Dulquer Salmaan wins IFFM 2026 Best Actor for ‘Kaantha’; Rishab Shetty bags Best Director; ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ takes Best Film
Dulquer Salmaan won the Best Actor award at the 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026. The actor received the honour for his performance in ‘Kaantha’. The Best Actor category included Aamir Khan for ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, Ahaan Panday for ‘Saiyaara’, Bhuman Bhargav Das for ‘Not a Hero’, Mammootty for ‘Kalamkaval: The Venom Beneath’, Ranveer Singh for ‘Dhurandhar’, Rishab Shetty for ‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1’ and Sanjay Mishra for ‘Vadh 2’.
‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ named Best Film
‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ took home the Best Film award at the ceremony. The film emerged as one of the biggest winners at this year’s festival. Rima Das’s ‘Not a Hero’ was named Best Indie Film. ‘The Great Shamshuddin Family’ received a Special Mention for Best Film. ‘Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia)’ also received a Special Mention in the Indie Film category.
Rishab Shetty takes home two major honours
Rishab Shetty received the Best Director award for ‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1’. The Kannada star also received the Leadership in Film award. His double recognition made him one of the prominent winners at IFFM 2026. Rekha, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal were also among the notable names recognised during the event.
Dulquer Salmaan prepares for ‘I’m Game’
Dulquer Salmaan’s IFFM victory comes as the actor prepares for another major release. He is set to return to Malayalam cinema with ‘I’m Game’. The film has been generating anticipation as Dulquer Salmaan’s next major Mollywood project. However, audiences will now have to wait longer for its theatrical release. The makers have changed the film’s previously announced release date. ‘I’m Game’ was earlier scheduled to open in cinemas on August 20, 2026.
Dulquer Salmaan wins IFFM 2026 Best Actor for ‘Kaantha’; Rishab Shetty bags Best Director; ‘Lokah’.
‘I’m Game’ gets new September release date
‘I’m Game’ will now release worldwide on September 3, 2026. The makers announced the postponement through an official statement. The announcement also addressed the delay and the wider release plans for the film. The official note read, “The game gets bigger. The release gets wider. We understand the anticipation and we apologize for the delay, but #IMGAME will now release worldwide on 3rd September, moving from its earlier release date of 20th August.”Dulquer Salmaan will also be seen in the upcoming Pooja Hegde starrer ‘Sri Sri’.
