Ram Charan, Kartik Aaryan, Parvathy Thiruvothu bag top honours at IFFM 2024

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) awards night culminated in a spectacular awards ceremony, celebrating the best of Indian cinema in grand style. This year’s awards honored some of the most outstanding talents and films from the Indian film industry, marking an unforgettable night for both the winners and the attendees. Ram Charan and Dr AR Rahman bagged the top two honours for the incredible cinematic achievements.
In a highly anticipated announcement, Kartik Aaryan took home the Best Actor award for his remarkable performance, further solidifying his position as one of the most versatile actors in contemporary Indian cinema.
Acclaimed filmmakers Kabir Khan and Nithilan Swaminathan were jointly awarded Best Director for their exceptional work on Chandu Champion and Maharaja.
In addition to these major awards, two films received special recognition for their outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail was acknowledged for its inspiring narrative, and Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies was honored for its innovative approach and storytelling.
The 15th IFFM Awards brought together some of the most renowned talents from India, making it a night to remember. The festival, which is taken this year from August 15th to 25th, 2024, features a diverse range of films that showcased the rich tapestry of Indian cinema, with the awards ceremony serving as the perfect conclusion to a week of cinematic. list of Winners:
Excellence in Cinema: Dr AR Rahman
Ambassador of Indian Art & culture: Ram Charan
Equality in Cinema: Dunki
Diversity Champion: Rasika Dugal
Disruptor in Cinema: Adarsh Gourav
Breakout Film of the Year - Amar Singh Chamkila
Short Film Competition - The Vegemite Sandwich and Special mention to Echo
Best Documentary - Trolley Times
Best Film from the Subcontinent- The Red Suitcase from NepalSeries
Best Series - Kohhra
Best Actor in a Series - Arjun Mathur for Made In Heaven Season 2
Best Actress in a Series - Nimisha Sajayan for Poacher
Best Film (Critics Choice) - Laapata Ladies
Best Director (Critics Choice) - Dominic Sangma for Rimdogittanga (Rapture)
Best Performance of the Year (Critics) - Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail
Jury Awards-
Best Actress - Parvathy Thiruvothu for Ullozhukku (Undercurrent)
Best Actor - Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion
Best Director - Kabir Khan for Chandu Champion and Nithilan Swaminathan for Maharaja
Best Film - 12th Fail

Raksha Bandhan is one of my favorite festivals: Sukhada Khandkekar

Raksha Bandhan is just around the corner. Sukhada Khandkekar, who is seen as Saraswati in Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah’s Pukaar: Dil Se Dil Tak, which is produced under their banner, LSD Studios, is excited to celebrate the festival and said, “Raksha Bandhan is one of my favorite festivals. I actually love all festivals, but Raksha Bandhan holds a special place for me. My elder brother, Sudeep Deshpande, lives in Bahrain, and I've always celebrated Raksha Bandhan with him through video calls.”
“I send him Rakhi every year, so it’s never felt like I’ve missed out. Besides him, I have another brother, Abhijeet Guru, who is like my own brother. He lives in Mumbai and is a celebrated writer and actor. Since both of us are in Mumbai, I can tie Rakhi to him in person every year. We’re both actors, and as you know, our schedules can be unpredictable, so sometimes we manage to celebrate Raksha Bandhan before or after the actual day. But no matter what, we always find a way to celebrate it together. This year, our plan is to meet for dinner after our shoots, and I’m really looking forward to it,” she added.
There are special sequences in TV shows during festivals, and she feels that the pressure of creating them depends on the production team and the working culture of the show you're involved in. “For example, in the case of Pukaar, the production team and the director are extremely disciplined and well-planned. Because of this, we are always well-prepared with a good bank of episodes, which allows us to work without any pressure. Whether you're stuck in traffic, it's raining, or there's some delay in the shoot for the day, it doesn’t matter because we've already completed enough work in advance,” she said.
“All the credit goes to our production team, LSD Productions, and our fantastic director, Prateek Shah. Thanks to their excellent planning, we've never felt any pressure while working. During festival times, it's usually a very mutual understanding that if there's an important day or event, a break is planned accordingly. This way, the unit gets some rest, especially after an intense shooting schedule. This happened during the summer as well, and it was because of great planning that we could work without any pressure.I'm sure as we approach the festive season, which is going to be beautiful, colorful, and filled with happiness with back-to-back festivals, everything will run smoothly. Thanks to our excellent planning, we'll be able to balance everything without any stress,” she added.
Plans for Raksha Bandhan this year? “Apart from my two brothers, I have five more cousins who are like siblings to me. In total, we are seven brothers and just two sisters. Every year, we all get together to celebrate Bhai Dooj, and Diwali is always celebrated in Nashik, where all my cousins and in-laws live. We gather in Nashik for Bhai Dooj, making it a special time for us to be together as a family. On Rakhi, however, we usually connect through video calls to celebrate with all the brothers, even if we’re not physically together,” Sukhada ended.

