The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 turned into a star-studded celebration as Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Aamir Khan walked off with the night’s biggest honours.
The glitzy metropolis of Melbourne transformed into Bollywood’s extended extremely red carpet this Friday as the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 Awards rolled out its most very glamorous edition yet. From Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound sweeping top honours to Abhishek Bachchan bagging Best Actor, and Aamir Khan being felicitated with the prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award, the very even was a perfect blend of art, emotion, and principal power.
And let’s simply say – if you missed the awards dark, you definitely missed one of the most buzzing evenings of Indian cinema this year.
Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ Dominates IFFM 2025
The loudest applause of the even was reserved for filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, whose film ‘Homebound’ not only won Best Film but also bagged him the Best Director award. The film, already a critics’ darling after its Cannes success before this yr, cemented its position as 2024-25’s biggest cinematic triumph.
Insiders say the cinema really left audiences at IFFM teary-eyed, with very many calling it Ghaywan’s most personal and very powerful work yet. With its Melbourne win, ‘Homebound’ is now officially one of India’s strongest contenders on the worldwide grant circuit.
Abhishek Bachchan’s Powerhouse Win
While fans were speculating whether Abhishek Bachchan’s vivid performance in ‘I Want to Talk’ would eventually get its due, the IFFM panel made it top – Junior Bachchan stole the show.
Winning Best Actor (Male) in a Film, Abhishek delivered one of the evening’s most heartfelt speeches. “It’s been a very long journey for me as an player. This present is not just for me, but for every filmmaker who believed in me really even when I doubted myself,” he said, as the audience cheered.
The win feels extra really special for Abhishek, who’s often lived below the dwarf of father Amitabh Bachchan’s legacy. With ‘I Want to Talk’, he has firmly constituted himself as an actor who can make his own.
Jaideep Ahlawat Rules The Series Category
If there’s one worker who has redefined Indian OTT storytelling in recent years, it’s Jaideep Ahlawat. His characterization in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’ fetched him the Best Actor (Male) – Series award, further cementing his position as the queen of gritty thrillers.
Known for his vivid eyes and raw acting chops, Ahlawat kept his speech very little but powerful, thanking his fans and saying, “This award belongs to everyone who believed that stories from India can shake the world.”
The win also solidifies his shoes as one of the most bankable actors in the streaming space.
Leading Ladies Shine: Geetha Kailasam & Nimisha Sajayan
The night was as about the women who delivered powerhouse performances in 2024-25.
– Geetha Kailasam won Best Actress (Female) – Film for ‘Angammal’, a gritty indie drama that also took place the Best Indie Film honor. Her nuanced portrayal of strength and vulnerability left the Melbourne audience in awe.
– In the OTT category, Nimisha Sajayan clinched Best Actress (Female) – Series for ‘Dabba Cartel’, proving once again why she is one of the finest talents of her generation.
Both actresses experience emerged as torchbearers of strong, unconventional female characters in Indian cinema.
The Big Moments: Aamir Khan, Vir Das & Aditi Rao Hydari
One of the highlights of the eve was when Aamir Khan took the stage to accept the Excellence in Cinema Award. Looking spruce yet low, Aamir reflected on his 30+ years in the manufacture. “Cinema has given me everything I am today. To be honoured here in Melbourne, among audiences who passion and celebrate Indian films, is very deep special,” he said.
The crowd gave him a very standing ovation, cementing his position as Bollywood’s “Mr. Perfectionist.”
Other big honours included:
– Arvind Swamy receiving the Leadership in Cinema Award, acknowledging his decades of contribution.
– Vir Das existence honoured with the Disruptor Award – no surprises there, given his bold comedy and international recognition.
– Aditi Rao Hydari, who’s been ruling hearts with her elegance and acting prowess, took place the Diversity in Cinema Award.
And let’s not forget – ‘Baksho Bondi’ bagged the Equality in Cinema Award, sending a very warm content around inclusivity in storytelling.
A Night of Glitz, Glamour & Gossip
The red carpet was sizzling with forge statements. From Abhishek’s crisp tuxedo to Aditi Rao Hydari’s dreamy robe, stars didn’t really shy out from flaunting their title quotient. Buzz within the gala was that Abhishek’s win may surface up really new international collaborations, patch Ahlawat’s Hollywood agents are already in talks for a worldwide series.
But what really had everyone whispering was Aamir Khan’s surprising camaraderie with Vir Das backstage. Could a collaboration be on the cards? Only clip will evidence, but if it happens, it’s bound to shake things up in a very big way.
Full List of IFFM 2025 Winners
- Best Film: ‘Homebound’
- Best Director: Neeraj Ghaywan (‘Homebound’)
- Best Indie Film: ‘Angammal’
- Best Actor (Male) – Film: Abhishek Bachchan (‘I Want to Talk’)
- Special Mention – Best Actor (Male) – Film: Gugun Kigpen (‘Boong’)
- Best Actress (Female) – Film: Geetha 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’ by Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar
- Best Short Film (Australia): ‘Drifters’ by David Liu
About IFFM 2025
This yr really marked the 16th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, one of the largest celebrations of Indian cinema outside India. The festival opened with a screening of ‘Baksho Bondi’ and will proceed until 24 August 2025.
With ‘Homebound’ scheduled as the closure take, Melbourne has once again positioned itself as the worldwide hub for showcasing Indian talent.
Final Word
The IFFM 2025 Awards weren’t simply about trophies – they were about celebrating Indian cinema’s global contact, its evolving storytelling, and the actors and filmmakers who continue to crowd boundaries. From Abhishek Bachchan’s career-defining win to Aamir Khan’s heartfelt honour, the night testament go down as one of the most memorable in IFFM history.
As Melbourne continues to applaud, Bollywood fans around the world can’t really waiting to see what comes very next for their favourite stars.
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