Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2023 nominations revealed: Darlings, Kantara, Agra, and more take the lead; check the list here

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) has announced the nominations for its highly anticipated 14th edition. As the largest Indian film festival outside of Indian soil, IFFM continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This year, the festival proudly welcomes a new addition to its esteemed jury panel, the Oscar-winning Australian filmmaker Bruce Beresford, renowned for directing acclaimed films such as Driving Miss Daisy and The Contract. 

IFFM is the only Indian film festival outside of the Indian soil that is backed by the government of another country and with that IFFM stands as a remarkable celebration of Indian cinema and cultural exchange. With its finger on the pulse of the industry, the festival has embraced the changing landscape of film consumption by introducing the OTT Awards in 2021. Now in its third year, the OTT Awards will honor outstanding achievements in three categories.

The IFFM advisory committee after meticulous consideration of hundreds of films and series from across Indian cinema, have finalized the nominations of films and series which have released between 1st June 20222 to 31st May 2023. Leading the pack in the film categories, including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress, are notable productions such as Darlings, Monica O My Darling, Ponniyin Selvan, and Kantara. These films have captivated audiences with their stellar performances, engaging storytelling, and artistic excellence. The nominations reflect the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, acknowledging the blockbusters and the indie gems on the same platform.

In the OTT category, series such as Trial By Fire, Jubilee, and Delhi Crime Season 2 have garnered the highest number of nominations. These exceptional series have made a significant impact with their compelling narratives, outstanding performances, and remarkable production values. For OTT nominations, only series on platforms which are available to be streamed in the Australian market have been considered.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has consistently pushed boundaries and showcased the best of Indian cinema to a global audience. With the support of its dedicated jury and industry professionals, the festival continues to champion innovation, creativity, cultural diversity and inclusivity.

Here is the complete list of nominees:

Best Film

Bhediya – Hindi

Brahmastra – Hindi

Darlings – Hindi

Jogi – Punjabi

Kantara – Kannada

Monica, O My Darling – Hindi

Pathaan – Hindi

Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2 – Tamil

Sita Ramam – Telugu

Best Indie Film

Aatma Pamphlet – Marathi

Agra – Hindi

All India Rank – Hindi

Family – Malayalam

Gulmohar – Hindi

Hadinelentu (Seventeeners) – Kannada

Joram – Hindi

Pine Cone – Hindi

The Storyteller – Hindi

Tora’s Husband – Assamese

Zwigato – Hindi

Best Director

Anant Mahadevan – The Storyteller

Anurag Kashyap – Kennedy

Ashish Avinash Bende – Aatma-Pamphlet (Autobio-Pamphlet)

Devashish Makhija – Joram

Don Palathara – Family

Kanu Behl – Agra

Mani Ratnam – Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2

Nandita Das – Zwigato

Prthivi Konanur – Hadinelentu (Seventeeners)

Rima Das – Tora’s Husband

Siddharth Anand – Pathaan

Vasan Bala – Monica, O My Darling

Best Actor (Male)

