Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne 2026 Announces Winners: Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal take top honours

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The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 has unveiled its winners, recognising a wide range of films, filmmakers, actors and storytellers from India and across the subcontinent. The awards celebrated diverse cinematic voices, notable performances and stories reflecting the changing landscape of Indian cinema.

Among the leading names honoured this year were Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra won Best Film, while The Great Shamshuddin Family received a Special Mention in the category. Rima Das’ Not a Hero was named Best Indie Film, with Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia) receiving a Special Mention in the Indie Film category.

Rishab Shetty emerged as one of the evening’s major winners. He received the Best Director award for Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 and was also honoured with the Leadership in Cinema award for his contribution to contemporary Indian filmmaking and storytelling rooted in cultural identity.

Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor for Kaantha, while Kirti Kulhari received Best Actress for Full Plate. Shahrbanoo Sadat’s No Good Men was named Best Film from the Subcontinent, and Madhushree Dutta’s Flying Tigers won Best Documentary Film.

The People’s Choice Award went to Saiyaara, while Sitaare Zameen Par received the Equality in Cinema Award, presented by La Trobe. Simran Mangeshkar received a Special Mention for her work on the film.

The festival also recognised diverse storytelling through the Rainbow Storyteller Award, presented to Lala and Poppy. In the Short Film Competitions, The Weight of Soil won in Australia, while Jo’s Turn emerged as the Indian winner.

The streaming categories saw Vijay Varma win Best Actor (Series) for Matka King, while Rasika Dugal was named Best Actress (Series) for Delhi Crime 3. Freedom At Midnight, Season 2 won Best Series.

Beyond the competitive categories, Pankaj Tripathi received the Artist of Distinction honour. IFFM also marked Rani Mukerji’s 30 years in cinema with a special recognition. Veteran actor Rekha was presented with the Excellence in Cinema award for her decades-long contribution to Indian cinema.

The 2026 edition once again highlighted the range of Indian storytelling, bringing together mainstream films, independent cinema, documentaries, short films and streaming projects. Through its focus on cinema, diversity, equality and cultural exchange, IFFM continues to offer an international platform for filmmakers and artists from India and the subcontinent.

IFFM 2026 Winners

- Best Film: Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra

- Best Film – Special Mention: The Great Shamshuddin Family

- Best Indie Film: Not a Hero – Rima Das

- Special Mention – Indie Film: Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia)

- Best Director: Rishab Shetty – Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1

- Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan – Kaantha

- Best Actress: Kirti Kulhari – Full Plate

- Best Film from the Subcontinent: No Good Men – Shahrbanoo Sadat

- Best Documentary Film: Flying Tigers – Madhushree Dutta

- People’s Choice Award: Saiyaara

- Equality in Cinema Award, presented by La Trobe: Sitaare Zameen Par

- Special Mention – Equality in Cinema: Simran Mangeshkar – Sitaare Zameen Par

- Rainbow Storyteller Award: Lala and Poppy

- Short Film Competition (Australia): The Weight of Soil

- Short Film Competition (India): Jo’s Turn

- Best Actor (Series): Vijay Varma – Matka King

- Best Actress (Series): Rasika Dugal – Delhi Crime 3

- Best Series: Freedom At Midnight, Season 2

- Artist of Distinction: Pankaj Tripathi

- Special Recognition: 30 Years of Rani Mukerji

- Leadership in Cinema: Rishab Shetty

- Excellence in Cinema: Rekha

Rani Mukerji honoured at IFFM with special citation for acting excellence: “Success is the love that remains… year after year and only grows with time"

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Rani Mukerji was honoured at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) with a special citation recognising her excellence in acting. The honour marks her three-decade journey in Indian cinema and acknowledges the lasting connection she has built with audiences in India and around the world.

Mukerji became emotional while reflecting on her 30 years in the film industry and the affection she has continued to receive from audiences. Speaking at the festival, she described the journey as one filled with memories, dreams, achievements, setbacks and, above all, love.

“Thirty years! When I say those words out loud, they don’t feel like a number. They feel like a lifetime of memories… of dreams, of victories, of people, of failures and above all, of love,” she said.

The actress also spoke about how she defines success, stressing that for her, it is not simply about professional achievements but the love that remains with an artist over the years. “Success is the love that remains… year after year and only grows with time … that’s the only kind of success I have strived for,” Mukerji said.

