Pranav Birje| The News Bulletins
The 16th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) began on a high note as Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan officially inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp — a gesture steeped in Indian tradition and symbolism. The actor, honoring the customs and traditions of his homeland India on an international soil, respectfully removed his shoes before lighting the ceremonial lamp. This ritual marked not just the commencement of an extraordinary cinematic celebration, but also underscored the deep cultural ties between India and Australia.
The opening night was further elevated as Aamir Khan introduced the festival’s much-anticipated Opening Night Film Baksho Bondi, in the presence of its celebrated cast and crew, including acclaimed actors Tillotama Shome and Jim Sarbh — who also serves as the film’s producer. The audience was treated to a spirited atmosphere as filmmakers, artists, and cinephiles came together to set the tone for the eleven day cultural extravaganza running from 14 to 24 August.
Speaking at the inauguration, Aamir Khan shared his heartfelt thoughts, “It is truly an honour to open the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It’s great here to be here celebrating cinema that brings us all together. I have been meaning to come here for the longest time and I’m glad i could finally make it. All my colleagues always spoke highly of the warmth of IFFM and i can now truly feel it coming my way. I wish the team of Baksho Bondi and all other films at the festival, all the very best and i Hope the Melbourne audiences enjoy these films and cinema”.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange expressed her pride in hosting such a landmark opening, “Having Aamir Khan inaugurate IFFM 2025 is an immense honour for us. Baksho Bondi is the perfect Opening Night Film — it’s bold, it’s moving, and it showcases the kind of storytelling we love to champion. Seeing talents like Tillotama Shome, Jim Sarbh, Tanushree Das here in Melbourne is a testament to how far Indian cinema has reached. This year’s festival is about celebrating that reach, and about using cinema as a Pway to connect hearts across continents.”
With an exciting line-up of screenings, masterclasses, and cultural showcases, IFFM 2025 promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet, offering a dynamic platform for Indian and global cinema to shine on Australian soil.