Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is set to hoist the Indian national flag at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 in August. The ceremony will take place as part of the festival's annual Independence Day celebrations.
The annual flag hoisting ceremony at IFFM is more than a formal tradition; it is a deeply emotional and unifying experience. Seeing the Tiranga unfurl on foreign soil, surrounded by artists, filmmakers, and members of the Indian and Australian communities, fills hearts with pride.
Backed by the Government of Victoria, IFFM is recognized as the largest Indian film festival held outside of India. The festival celebrates Indian cinema, diversity, and unity. IFFM's ongoing efforts celebrate Indian cinema and its global impact. The event continues to host prominent Indian artists and showcase films from diverse languages and regions. This year, the festival will also spotlight LGBTQ+ films.
Aamir Khan's participation in the ceremonial flag hoisting adds symbolic weight to the event. Known for his work that spans across mainstream and socially conscious cinema, Khan's presence aligns with IFFM's focus on inclusive storytelling and cultural representation.
This year, IFFM will showcase nearly 75 films, addressing themes such as gender, race, sexuality, disability, and female representation. The festival will run from August 14th to 24th. A special section will honor Aamir Khan's contribution to cinema. A special screening of Aamir Khan's film 'Sitare Zameen Par' is scheduled. The festival will open with Tillotama Shome's 'Baksho Bondi'. The festival will also screen filmmaker Prem Kapoor's 1971 film 'Badnaam Basti', which has been described as India's first gay film.