She is also attending the festival for a special screening of the timeless masterpiece Umrao Jaan, directed by Muzaffar Ali, one of the defining films of her illustrious career and a performance that remains among the finest in Indian cinema. The festival will also honour the actress with the prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award, celebrating her unparalleled body of work, definitive performances, and extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.
With a body of work that has inspired generations and performances that have become part of India’s cinematic legacy, Rekha remains one of the country’s most celebrated and influential artists. As part of the festival’s cherished Independence Day tradition, Rekha will hoist the Indian National Flag in Melbourne on 15th August, commemorating India’s 79th Independence Day alongside members of the Indian diaspora, Australian dignitaries, filmmakers, artists, and cinema lovers.
The prestigious ceremony has, over the years, become one of the defining highlights of IFFM, symbolising the deep cultural ties between India and Australia. The festival’s annual flag-hoisting ceremony has previously been led by some of Indian cinema’s most iconic personalities, including Late Rishi
