The Australian city of Melbourne just wrapped up a dazzling celebration of Indian cinema. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, which began on August 14, concluded with its much-anticipated awards ceremony. It was a star-studded night, and several talented artists took home top honors. Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan was named Best Actor, and director Neeraj Ghewan clinched the Best Director award.
The awards night saw many big names in attendance. Cheers filled the air as the winners were announced. Abhishek Bachchan, Neeraj Ghewan, Aamir Khan, and Jaideep Ahlawat were among the many stars honored. Let’s dive into who won what at this exciting event.
Abhishek Bachchan’s Emotional Win
Abhishek Bachchan earned the Best Actor award for his powerful role in the film ‘I Want To Talk’. Accepting the honor, he shared that it was a deeply emotional moment for him. He remembered being at the same festival three years ago. Winning this specific award for ‘I Want To Talk’ felt incredibly special to him. He also made sure to thank the film’s director, Shoojit Sircar, for his vision.
A Double Delight for Neeraj Ghewan
Director Neeraj Ghewan had an unforgettable evening. His film, ‘Homebound’, was honored with the Best Film award. On top of that, Ghewan himself was recognized as the Best Director for the same movie. This double victory clearly made the director incredibly happy. It was a well-deserved win for his work on ‘Homebound’.
More Big Wins and Special Honors
The awards celebrated many other brilliant contributions to cinema and series. Renowned actor Aamir Khan received the ‘Excellence in Cinema’ award. This honor recognized his outstanding work in films over the years. Actor Jaideep Ahlawat was also celebrated. He won the Best Actor (Series) award for his remarkable performance in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’. Actress Aditi Rao Hydari was presented with the ‘Diversity in Cinema’ award, acknowledging her varied roles.
Full List of Winners at IFFM 2025
- Best Film: Homebound
- Best Director: Neeraj Ghewan (Homebound)
- Best Independent Film: Angammal
- Best Actor (Male): Abhishek Bachchan (I Want To Talk)
- Special Mention – Best Actor (Male): Googoon Kipe (Boong)
- Best Actress (Female): Geeta Kailasam (Angammal)
- Best Series: Black Warrant
- Best Actor (Male) – Series: Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok Season 2)
- Best Actress (Female) – Series: Nimisha Sajayan (Dabba Cartel)
- Excellence in Cinema: Aamir Khan
- Leadership in Cinema: Arvind Swamy
- Disruptor Award: Vir Das
- Diversity in Cinema: Aditi Rao Hydari
- Equality in Cinema: Baksho Bondi
- Best Short Film (India): Kalar Pencils, Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar
- Best Short Film (Australia): Drifters, David Liu
