Perth's Desi scene steps up: Indian Film Council launches and Sauma earns acclaim for modern Indian cooking
Perth cemented its growing relationship with India this year through two distinct channels: the formal launch of a new industry body dedicated to building creative ties between Western Australia and India's booming screen sector, and a glowing review for a modern Indian bar and restaurant that is redefining how Perth experiences Indian cuisine. Together, these developments signal the South Asian community's deepening cultural and commercial footprint in the city.
West Australian Indian Film Council Launches to Bridge Perth and India's Screen Industries
The West Australian Indian Film Council was officially launched in Perth on Friday, September 11, by Western Australia Premier Roger Cook MLA, establishing a new independent not-for-profit body dedicated to building long-term connections between Western Australia and India's expansive screen and creative industries. The Council, chaired by Nilesh Makwana, was conceived around a clear proposition: that Western Australia occupies a unique geographic and cultural position to serve as a gateway between Australia and India and the wider Indian Ocean region. Perth is geographically closer to Mumbai than Sydney, giving the state a distinctive advantage in fostering creative collaboration. The launch brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, screen industry professionals, business leaders, and community members to explore opportunities in storytelling, co-production, and cultural exchange. WAIFC plans to connect Western Australian and Indian producers and filmmakers, support industry delegations and networking, and showcase WA's screen capabilities internationally. The Council noted that the relationship between Western Australia and Indian cinema stretches back more than a century: Fearless Nadia, one of the pioneering stars of Indian cinema, was born Mary Ann Evans in Perth in 1908 before moving to India as a child, where she became an iconic figure in Indian film. The Council aims to build on that long history through practical collaboration across film, television, streaming, animation, digital content, festivals, education, talent exchange, and investment. [2]
🍛 Sauma Named a Standout Perth Venue for Modern Indian Cuisine Beyond the Familiar
A Perth restaurant called Sauma has earned high praise from food writers as a destination that showcases Indian cuisine well beyond familiar standards. WAtoday reviewer Max Veenhuyzen described Sauma as a modern Indian bar and restaurant that is approachable and adventurous, fun yet focused, and declared it a place that showcases Indian food at its very best. The review, published in July 2026, positions Sauma as a contemporary dining destination that takes the full range of Indian culinary tradition seriously while presenting it in a format that is accessible to a broad Perth audience. The headline framing — beyond butter chicken — signals that the restaurant's ambition extends past the standard dishes that define most suburban Indian restaurants in Australia. Among the dishes the review highlighted is a tandoor-roasted chicken thigh bathed in a high-toned sauce of mint and green chilli, which the reviewer suggests may restore diners' faith in chicken tikka as a dish worth seeking out. Sauma's positive reception signals a growing appetite in Perth for sophisticated Indian cooking that uses traditional techniques and bold flavours while presenting them in a more dynamic, bar-and-dining-room format. The restaurant's approach reflects a wider shift across Australian cities, where Indian food is increasingly being championed by a new wave of chefs who want to move the cuisine into more ambitious territory. [5]
Sources: [2] thecurb.com.au · [5] WAtoday