Bobby Deol starrer 'Bandar' to close National Indian Film Festival of Australia 2026
Mumbai, June 19
Actor Bobby Deol's starrer 'Bandar', which is currently winning hearts in theatres, is set to conclude the 2026 edition of the National Indian Film Festival of Australia. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the thriller has been selected as the closing film of the festival's final leg in Melbourne.
The announcement comes as NIFFA continues its multi-city run across Australia, with Melbourne hosting the concluding phase before the festival wraps up in Hobart, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Widely regarded as one of the largest celebrations of Indian cinema outside India, the festival has brought together a mix of contemporary films, restored classics and industry discussions.
'Bandar', which stars Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra in lead roles, has drawn attention since its theatrical release on June 5 for its unconventional narrative and performances.
The film also features Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Raj B. Shetty, Jitendra Joshi, Riddhi Sen, Indrajith Sukumaran and Nagesh Bhonsle in key roles.
The Melbourne programme includes screenings of restored classics such as Shyam Benegal's Manthan in 4K and the 1989 cult film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, presented in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation India. Australia's national screen museum, ACMI, has also joined the festival as a cultural partner.
This year's edition has travelled across nine Australian cities, including Sydney, Perth, Alice Springs and Broken Hill, highlighting the increasing international footprint of Indian cinema.
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, 'Bandar' has been written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, known for their work on projects such as Paatal Lok, Kohrra and Udta Punjab.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, content-driven films are getting their due on international platforms. 'Bandar' is such a refreshing change from the usual masala movies. Sanya Malhotra's performance is outstanding! Hope this inspires more Indian filmmakers to experiment.
As someone who's been following Indian cinema from abroad, this is fantastic news! The inclusion of restored classics like 'Manthan' alongside contemporary films shows the depth of Indian storytelling. Well done, NIFFA! 🙌
Honestly, I wish festivals like this would also showcase more regional cinema from the South. Bollywood tends to dominate these events, but there's so much talent in Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada industries too. Still, happy for Bobby Deol's comeback!
Bobby Deol and Anurag Kashyap - what a combination! 'Bandar' has been the talk of the town since its release. The fact that it's closing a festival in Australia just proves that good content travels beyond borders. Proud moment for Indian cinema! ✨
The lineup sounds impressive - 'Bandar', restored classics, and films from the Film Heritage Foundation. Wish I could attend! This is a great initiative to bridge cultures through cinema. Hope the festival grows even bigger in coming years. 🍿
E Emma D