a brightly lit train carriage against a backdrop of darkness. Unknown to his attackers his high caste status has little relevance, and in one poignant moment, he is rescued by his counterpart, an 'untouchable', a low caste. They are united by what would otherwise be impossible.”
Australian actress Vidya Makan played the role of Maria in the film. Maria is an Australian-born journalist reporting on the 2010 student attacks.
She's taken on a journey through India's dark social history via the laneways of Melbourne.
Ms Makan, who was born in Australia to Indian parents, says playing the role of Maria made her question her own identity.
Ms Makan says she witnessed discrimination towards low-income Indian International students while filming in Australia.
Mr Makwana hopes to take the film overseas, with plans to screen throughout Australia, India and around the world.