Reflecting on her international journey, she recalled how she never imagined that the characters she portrayed early in her career would eventually connect with audiences beyond India. She acknowledged the warmth she has received from audiences in Australia and spoke about the reach of Indian cinema across borders.

“When I entered the Indian film industry as a young girl, I never imagined that one day my films and the characters that I have been fortunate enough to play, would take me across oceans … and that people in a beautiful country like Australia would embrace me with so much warmth,” she added.

Rani further highlighted the importance of audiences in completing an actor’s work. “As actors, we perform in front of a camera. But the real story begins only when that performance reaches someone’s heart,” she said.

The IFFM citation recognises Mukerji’s three-decade career, marked by successful films and memorable characters that continue to find new audiences across generations and countries.

Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Adnan Sami reveals Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Rani Mukerji, Raveena Tandon and others featured in his music videos for FREE: “Not one of them charged a penny”

Malamaal Weekly 2 EXCLUSIVE: Riteish Deshmukh, Elvish Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav locked in leads, shoot begins in November

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In February, Bollywood Hungama exclusively revealed that Priyadarshan’s 2006 comedy Malamaal Weekly is getting a sequel. Since then, we have been regularly updating about the film and we recently also unveiled the leading female cast, which includes Parineeti Chopra, Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shirodkar. Now, we can reveal the male leads of the project.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Riteish Deshmukh, Elvish Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav have been locked for Malamaal Weekly 2. Though Riteish is leading the film, sources close to the production have said that he is still reading the script and is yet to sign on the dotted line. The sequel is moving ahead with the original trio of Riteish, Paresh and Rajpal returning for the leads, along with Elvish Yadav joining as a new casting addition to the principal cast. Yadav is a popular YouTube content creator and the winner of Big Boss OTT Season 2 (2023), and this film will mark his second Bollywood outing following his debut with Tiger Shroff and Remo D'Souza's upcoming action drama. All the actors have verbally been confirmed, with the formal paperwork currently underway.

Malamaal Weekly 2 will feature a completely new storyline. However, it will retain the core thematic flavour of the original — a group of ordinary people in a small town, driven by poverty, greed and the prospect of sudden wealth, finding themselves caught in an increasingly chaotic situation. Amit Joshi, who co-directed Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon's robotic rom-com Teri Baton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, has been brought on board to helm this film. He's currently fine-tuning the script, with plans to take it into production by November 2026.

Released in 2006, Malamaal Weekly was a box office success and was remade in three Southern languages, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, with Priyadarshan himself directing the Malayalam adaptation. The comedy revolved around Lilaram, a lottery ticket seller and the only literate villager. After one of his customers dies from the shock of winning a lottery, he hatches a plan to have that money all for himself. However, others from the village have also got their eyes on the money, leading to chaotic greed and comedic rivalry among the villagers. Malamaal Weekly 2 is expected to retain the comic spirit of the original while delivering a full-fledged comedy of errors for audiences.

Also Read: MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Raveena Tandon and Parineeti Chopra join the cast of Malamaal Weekly 2

Nitish Sharma on being rejected as Lakshman in Ramayana; says, “It was clear there would be big stars”

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For newcomer Nitish Sharma, his journey to Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana took an unexpected turn. After facing several rejections and being replaced in a major film, Sharma auditioned for the role of Lakshman. Although he did not eventually get the part, his performance impressed the filmmaker, who offered him the role of Shatrughn in the epic.

In an exclusive conversation with Mid-Day, Nitish opened up about his journey, working with Ranbir Kapoor and the criticism surrounding the film’s casting. Recalling the difficult phase that eventually led him to Ramayana, Nitish said that he had gone through hundreds of auditions before finally landing a major role in a big film in 2023. However, he was later replaced by a senior actor. The setback left him disappointed, but he found comfort in reading the Ramcharitmanas.

“I was trying to find peace by reading the sacred book. When I was reading the Bharat Milap scene, I received a call from Mukesh Chhabra's office saying that Nitesh Tiwari was making a pilot film of Ramayana and they wanted to test me for Lakshman. So I did,” he recalled.

During the audition, Nitish was asked to perform scenes as Lakshman before Nitesh Tiwari asked him to play Ram. His performance impressed the director, who assured him that he would be part of the main film. Nitish was eventually cast as Shatrughn, while Lakshman is being played by Ravie Dubey.

Explaining why he was not selected as Lakshman, Nitish said, “For the actual film, it was clear that in every character there would be big stars. And in such a big-scale movie, there are many things involved. But I have zero complaints about it.”

