Regional Diversity Takes Centre Stage at IFFM 2026 as Rishab Shetty Wins Best Director
Dragon Media News Desk
The 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has highlighted the expanding diversity of Indian cinema, with major awards going to films, actors and directors representing different linguistic and regional industries rather than being concentrated in Hindi cinema.
Rishab Shetty won Best Director for “Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1,” while Dulquer Salmaan received the Best Actor award for his performance in “Kaantha.” Kirti Kulhari was named Best Actress for “Full Plate.”
“Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra” was named Best Film, while filmmaker Rima Das won Best Indie Film for “Not a Hero.” “The Great Shamshuddin Family” received a special mention in the Best Film category.
Shahrbanoo Sadat’s “No Good Men” won Best Film from the Subcontinent, while Madhushree Dutta’s “Flying Tigers” received the award for Best Documentary Film.
The results underline a broader transformation in Indian cinema, where films and performers emerging from regional industries are increasingly gaining national and international recognition beyond linguistic boundaries.
Shetty’s rise from Kannada cinema and Salmaan’s evolution from Malayalam cinema into a widely recognised pan Indian performer illustrate the growing mobility of talent across India’s film industries.
Veteran actress Rani Mukerji was also honoured with a special citation recognising excellence in acting as she marks three decades in cinema.
The festival has brought together prominent figures from several generations of Indian cinema, including Rekha, Rani Mukerji, Pankaj Tripathi, Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan and Kirti Kulhari.
The 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is presenting films, awards, conversations and special events designed to showcase the diversity of Indian and South Asian cinema to international audiences.
This year’s awards reinforce an increasingly visible reality within the industry: Indian cinema can no longer be viewed primarily through the lens of Hindi language filmmaking. Kannada, Malayalam and other regional industries are becoming increasingly influential contributors to India’s global cinematic presence.
