The Indian Film
Festival Melbourne Awards 2017 was a night filled with glitter, paparazzi,
amazing performances and celebrations. Held on the night of August 11, IFFM
2017 proved to be a star-studded gala event.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Hoists The Indian National Flag With Aaradhya
Amongst the crowd of film fanatics were present the who's who of Bollywood
including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who was was awarded with the Westpac IFFM
Excellence in Global Cinema Award. Aishwarya took to stage with daughter
Aaradhya to hoist the Indian National Flag. She became the first Indian women
to do so at the Melbourne Federation Square.
The IFFM will be true to its theme of celebrating diversity in cinema and these
13 days event will witness films screening, various master classes by eminent
filmmakers, awards nights, dance competitions, concerts, competition, and much
more. The IFFM Award winners were announced at a gala event on August 11 at the
iconic venue - Melbourne Recital Centre. The evening started with the
energising performance by the Kakkar sister- Akriti, Prakriti and Sukriti who
performed together for the first time in Australia.
Dangal and Bahubali 2 stole the show at IFFM 2017 with galore of awards. The
list of the winners at Westpac IFFM include:
Posters Of Baahubali 2 And Dangal
- Best Indie Film : Lipstick Under My Burkha
- Best Director : Nitesh Tiwari for Dangal
- Equality in Cinema Award: Director/Actor Rahul Bose for Poorna
- Best Actress : Konkona Sen Sharma for Lipstick Under my Burkha
- Best Actor : Sushant Singh Rajput for Dhoni
- Best Actor (Special Mention) : Raj Kumar Rao for Trapped
- Best Film : Pink
- People’s Choice Award : Dangal & Bahubali 2
- The inaugural Equality Award was given to Rahul Bose for Poorna
- Karan Johar was awarded the Leadership in Cinema Award at this prestigious
festival and he presented the IFFM Diversity Award to Garth Davis, director of
the Academy nominated film LION.
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was awarded with the Westpac IFFM Excellence in Global
Cinema award, presented by The Victorian Premier
Speaking about
her win, a delighted Aishwarya said, "I'm so humbled and filed with
gratitude to be given this award. We as creative people always wish to do more
and I'm far far away from resting. As an artist I have so much more to explore
but it's great to have this honour. But above all I must thank the fans, who
have loved me so immensely and it's because of you we get to live our dream,
our passion ".
Little Aaradhya Salutes To The Indian National Flag
Winner of Popular Choice and Best Director, Nitesh Tiwari said, "This is
my international award and it will truly be remembered".
Expressing his
happiness to receive the award, Sushant Singh Rajput said, "Thank you so so
much. I'm so honoured. Last time I was in Melbourne it was in 2006 was the
Commonwealth Games where I was a backup dancer for the so so beautiful
Bollywood stars and this time I'm here to receive the Best Actor Award."
In his true style, Karan took to stage to receive the award from Simi Garewal
and expressed, "This is my first time in Australia and what a special
reason to be present here for it. For me filmmaking is always my first love.
It's amazing how as directors we get to build people, break them emotionally,
cheer them and make them feel happy".
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan And Aaradhya Pose For A Pic
The star studded gala event also witnessed the attendance of veteran actress
Simi Grewal, Malaika Arora, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Shoojit Sircar among others.
The celebrations at the festival aren't just over yet and the Indian Film
Festival of Melbourne will continue to run untilAugust 22.
Image Source: Instagram/rajeevmasand