Nitish also spoke about his experience of working with Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram. He praised the actor’s humility and professionalism, particularly the way he continued giving cues to co-stars even after finishing his own scenes.

“Whenever we were shooting together, the way he gave all the cues to me, even when his scene was over, was amazing. He always gives his cues by himself to every actor, no matter if it is 10 times, 12 times or 15 times. He treats everyone with humility,” he said.

Addressing criticism of Ranbir’s casting, Nitish said, “It is actually very sad that people judge someone by just one look. Ranbir is the greatest actor we have in this industry right now. After watching the movie, I am telling you, they will praise Ranbir as Ram. No one could have done it better than RK.”

He also defended Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, amid criticism of her appearance and casting. “Sai, she looks divine in real life. She is the best casting for Sita. There are many trolls about her as well. But that is how a 99 per cent Indian beauty looks like,” he said.

Nitish remains confident that Ramayana will connect strongly with audiences. “I am very sure that Ramayana will create magic once again, just like it did in 1987 with Ramanand Sagar,” he concluded.

Also Read : BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE footage of Ramayana to be screened at Big Cine Expo 2026, Chennai; Rakesh Roshan to receive Special Achievement Award

Happy birthday Sara Ali Khan: 5 Fashion moments that define her evolving style

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As Sara Ali Khan celebrates her birthday, it is the perfect moment to revisit the sartorial choices that continue to define her fashion identity. She carries a poise, a refined synthesis of classic lineage and a sharp contemporary focus. In her recent style choices, Khan moves beyond traditional fashion tropes, embracing structural silhouettes, precise proportions and an intentional balance between restraint and high-octane glamour. Across five defining looks, her wardrobe emerges as a masterclass in modern sartorial authority, seamlessly transitioning from cool architectural minimalism to fiery, tailored statements.

Diana’s Revenge Dress Constructed with an off-the-shoulder, structured boat neckline, this architectural gown features short capped sleeves resting just below the collarbone, revealing an exposed neck and shoulder line. The fitted bodice extends past the hip into a draped peplum accent before falling into an asymmetrical high-low hemline that flows into a subtle rear train, all rendered in an ink-black satin weave. The strength lies in the interplay between structured weight and liquid movement; by pairing the heavy satin frame with a statement diamond-and-sapphire choker, pointed black pumps, and a sleek low-slung chignon, the ensemble creates a strong vertical line that echoes classic European high-fashion codes.

 

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Sculpted Monochromatic Layering A three-piece tailored study in warm ivory, cream, and champagne nude accents, featuring a high, mandarin-collar jacket worn open over a textured high-neck top constructed with horizontal sheer and pearl-beaded striping. The sleeveless inner turtleneck offers coverage up to the chin, counterbalanced by a fitted, high-waisted mini skirt and long, slim-cut sleeves on the outerwear to complete the clean geometric lines. Monochrome works best when textures collide, and here, the soft weave of the outer jacket plays against the linear, pearl-encrusted inner mesh, while pointed embellished heels and a high ponytail elongate the frame for an effortless, sharp aesthetic.

 

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Modern Noir & Drapery A floor-length column gown defined by a draped cowl high neckline and sheer mesh short sleeves, finished in a matte black canvas with pops of silver and a muted blue watch strap. The top bodice combines delicate, semi-transparent paneling with draped jersey fabric that gathers tightly around the waist, falling into a straight, fluid floor-length skirt. The contrast between sheer technical mesh and soft, heavy draping creates an intriguing tactile balance, while keeping the neckline high and the silhouette extended down to the floor allows the texture play on the torso to take center stage alongside an undone updo and subtle drop earrings.

 

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Striated Crimson Tailoring A strapless, wide-leg jumpsuit engineered with a structured sweetheart neckline and built-in boning through the bodice, set in a deep crimson red with fine vertical white pinstripes. The sleeveless cut leaves the shoulders bare, balancing the dramatic volume of the relaxed, wide-leg trousers that sweep down over strappy sandals. Pinstripes are traditionally anchored in menswear, but applying them to a strapless, sweetheart-neck jumpsuit reclaims the motif with a feminine edge, where vertical lines elongate the body while a bold red backdrop matched with classic red lip and gold statement wristwear injects high-energy confidence into a precision-tailored silhouette.

