IFFM Awards: Rani Mukerji Wins Best Actress Award, 'Sanju' Bags The Best Film Honour

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards were announced on Sunday with Sanjay Dutt's biopic 'Sanju' directed by Rajkumar Hirani bagged the Best Film honour. While Manoj Bajpayee walked home with the Best Actor award for his yet-to-release film 'Gali Guleiyan', which marks Dipesh Jain’s directorial debut. The film also received the Best Indie Film Special Mention award. Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her much appreciated performance as as a teacher suffering from Tourette’s Syndrome in 'Hichki'. The actress, who has been working in the industry for over two decades, was also bestowed with the 'Excellence In Cinema’ award. Veteran actress Simi Garewal presented Rani with the honour. 

'Sanju', which hit screens on June 29, has earned Rs. 10 Lakh in its 7th week and has raked in over Rs. 335 cores at the box office so far. Talking about the recognition the film has received at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani reportedly stated that he is ecstatic about it and is excited to showcase 'Sanju' at the La Trobe University in Melbourne. The filmmaker won the Best Director award for 'Sanju', while Vicky Kaushal bagged the Best Supporting Performance award for his much-loved portrayal of Ranbir Kapoor's best friend in the film. Ranbir was given the IFFM Vanguard Award for his widely appreciated performance in 'Sanju'.

Meanwhile, Richa Chadha too walked home with the Best Supporting Performance award for her role as a brothel owner in the Tabrez Noorani directorial 'Love Sonia' the story of which revolves around sex trafficking, the film also won the Best Indie Film award. The Equality In Cinema award was bagged by the critically acclaimed Telugu and Tamil film 'Mahanati' which is based on the life of south Indian actress Savitri.

The jury members of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, which kick-started on August 10, included Simi Garewal, Sue Maslin, Jill Bilcock, Nikkhil Advani and Geoffrey Wright. Rani Mukerji opened the festival by hoisting the Indian National flag in the presence of the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and IFFM director Mitu Lange. The actress looked elegant in a white floral print saree, with a shawl and a pearl necklace to complete her look.

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