Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 to celebrate Ritwik Ghatak’s cinematic legacy

IIFM to honour to Ritwik Ghatak

On the centenary of the birth of late Ritwik Ghatak, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 will celebrate the enduring legacy of one of Indian cinema's most significant figures.

A retrospective honouring the renowned director will be shown at the festival, highlighting his innovative work and reaffirming his ongoing significance in world cinema.

Actor, playwright, director, and screenwriter Ritwik Ghatak is regarded as a visionary who was well ahead of his time.

His cinematic voice, distinguished by its intense emotional content and ferocious social consciousness, has since become a vital component of India's artistic legacy, despite the fact that a large portion of his work was underappreciated during his lifetime.

His films are still studied in film schools and appreciated by academics and moviegoers all over the world.

Ghatak, who is best known for his films Komal Gandhar, Subarnarekha, and Meghe Dhaka Tara, frequently addressed issues of identity, displacement, and the human cost of sociopolitical upheaval.

His unique style blended moving commentary on the human condition, especially as it relates to marginalised communities and women's experiences, with poetic storytelling.

Ghatak received numerous National Awards and the Padma Shri posthumously in recognition of his enormous contributions to Indian cinema.

His legacy will be honoured at IFFM 2025 with carefully chosen screenings of his most important works, stimulating panel discussions, and scholarly tributes meant to introduce his cinematic genius to new generations.

Also Read: Vijay Sethupathi faces serious casting couch allegations by Ramya Mohan; deletes post later

Speaking about the planned tribute, IFFM Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange stated, “Ritwik Ghatak was a visionary far ahead of his time. His cinema dealt with trauma, displacement, and identity with such poetic depth and urgency that it resonates even more today. At IFFM, we believe it is our responsibility to bring global attention to icons like Ritwik Ghatak, whose work shaped the conscience of Indian filmmaking. This centenary celebration is not just a tribute, it’s a reminder of the kind of stories we must continue to tell.”

One of the festival's main attractions in 2025 will be this commemorative retrospective, which will bring together filmmakers, scholars, and moviegoers from all over the world to consider a legacy that continues to influence the language of cinema.