IFFM 2018: Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju wins big

“I think it’s a matter of great pride for India to show our films here” – Rani Mukerji on #IFFM2018 pic.twitter.com/1NNvm7PnRe

— #IFFM (@IFFMelb) August 10, 2018

Veteran actress Simi Garewal, looking elegant as ever in her trademark pristine white, gave away the honour to Rani, who has been a part of the film industry for over two decades.

I was an AD giving claps for scenes in GoW. Today, receiving an award along with @BajpayeeManoj Sir on the same platform of @IFFMelb ,this journey has only been possible because I got to observe & learn from fine actors like him. Thank You Sardar Khan! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tv13LYxLvQ

— Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) August 12, 2018

Overwhelmed by the honour, Rani thanked her fans world over for loving her and her work through the years.

Hirani won the Best Director for Sanju, a biopic on the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, while the IFFM Vanguard Award went to actor Ranbir Kapoor for his “breakthrough performance” in bringing alive Sanjay’s tumultuous life journey on-screen.

The director told IANS here that he is happy with the recognition for the movie and is excited about showcasing the movie at La Trobe University here, with Sanju co-writer Abhijat Joshi and actor Vicky Kaushal.

Winning duo and their #JadduKiJhappi moment ❤️ #WestpacIFFMAwards night @RajkumarHirani @vickykaushal09 @Westpac #IFFM2018 @foxstarhindi pic.twitter.com/OPMYLBf0Wp

— #IFFM (@IFFMelb) August 12, 2018

Vicky won the supporting actor honour for his well-deserved performance as Kamli in Sanju, and Richa Chadha won it too as she won the jury’s heart with her power-packed role as a brothel owner in Love Sonia.

Our very own #KAMLI @vickykaushal09 wins the Best supporting actor award for #SANJU at the #WestpacIFFMAwards night @Westpac @foxstarhindi pic.twitter.com/3KA6BWBuW4

— #IFFM (@IFFMelb) August 12, 2018

The jury members for the fest, launched by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, comprised Simi Garewal, Sue Maslin, Jill Bilcock, Nikkhil Advani and Geoffrey Wright.

Wright, known for the Russell Crowe-starrer Romper Stomper, told IANS that he was mighty impressed by the variety that Indian cinema currently has on offer. He said he feels that “perhaps it has gone from recreation to being serious cinema”.

India’s colourful and diverse culture was very much a part of the awards celebration as there were the beats of the dhol, performers dressed in traditional Indian classical attires, Odissi dance, Bhangra and more.

Composers Sachin-Jigar added the chutzpah with some of their Bollywood tracks.

The inclusion-themed ninth edition of the gala gave a Diversity Award to Freida Pinto, who shot to fame and prominence first with her role in Oscar-winning drama Slumdog Millionaire. In her upcoming film “Love Sonia”, Freida is seen in a never-seen-before avatar.

Tabrez Noorani-directed Love Sonia, which opened the IFFM gala and left the audience moved with a story around sex trafficking, won the Best Indie film. A special mention in this space went to “Gali Guleiyan”, which marks Dipesh Jain’s debut as a director.

The Equality In Cinema Award was given to Mahanati, the widely acclaimed Telugu and Tamil film on the life of south Indian actress Savitri, who made a mark in the 1950s and 1960s.

The @MahanatiTheFilm team wins the #IFFM Equality in cinema award at the #WestpacIFFMAwards night @KeerthyOfficial @nagashwin7 #IFFM2018 pic.twitter.com/Xfe0EHktlc

— #IFFM (@IFFMelb) August 12, 2018

Actor Ali Fazal, who was the jury of the short film competition, chose To-let as the Indian winner and the Australian winner was “Found”, which is on Islamophobia.

Richa also gave away the IFFM Heroes Award, which celebrates real life heroes who have done good deeds.

IFFM began on Friday, as part of the celebrations, Rani on Saturday hoisted the Indian flag at the Federation House, which also became a stage for a dance competition, bringing the huge and diverse Indian community of Melbourne together — denoting the unifying power of cinema.

The fest will end on August 22.