Gulfam Khan Hussain: Childhood memories of Raksha Bandhan are the sweetest

Actress Gulfam Khan Hussain, currently seen in Gehna - Zevar Ya Zanjeer on Dangal TV, says that some of her most treasured memories of Raksha Bandhan come from her childhood. The actress adds that the festival will always hold a special place in her heart. "My younger brother lives abroad, and we chat on the phone at the smallest provocation. I generally have a little get-together with my other 'brothers' if all of us are free. Two of them live in the same building as I do, so I'll meet them for sure," she says.
She continues, "The fondest memory I have is from my childhood when I used to tie Rakhi to the brothers of two families in our neighborhood. One family was my governess's; she had four sons. The other family had five brothers, and they were young men. I used to tie two Rakhis on their wrists—one from me and the other from their eldest sister, who was married and lived in another town. I would literally hound them for two gifts, and they would tease me by giving me one and haggling for another. Childhood memories are the sweetest. One of my favorite songs, which I always sent to Wajidbhai on Raksha Bandhan, is 'Mere Bhaiyya Mere Chanda Mere Anmol Ratan' from the film Kajal."

Raksha Bandhan often finds its way into our lives through the show itself: Anuj Kohli

The country will be celebrating Raksha Bandhan soon, and actor Anuj Kohli, who is seen as Saransh in Ravindra Gautam and Raghuvir Shekhawat’s Dahej Daasi, which is produced under their banner Do Dooni 4 Films, is excited to celebrate the festival on the sets of his show. He said, “While we don't have an official celebration, Raksha Bandhan often finds its way into our lives through the show itself. We film sequences around the festival, and it naturally turns into a celebration on set. It's a wonderful break where everyone comes together to enjoy the sweets and the festive atmosphere. It’s a special time for all of us.”
Talking about the special sequences that become a part of the shows, he said, “It’s true that we incorporate many festivals into our show, but rather than feeling like extra pressure, it actually adds a refreshing change to our routine. New costumes, accessories, and themes bring a unique energy to the set. It’s a lot of fun and brings a positive vibe to our work environment.”
But Anuj is happy to be on the set, as his sister is in Delhi. “I usually get the Rakhi delivered here, and I’m lucky to have a ‘rakhi sister’ here in Mumbai who ties it for me. It’s a small yet meaningful celebration that I look forward to every year, especially when I can’t be with my family,” he said.
What are your plans for this year? “This year, it’s mostly work, but I’m thoroughly enjoying my time on set. The show is going great, and I’m looking forward to indulging in lots of gulab jamun. This is the time of year when festivals come one after another, starting with Raksha Bandhan, then Ganesh Chaturthi, and finally Diwali. So, there’s a lot of joy and excitement to look forward to,” Anuj ended.

Global star Ram Charan hoists Indian Tricolour at Federation Square

India’s Global star Ram Charan did the honour of hoisting the Indian national flag at Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square to celebrate the Indian spirit and recognise every Indian as a representative of Indian cinema. The iconic chief guest for this year’s festival, Charan's ceremonial act marked a beautifully poignant moment in the vibrant festivities of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024. Ram was honoured with the prestigious title of “Ambassador of Indian Arts and Culture” by the Victorian government at the annual IFFM awards, which took place last night at the iconic Palais Theatre.
His ceremonial act as a true Indian filled with pride, hoisting the flag amidst hundreds of diaspora Indians who gathered to witness the moment, was a highlight of the event. Federation Square in Melbourne was filled with joy, fervour, and pride as his fans and supporters celebrated this deeply emotional and joyful moment with their favourite star, Ram Charan.
In its 15th year, the IFFM is the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside India, and it runs from August 15-25 this year. Ram Charan's presence and participation underscored the festival's commitment to celebrating and promoting Indian culture on a global stage. The hoisting of the Indian tricolour was a symbol of unity and cultural pride, resonating deeply with the festival's international audience.
Ram expressed on the occasion, “It’s such a proud moment for us all Indians to be here, hoisting the Indian flag in Australia. I have such fond memories of being here in Australia, having shot for a movie 12 years back in Melbourne and Sydney. Back in the day, there weren’t so many Indians, and to see so many Indians here today truly makes me so proud. We are truly going global, and international platforms are recognizing our culture and cinema. Now I feel the future is all on the young people gathered here, and that excites me to see the future is so bright.”

Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan to bid farewell on a high note

The beloved television show Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan is set to air its final episode on September 1, 2024, bringing an end to its remarkable journey. Launched on May 2, 2022, the show has captivated audiences for over two years with its compelling narrative and powerful performances by lead actors Shabir Ahluwalia and Neeharika Roy. Throughout its run, Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan, produced by Studio LSD under the helm of Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah, became a staple in Indian households, known for its unique blend of romance, drama, and spirituality. The show’s portrayal of the deep connection between Radha and Mohan, brought to life by the stellar performances of Ahluwalia and Roy, resonated deeply with viewers. Their on-screen chemistry became one of the major highlights, establishing Radha and Mohan as one of the most cherished couples on Indian television.
The show's success can be attributed not only to its talented cast but also to its strong writing and direction, which consistently delivered gripping and emotional storylines. As it approaches its conclusion, fans are eager to see how the story of Radha and Mohan will wrap up, with many anticipating a memorable and heartfelt ending.
The makers of Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan, who have also been behind other successful shows like Rabb Se Hai Dua, Pyar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti, and Pukar – Dil Se Dil Tak, are already gearing up for their next project. The new contemporary drama titled Suman Indori is going to feature popular actors Anita Hassanandani and Zain Imam in lead roles.
As Pyar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan prepares to bid farewell, it leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and unforgettable television moments. Fans will undoubtedly miss the show, but they can look forward to the new stories that its creators are set to bring to the screen.