Dulquer Salmaan – Sita Ramam

Kapil Sharma – Zwigato

Manoj Bajpayee – Joram

Manoj Bajpayee – Gulmohar

Mohit Agarwal – Agra

Paresh Rawal – The Storyteller

Rajkummar Rao – Monica, O My Darling

Rishab Shetty – Kantara

Shah Rukh Khan – Pathaan

Vijay Varma – Darlings

Vikram – Ponnyin Selvan 1 and 2

Best Actor (Female)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2

Akshatha Pandavapura – Koli Esru

Alia Bhatt – Darlings

Bhumi Pednekar – Bheed

Kajol – Salaam Venky 

Mrunal Thakur – Sita Ramam

Neena Gupta – Vadh 

Rani Mukherjee – Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway

Sai Pallavi – Gargi

Sanya Malhotra – Kathal 

Best Series

Dahaad

Delhi Crime Season 2

Farzi

Jubilee

SHE Season 2

Suzhal: The Vortex

The Broken News

Trial By Fire

Best Actor (Male) –  Series

Abhay Deol – Trial By Fire

Abhishek Bachchan – Breathe – Into The  Shadows Season 2 

Aparshakti Khurana – Jubilee

Prosenjit Chatterjee – Jubilee

Shahid Kapoor – Farzi

Sidhant Gupta – Jubilee

Vijay Sethupathi – Farzi

Vijay Varma – Dahaad

Best Actor (Female) – Series

Rajshri Deshpande – Trial By Fire

Rasika Dugal – Delhi Crime Season 2

Shefali Shah – Delhi Crime Season 2

Shriya Pilgaonkar – The Broken News

Sriya Reddy – Suzhal: The Vortex

Tillotama Shome – Delhi Crime Season 2

Wamiqa Gabbi – Jubilee

Best Documentary

Against The Tide

Dharti Latar Re Horo – (Tortoise Under The Earth)

Fatima

Kucheye Khoshbakht (And, Towards Happy Alleys)

To Kill A Tiger

While We Watched

The winners of the prestigious IFFM 2023 Awards will be announced during the festival, at their annual gala night on 11th August 2023 which is set to be hosted at the iconic Hamer Hall in Melbourne, one of the world’s most sophisticated concert halls.

Also Read: R Balki directorial Ghoomer starring Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher set for world premiere at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2023

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Nitesh Tiwari is confident about Ramayana even after Adipurush backlash: “I’m very confident that I might not end up offending anybody”

National award-winning filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari is currently gearing up for the release of Bawaal. The film’s trailer was launched at the iconic Queen Elizabeth II in Dubai. The film stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. However, he also has an ambitious project in the works in the form of Ramayana. But, the filmmaker isn’t worried about the backlash even after the fate of Adipurush.

In a chat with Zoom Entertainment, Nitesh Tiwari spoke about Ramayana and whether he is worried about a mythology subject after the controversies surrounding Adipurush. He said, “My question is very simple. I am also a consumer of the content that I create and if I’m not going to offend myself than I’m very confident that I might not end up offending anybody else.”

While the film is yet to confirm its cast, rumours are rife that after Hrithik Roshan’s exit from the project, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have been offered the lead roles.

Meanwhile, Tiwari’s Bawaal is a timeless love story by Sajid Nadiadwala’s production banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment in collaboration with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari’s Earthsky Pictures. Bawaal will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 200 countries and territories worldwide on July 21.

ALSO READ: Nitesh Tiwari says he chose World War II reference in Bawaal as it was ‘fresh for the audience’; removed Jallianwala Bagh reference from earlier draft

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BTS’ Jungkook serenades Han So Hee in love anthem ‘Seven’ featuring Latto, watch music video

The global popstar Jung Kook of BTS released his highly anticipated solo single “Seven” feat. Latto today. The song marks Jungkook’s official global solo debut. “Seven” is a fun summer song that puts its spin on the UK garage genre. The genre’s unique rhythm and texture meet with the catchy acoustic guitar sound, highlighting the light-hearted melody perfect for the summer. Jung Kook’s unique timbre and playful energy complete the song.

“Seven” is a romantic serenade singing one’s wishes to spend every day, seven days a week with a beloved one. The highly-anticipated digital single was written and produced by Grammy-winning producers and songwriters Andrew Watt and Cirkut. Grammy-nominated American rapper Latto teamed up with Jung Kook as a featured artist.

CEO of HYBE AMERICA Scooter Braun also actively took part in the overall song production. The official music video unfolds a movie-like storyline and unique aesthetics. Known for their works with Harry Styles, Cardi B, etc., Bradley Bell and Pablo Jones-Soler came together to direct the music video. Korean actress Han So-hee and featured artist Latto took on the cast to complete the music video. The official music video teaser released on July 12 made an impressive feat by garnering over 1 million views in 10 minutes upon its release.

