Tillotama Shome’s Critically Acclaimed Film Baksho Bondi to Open Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

The 16th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will open with the Bengali-language drama Baksho Bondi (titled Shadowbox in English), headlined and co-produced by acclaimed actor Tillotama Shome. After making its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, the film is now set for its Australian premiere on August 14 as the curtain-raiser for IFFM 2025.

Baksho Bondi marks the directorial debut of Tanushree Das, who co-directs the project alongside cinematographer and filmmaker Saumyananda Sahi. A multinational co-production between India, France, the US, and Spain, the film was also co-produced by actor Jim Sarbh.

Set in the Kolkata suburb of Barrackpore, the film follows Maya, a working woman whose life is defined by quiet determination and unspoken strength. Portrayed by Shome, Maya navigates her world through acts of silent resistance and inner fortitude.

“Baksho Bondi is incredibly close to my heart,” Shome said in a statement. “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.”

Sharing her excitement about the Melbourne screening, she added, “After Berlin, bringing Maya’s story to Melbourne feels special… because of the incredible strength and spirit of inclusion that radiates from Mitu, the festival director of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This film is a love letter to working women, to dusty afternoons in Barrackpore and to the courage that quietly persists even when no one is watching.”

The film has also earned two nominations at this year’s IFFM: Best Indie Film and Best Actor (Female) for Shome. The team expressed their excitement on social media, writing, “Thrilled to announce that our film Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) has received two nominations at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 @iffmelbourne: Best Indie Film and a Best Actor (Female) nomination for our brilliant lead, @tillotamashome! Congratulations to our entire team who poured their hearts into bringing Baksho Bondi to life, and to the teams behind all the nominated films. We are so excited to celebrate Indian cinema with you all in Melbourne!”

Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange praised the film, stating, “We are honoured to open IFFM 2025 with Baksho Bondi, a film that exemplifies the strength of Indian independent cinema while touching on themes that are deeply personal and globally relatable. Tillotama Shome’s performance as Maya is nothing short of extraordinary.”

She added, “It is exactly the kind of cinema we are proud to showcase at IFFM, and we are excited for Australian audiences to experience this gem on our Opening Night.”

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 will run from August 14 to 24, with the IFFM Awards Night set for August 15. The festival is supported by the Victorian Government and celebrates achievements across both film and streaming platforms.

Also Read: Raanjhanaa Re-Release: Director Slams AI-Changed Ending