The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 concluded on a high note with the official Closing Night screening of Homebound, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and proved to be the highlight of the festival, winning both Best Film and Best Director awards.
Such was the anticipation for Homebound that the Closing Night featured two back-to-back screenings to accommodate the overwhelming demand from Australian audiences. The film’s poignant narrative, layered storytelling, and deeply moving performances resonated strongly, ending in thunderous applause and a standing ovation as the credits rolled.
Reflecting on the film’s success, Neeraj Ghaywan said, “To bring Homebound to Melbourne, and to win these two awards is extremely special. To be in a room full of such diverse people feels truly incredible. One feels so special to see the Australian government and ministers doing so much for this festival—I have never seen such kind of support anywhere else in the world.”
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange expressed her delight at closing the festival with Ghaywan’s film, remarking, “We could not have imagined a more powerful and fitting way to close IFFM 2025 than with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound. The film embodies everything we celebrate at this festival—fearless storytelling, stellar performances, and narratives that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. Watching the audience rise to their feet in applause was a moment of pride not just for the team of Homebound, but for Indian cinema as a whole.”
With its emotional storytelling and outstanding artistry, Homebound perfectly reflected this year’s festival theme of stories that spark empathy and conversation. Its recognition at IFFM 2025 further underscores the festival’s reputation as a premier international platform for Indian cinema, bringing together diverse audiences and cultures through the universal language of film.
As the curtains fell on IFFM 2025, the festival once again reaffirmed its mission of celebrating Indian storytelling on a global stage, with Homebound standing as the defining film of this year’s edition.
