More than a meal | Nandita Chakraborty's 'Shared Table: Regional Heroes'

Nandita Chakraborty’s documentary Shared Table: Regional Heroes, which had its world premiere at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), follows a group of filmmakers as they journey through Victoria, Australia, interviewing “heroes” of the migrant communities. Through food, memory and conversation, the film explores how migrants preserve their cultural roots while building new lives far from home.

“Food is one of the most powerful expressions of identity. Long after people leave their homeland, they continue to carry recipes, traditions and memories with them. Around a dining table, stories unfold in ways they often don’t during a formal interview,” says Nandita. “As a migrant myself, I understand that food is much more than nourishment. It is comfort, memory, family and belonging. I wanted to use the shared table as a universal language that connects people.”

Born in Kolkata and now based in Melbourne, Chakraborty has built a career telling stories of migration, belonging and resilience. Her life took an unexpected turn in 2011 when a rock-climbing accident left her with a traumatic brain injury and permanent cognitive disability. During her long rehabilitation, writing became a form of healing, eventually opening the door to filmmaking.

Drawn to stories that create empathy and inspire meaningful conversations, she wants to continue telling stories that give voice to people whose experiences are often overlooked. “For me, filmmaking has never been just about entertainment. It is about building understanding between communities,” she concludes.