Cinema VinesVeteran Bollywood actress Rekha will be the guest of honour at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and will receive the prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award. The 71‑year‑old star will also hoist the Indian flag during the festival’s August 15 flag‑hoisting ceremony, which will bring together members of the Indian diaspora, Australian dignitaries, filmmakers, artists and cinema lovers.
The festival, running from 13 to 23 August, will showcase Muzaffar Ali’s 1972 classic Umrao Jaan to celebrate Rekha’s long‑standing contribution to Indian cinema. The film, which marks its 45th anniversary this year, is widely regarded as one of the defining works of her career. Rekha said, “Umrao Jaan has never left me. She lives in my memories, in my silences, and in the hearts of those who have embraced her with a lot of love over the years. To revisit that journey and see the film being celebrated on a global stage is both humbling and moving.”
In her acceptance statement, Rekha expressed gratitude for the honour, noting that it recognises not only her own journey but also the filmmakers, writers, musicians and countless collaborators who have enriched her life and shaped her work. “Cinema has been my life's greatest blessing, and to be honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award at IFFM 2026 is special,” she said.
The flag‑hoisting event will follow a tradition of Indian cinema icons leading the ceremony, with past participants including Rishi Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Ramcharan and filmmaker Karan Johar.
Mitu Bhowmick Lange, founder and festival director of the IFFM, welcomed Rekha as the festival’s guest of honour. She described the actress as “one of those timeless icons whose presence transcends cinema and becomes part of a nation's cultural consciousness.”
