BREAKING: The highly anticipated Bengali-language drama, “Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox,” directed by Tillotama Shome, is set to open the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) on August 14, 2025. This marks the film’s Australian premiere following its debut at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival.
The film is an intimate character study that tells the story of Maya, played by Shome, who juggles multiple jobs—house cleaning, chicken farming, and laundry pressing—while caring for her husband Sundar (played by Chandan Bisht), who suffers from PTSD, and their teenage son Debu (portrayed by newcomer Sayan Karmakar). As Sundar becomes embroiled in a murder investigation, Maya faces societal prejudices and her own troubled past.
Shome expressed her deep connection to the film, stating,
“Playing Maya was a lesson in listening to silences, in discovering strength in small acts, and in understanding how quiet resilience shapes women’s lives in a world that often overlooks them.”
The festival’s director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, emphasized the film’s significance, calling it “a perfect start for the 2025 edition.” Lange praised Shome’s performance as extraordinary, highlighting the film’s themes of resilience and hope.
The IFFM, which runs until August 24, 2025, is the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside of India, showcasing diverse and dynamic contemporary storytelling. The awards ceremony is scheduled for August 15, 2025, honoring excellence in both film and streaming categories.
This year’s festival will also feature a variety of notable films, including Rima Das’s “Village Rockstars 2,” and Fasil Muhammed’s “Feminichi Fathima,” which highlight the rich tapestry of regional independent cinema.
As excitement builds for the festival’s opening, Victoria, Australia, prepares to welcome cinema lovers eager to experience the richness of Indian film culture. Stay tuned for more updates as festival events unfold!