Aamir Khan gets-off the ground at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 with Gauri Spratt
The 16th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) kicked-off with a ceremonial opening as veteran actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan officially unwield the event on August 14, 2025.
Championing a cherished Indian tradition, the actor lit the ceremonial lamp, a symbolic gesture of new beginnings and cultural pride. As a mark of respect for the custom, Khan removed his footwear prior to lighting the lamp, drawing applause from the audience.
The celebrations of the evening were further elevated when Aamir Khan introduced the
much- anticipated Opening Night Film Baksho Bondi. The screening took place in the presence of the film’s cast and crew, including acclaimed actors Tillotama Shome and Jim Sarbh, who also serves as the film’s producer. The occasion set an enthusiastic tone for the eleven-day festival, which runs from August 14 to 24, and brings together filmmakers, artists, and cinema lovers from across the globe.
Speaking at the launch, Aamir shared, that it’s truly an honour to open the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It’s great here to be here celebrating cinema that brings us all together. He has been meaning to come here for the longest time and feels glad could eventually make it. All his colleagues always spoke highly of the warmth of IFFM and he now can truly feel it coming his way. He extended good wishes to the team of Baksho Bondi and all other films at the festival, all the very best with a hope that the Melbourne audiences enjoy these films and cinema.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange also expressed her excitement over the festival’s opening, stating, “Having Aamir Khan inaugurate IFFM 2025 is an immense honour for us. Baksho Bondi is the perfect Opening Night Film — it’s bold, it’s moving, and it showcases the kind of storytelling we love to champion.
Sighting talents like Tillotama Shome,
Jim Sarbh, Tanushree Das here in Melbourne is a testament to how far Indian cinema has reached. This year’s festival is about celebrating that reach and over using cinema to connect hearts across continents.
With an extensive
Line-up featuring film screenings, masterclasses, and cultural showcases, IFFM 2025 gears up to deliver one of its most unforgettable editions yet. The festival persists to serve as a dynamic platform for both Indian and global cinema, fostering artistic exchange and cultural connection on Australian soil.
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan shared that he didn’t charge a penny for Coolie; and that sharing the screen with Rajni is reward enough.
News Edit KV Raman
