From Aamir Khan’s flag-hoisting to Homebound’s triumph, Melbourne celebrated Indian cinema with power, pride, and inclusivity.

The curtain has closed on the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, a ten-day celebration that once again positioned Indian cinema at the heart of Australia’s cultural landscape. With more than 75 films spanning languages, genres, and communities, the festival combined glamour, storytelling, and social impact in equal measure.

An Opening with Star Power
The festival opened on August 14 with a glittering press conference featuring Aamir Khan, Vir Das, Tillotama Shome, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shoojit Sircar, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, R.S. Prasanna, and Mukesh Chhabra.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange AM hailed this year’s line-up as “an exciting blend of creativity, diversity, and cinematic excellence”, headlined by Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox), directed by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi. The film, which premiered at Berlin, opened the festival with its tale of resilience and love in a Kolkata suburb, earning praise for its emotional depth and cross-cultural resonance.
Adding prestige to the event, Aamir Khan inaugurated the festival by lighting a ceremonial lamp, later hoisting the Indian national flag at Federation Square on Independence Day. Calling IFFM “a great initiative of cinema that brings people and cultures together”, Khan was also honoured with the festival’s Excellence in Cinema Award.

Films, Inclusivity, and Cultural Bridges
This year’s festival underlined its vision as a cultural bridge. Nearly 75 films were showcased, tackling themes of gender, race, sexuality, disability, and women’s representation.
A standout was the LGBTQ+ Pride Night on August 22, celebrating queer cinema and South Asian identity. IFFM also paid tribute to legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak on his centenary, honouring his enduring influence on Indian storytelling.

Highlights Beyond the Screen
IFFM wasn’t only about films—it was about moments. Actor Jaideep Ahlawat set the stage alight with an impromptu Bhangra performance during the Remitly IFFM Dance Competition, alongside Malaika Arora and Mukesh Chhabra, prompting cheers of “once more” from the crowd. Ahlawat also bagged Best Actor (Male, Series) for Paatal Lok Season 2.
Vir Das, honoured with the Disruptor Award, reflected on Indian comedy’s global future, quipping that success to him means “free biscuits.”
Meanwhile, Arvind Swamy, who received the Leadership in Cinema Award, recalled missing the release of his landmark film Roja while studying overseas, and reflected on his lifelong preference for meaningful stories over commercial choices.
Malaika Arora, who turned 51 this year, also drew attention with her philosophy of “own it” — showing up authentically without filters — embodying the glamour and individuality that has defined her career.

Awards Night Shines Bright
The IFFM Awards Night on August 15 was a glittering affair at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Key winners included:
•    Homebound – Best Film & Best Director (Neeraj Ghaywan)
•    Aamir Khan – Excellence in Cinema Award
•    Arvind Swami – Leadership in Cinema Award
•    Abhishek Bachchan – Best Actor (Male) for I Want To Talk
•    Geetha Kailasam – Best Actor (Female) for Angammal
•    Nimisha Sajayan – Best Actor (Female, Series) for Dabba Cartel
•    Jaideep Ahlawat – Best Actor (Male, Series) for Paatal Lok Season 2
•    Vipin Radhakrishnan’s Angammal – Best Indie Film
•    Baksho Bondi – Equality in Cinema Award
The night was filled with emotional speeches, including Abhishek Bachchan’s heartfelt reflection on his father and daughter, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s moving words on inclusivity and diversity.

A Triumphant Finale
The festival concluded with Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, which was screened twice due to overwhelming demand. The film, produced under Dharma Productions, received a standing ovation, and went on to win both Best Film and Best Director.
Ghaywan called the moment “extremely special… to be in a room full of such diverse people feels truly incredible.”

IFFM’s Lasting Impact
From the emotional opening of Baksho Bondi to the rousing finale of Homebound, IFFM 2025 reaffirmed its role as a global platform for Indian cinema. More than a film festival, it was a celebration of culture, inclusivity, and connection, proving once again that cinema is a universal language that can unite communities across continents.
Celebrate the magic. Celebrate the culture. Celebrate cinema.

G’Day India