MUMBAI: Late filmmaker Yash Chopra will be honoured with the title of the ‘Father of Contemporary Indian Cinema’ at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne commencing on May 3, 2013.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne celebrating 100 years of cinema is set to pay a tribute to Yash Chopra who always supported the festival. The Victorian Government will bestow an honorary title of ‘Father of Contemporary Indian Cinema.’

Pamela Chopra, wife of late Yash Chopra said, “Yashji had a close connection with the IFFM. He was happy to support it as he believed in promoting Indian films in foreign countries. I am grateful to the festival and the Victorian government for this honor and happy to travel to Melbourne to collect the same and keep the support and connection alive.”

Pamela Chopra will receive this prestigious title of behalf of her husband. During this festival, the Agora Cinema in Melbourne will be renamed as the Yash Chopra Cinema. This will be inaugurated by Pamela Chopra on May 6, 2013.

“We have been fortunate to enjoy the support and guidance of Yash Chopra. He had very strong ties with Victoria as well, having shot two films, ‘Salaam Namaste’ (2005) and ‘Chak De! India’ (2007) here. We all miss him very much and this is our small tribute to our much loved festival patron,” said Mitu Bhowmick Lange, the director of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

The festival will see guests like Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Prabhudeva, Farah Khan in attendance, among others. Vidya Balan, in fact, will return as ambassador.

The second Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will be held from May 3 – 22, 2013.