She asks hard questions about justice ahead of Melbourne debut
Huma Qureshi can’t wait for the world to meet Bayaan. The Hindi police procedural is set for its Australian premiere at the 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and Qureshi calls it one of the toughest, most rewarding roles of her career.
Written and directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, Bayaan puts Qureshi in the shoes of Roohi — a rookie cop staring down her first major case. Her target: a powerful cult leader accused of sexual abuse. What follows is a tense climb through institutional pushback, silent witnesses and the messy reality of chasing justice.
“Roohi stands her ground when everything’s stacked against her,” Qureshi says. “Playing her pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. This isn’t just a gripping investigation, but it asks hard questions about power, truth and what justice really costs.”
For Qureshi, IFFM was the perfect stage. “The festival champions bold, meaningful cinema. I’m proud Bayaan is part of that line-up,” she says. “I hope people walk out talking, thinking and carrying the film with them long after it ends.”