Recalling the production of “Seven”, Jung Kook said, “I deliberated on how more people could enjoy ‘Seven.’ This is my first time working on the [UK garage] genre, and the production process was very fresh and new. I also learned a lot from recording ‘Seven.’”

On July 14, Jung Kook will make his first official American TV debut of “Seven” on Good Morning America’s 2023 Summer Concert Series in New York.

ALSO READ: BTS release their first book “BEYOND THE STORY” on ARMY Day narrating their 10-year record-breaking journey in music industry

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Hrithik Roshan remembers his grandfather ‘Daduji’ Roshan on his 106th birth anniversary: “Legends have a way of transcending time through their art”

Hrithik Roshan is celebrating the birth anniversary of his grandfather, music director Roshan. The actor said that he never got to meet him as he had passed at the age of 40 but his music remains a treasure for him. Along with the photo of his grandfather, the music playing in the background is ‘Oh Re Taal Mile Nadi Ke Jal Mein’ from the 1968 film Anokhi Raat starring Sanjeev Kumar. The lyrics were by Indivar and sung by Mukesh.

Hrithik Roshan took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt note. He wrote, “Today marks the 106th birth anniversary of my Daduji – Roshan, whose name I inherit. Although I never had the honor of meeting him, learning from him or physically experiencing his love, I am blessed with a priceless treasure: his work… his music. Legends have a way of transcending time through their art. His songs are the foundation of the Roshan family’s journey and I am immensely proud to be a part of his extraordinary lineage. Celebrating my Daduji’s immortal legacy through one of my favourite songs by him I celebrate this song even more because my Daduji never got to celebrate its success… he passed away soon after he recorded this brilliant track. He was 40 years old.”

 

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On the work front, Hrithik Roshan will next star in Fighter. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film stars Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor. It is set for January 25, 2024 release.

ALSO READ: 4 Years of Super 30: Hrithik Roshan shares, “When somebody says ‘Hrithik can’t do it,’ you can’t even imagine how charged I get”

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Nitesh Tiwari says he chose World War II reference in Bawaal as it was ‘fresh for the audience’; removed Jallianwala Bagh reference from earlier draft

National award-winning filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s love story, Bawaal was launched at the iconic Queen Elizabeth II in Dubai. The film stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. Though the audience will have to wait for July 21 when the film premieres on Prime Video, the trailer had references to World War II which intrigued and confused the audience.

While talking to Galatta Plus, he talked about why he chose World War II instead of any of the wars India was a part of. He said that it would have been “very easy to incorporate” but he did not. “Rather than him teaching World War 2 in the school, he could have been teaching any of our historical stuff. My biggest thing was there is something fresh which I always crave to bring to my audience, both story-wise as well as visually,” he said.

“There has been such lovely stuff which has already been done and in plenty of numbers by some of our very renowned filmmakers in our country on the historical wars which our country has been a part of. I personally felt that I would not be able to being anything new on screen if I were to do that,” he said.

He added, “We have done Indo-Pak wars and Indo-China war and Kargil and everything, and some very good stuff has been done, I just felt that maybe you know if I were to bring something fresh for the audience, this was a way to go.”

He also said that he removed the Jallianwala Bagh reference from his earlier draft. “In one of the earlier drafts, there was a reference to Jallianwala Bagh which I removed after Sardar Udham came. It no longer remained fresh,” he said.

Starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, Bawaal is a timeless love story by Sajid Nadiadwala’s production banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment in collaboration with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari’s Earthsky Pictures. Bawaal will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 200 countries and territories worldwide on 21 July.

ALSO READ: Bawaal director Nitesh Tiwari showers praise for Janhvi Kapoor; says, “Wanted someone whose eyes speak”

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Photos: Nushrratt Bharuccha snapped outside a salon in Bandra

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Photos: Alia Bhatt, Soni Razdan and Shaheen Bhatt snapped in Bandra

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