IFFM 2025 Awards Winners List: Aamir Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Arvind Swamy and others win big

Celebs win big at IFFM 2025

The finest in Indian cinema was celebrated on the annual Awards Night of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025. The moving drama Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, won both Best Film and Best Director on a night full of cheers, emotion, and cinematic pride.

The renowned Excellence in Cinema Award was given to Bollywood star Aamir Khan in recognition of his decades-long dedication to the craft and his unparalleled impact on the business.

However, Abhishek Bachchan received the Best Actor (Male) award for his outstanding performance in I Want to Talk, while Gugun Kigpen received a Special Mention for Boong.

IFFM 2025 Award Winners Complete List:

Best Film: Homebound

Best Director: Neeraj Ghaywan (Homebound)

Best Indie Film: Angammal

Best Actor (Male) – Film: Abhishek Bachchan (I Want to Talk)

Special Mention – Best Actor (Male) – Film: Gugun Kigpen (Boong)

Best Actor (Female) – Film: Geetha Kailasam (Angammal)

Best Series: Black Warrant

Best Actor (Male) – Series: Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok Season 2)

Best Actor (Female) – Series: Nimisha Sajayan (Dabba Cartel)

Excellence in Cinema: Aamir Khan

Leadership in Cinema: Arvind Swamy

Disruptor Award: Vir Das

Diversity in Cinema: Aditi Rao Hydari

Equality in Cinema: Baksho Bondi

Best Short Film (India) - Kalar Pencils by Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar

Best Short Film (Australia) - Drifters by David Liu

However, actors reflected on the recognition and shared their excitement over the award.

Aamir Khan reflected on his big win and said, “I have been attracted to telling stories from a very young age. Filmmaking is a collaborative art and this award and recognition wouldn’t have been possible without my writers, directors, co-stars, and the audiences who have given me the opportunity to tell the stories and be part of the many stories i have been part of.”

Arvind Swamy suggested that he still considered himself a student of cinema, even though he had been given leadership in the field for his work.

Arvind added, “If anyone offers me role event today that’s in my comfort zone, i wouldn’t do it, i always want roles that challenge me. I’m grateful for the recognition to he given the Leadership in Cinema award at IFFM 2025.”

After receiving the Best Actor award, Abhishek Bachchan revealed that his life had come full circle. It was an emotional moment to receive the Best Actor award on the same stage for a film that was very special to him, he admitted, recalling that he had been honoured with the Excellence in Cinema award in 2022 for his body of work.

Abhishek recalled, “I came here in 2022 where i was feted with the excellence in cinema award for my body of work. But this is an emotional moment for me to get the best actor on this very stage and be recognised for my role in a film that’s extremely special to me.”

He continued, “It was 3 years back in Melbourne at this same festival where Shoojit Da offered me this role in I Want To Talk. It was Shoojit Da who believed in me that i could pull off this role and this role is an ode to my father and my daughter because it’s about caring and raising a parent.”

However, Aditi Rao Hydari also reflected on her win and shared a series of photos from the award ceremony on Instagram. Reflecting on the emotional moment, the actress penned in the caption, “On the day of India’s independence, the diversity in cinema honour is all the more special.”

She continued, “To celebrate and be a part of the Indian film industry to be. Part of diverse stories languages cultures, histories… to connect through love through our stories and to share our joy pain and laughter through cinema.

The actress concluded her post by writing, “I want to live in your hearts forever and you will all live in mine  forever! Thank you @iffmelbourne. Thank you @mitulange. This was the most warm 3 days. You all felt like home. Thank you Melbourne for the love!”

Also Read: Abhishek Bachchan wins Best Actor at NAB IFFM awards 2025 for I Want To Talk

The 16th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 has once again united actors, filmmakers, and viewers in a celebration of artistic excellence, culture, and creativity. Homebound will be the final movie at the festival, which will continue until August 24.