Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026 Winners Announced: Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, and Rekha Honoured
The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 has announced its official list of award winners, acknowledging performers, directors, and storytellers from India and the subcontinent across feature films, independent projects, documentaries, and streaming content.
What Happened
The festival revealed honours across competitive and honorary categories. Rishab Shetty took home significant accolades, winning Best Director for Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 as well as the Leadership in Cinema award. Acting honours in feature films went to Dulquer Salmaan (Best Actor for Kaantha) and Kirti Kulhari (Best Actress for Full Plate). In the feature film category, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra earned the Best Film award, with The Great Shamshuddin Family earning a Special Mention.
In digital streaming categories, Vijay Varma won Best Actor (Series) for Matka King, while Rasika Dugal secured Best Actress (Series) for Delhi Crime 3. The award for Best Series went to Freedom At Midnight, Season 2.
Key Highlights
- Best Film: Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (Special Mention: The Great Shamshuddin Family)
- Best Director: Rishab Shetty for Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1
- Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan for Kaantha
- Best Actress: Kirti Kulhari for Full Plate
- Best Indie Film: Not a Hero by Rima Das (Special Mention: Kikkran De Phull / Flowers of Acacia)
- Best Film from the Subcontinent: No Good Men by Shahrbanoo Sadat
- Best Documentary Film: Flying Tigers by Madhushree Dutta
- Streaming Honours: Best Actor (Series) to Vijay Varma (Matka King), Best Actress (Series) to Rasika Dugal (Delhi Crime 3), and Best Series to Freedom At Midnight, Season 2
- Special Recognitions: Rekha received the Excellence in Cinema award; Pankaj Tripathi was named Artist of Distinction; Rani Mukerji was honoured for 30 years in cinema; and Rishab Shetty received the Leadership in Cinema award.
- Other Awards: People’s Choice Award went to Saiyaara; Equality in Cinema Award went to Sitaare Zameen Par (with a Special Mention for Simran Mangeshkar); Rainbow Storyteller Award went to Lala and Poppy.
- Short Film Competitions: The Weight of Soil won the Australian competition, while Jo’s Turn won the Indian competition.
Why This Matters
The IFFM awards provide an international stage highlighting diverse formats of Indian and subcontinental cinema, bridging mainstream cinema, independent projects, documentaries, short films, and streaming series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the top acting honours at IFFM 2026?
Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor for Kaantha, and Kirti Kulhari won Best Actress for Full Plate. In the series categories, Vijay Varma won for Matka King and Rasika Dugal won for Delhi Crime 3.
What honorary awards were presented at IFFM 2026?
Veteran actor Rekha received the Excellence in Cinema award, Pankaj Tripathi was honoured as the Artist of Distinction, Rishab Shetty received the Leadership in Cinema award, and Rani Mukerji was recognised for completing 30 years in cinema.
Source: Bollywood Hungama