 

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The Imperial Power Suit A tailored suit crafted in crisp polar white accented with polished gold hardware, featuring wide, sharp peak lapels and a deep V-neckline. The structural blazer showcases structured shoulders and full-length fitted sleeves anchored by six gold crest buttons, paired alongside mid-rise, wide-leg trousers tailored with a sharp center crease and a substantial hem fold. Tailoring in all-white demands precise execution, and this suit delivers as the fitted cut draws inward at the waist to emphasize structure while the flared trousers balance the broadness of the shoulder pads, elevated by gold buttons and matching metallic heels for effortless red-carpet presence.

 

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Sara Ali Khan’s wardrobe demonstrates high fashion impact. Whether adapting classic floor-length gowns or sharply cut power suits, her wardrobe proves that true sartorial authority doesn't require over-styling just impeccably tailored lines, confident proportions, and a clear understanding of personal presence.

Also Read: Sara Ali Khan continues her Delhi tradition with visit to Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

Priyanka Chopra Jonas seeks blessings at Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai with sister Mannara Chopra

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Priyanka Chopra is currently in India with her daughter Malti Marie as she spends time with her family. During her stay in Mumbai, the actor visited the city's famous Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings. She was accompanied by her sister Mannara Chopra, while Malti did not join them for the temple visit.

Priyanka was spotted outside the Siddhivinayak Temple dressed in a traditional pink salwar suit with a blue dupatta. Keeping her look simple, the actor made her way through the premises amid tight security. A number of fans had gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the actor. Before leaving, Priyanka waved to the crowd and then got into her car.

 

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The actor has frequently visited religious places during her trips to India. On one of her recent visits, she was seen at a Durga Puja pandal. During an earlier trip, Priyanka made headlines after performing seva and washing utensils at the Golden Temple. She also visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti, where the family sought blessings.

Priyanka's latest India visit also comes at a time when there is considerable anticipation around her upcoming projects. She will next be seen in SS Rajamouli's much-awaited film Varanasi, which also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The makers recently unveiled Priyanka's look as Mandakini along with a behind-the-scenes glimpse on the occasion of her 44th birthday. Mahesh Babu's character Rudhra was also introduced on his birthday. Varanasi is scheduled to release on April 7, 2027.

Meanwhile, Priyanka has also joined Oscar winner Russell Crowe for the sci-fi action thriller Bluefly. Directed by Nimrod Antal, the film revolves around a covert mission in the Congo following the discovery of a mysterious crashed aircraft. Priyanka announced her association with the project on Instagram on Thursday with a brief message: “On to the next.”

Also Read : Mahesh Babu thanks fans on birthday; says Varanasi is ‘very close to his heart’

Sidharth Malhotra calls raising daughter Saraayah the ‘most amazing experience’ of his life: “I hope this wonderful relationship only flourishes”

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Sidharth Malhotra has opened up about his experience of fatherhood, describing raising his daughter Saraayah as the “most amazing experience” of his life. The actor revealed that becoming a parent has brought a new sense of meaning, value and learning to his life, while also changing the way he looks at his priorities.

Sidharth spoke about fatherhood at the IAA Leadership Awards 2026, where he was honoured with the Brand Endorser of the Year award. The Shershaah actor and his wife, actress Kiara Advani, welcomed their daughter Saraayah in July last year. Their daughter recently turned one, marking an important milestone for the couple.

Reflecting on the experience, Sidharth said, “We have been fortunate enough to be the parents of a young baby girl, who just turned one year old last month. It's been the most amazing experience of my life, and so many learnings.”

The actor also explained how watching his daughter grow has added a new dimension to his life. “It adds so much more content to your life; it adds so much more value to what you do in this world that we live in. It is very tough to describe,” he said.

Sidharth further shared that he and Saraayah are discovering each other as she grows and develops her own personality. “We are exploring each other every month, and I hope this wonderful relationship only flourishes, and I get to learn so much from my little daughter,” he added.

Talking about his approach to parenting, Sidharth compared raising a child to nurturing a plant. “I am trying to be a good gardener so she can flourish into a wonderful human being,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sidharth continues to balance fatherhood with his busy professional schedule. He will next be seen in The Vvaan, co-starring Tamannaah Bhatia. The film, earlier scheduled for August 28, has been postponed to September to avoid a box-office clash with Yash-starrer Toxic. The Vvaan is now scheduled to release in theatres on September 25, 2026.

Also Read : The Vvaan: Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia starrer locks September 25, 2026 release; makers unveil intriguing new poster