Rekha and Pankaj Tripathi to be honoured at IFFM 2026

New Delhi: Veteran Hindi cinema star Rekha will attend the Indian Movie Competition of Melbourne as visitor of honour, the place she will probably be introduced with the distinguished excellence in cinema award, whereas actor Pankaj Tripathi will probably be honoured with the Artist of Distinction award.

The pageant will display ‘Umrao Jaan’ to rejoice Rekha’s unparalleled physique of labor and extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema that spans throughout films equivalent to ‘Silsila’, ‘Khoobsurat’, ‘Ijaazat’, ‘Ghar’, ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’, ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ and ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’. Directed by Muzaffar Ali, ‘Umrao Jaan’ is among the most defining movies in Rekha’s profession and celebrated 45 years of its launch this 12 months.

“‘Umrao Jaan’ has by no means left me. She lives in my recollections, in my silences and within the hearts of those that have embraced her with quite a lot of love over time. To revisit that journey and see the movie being celebrated on a worldwide stage is each humbling and shifting. Cinema has been my life’s biggest blessing and to be honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award at IFFM 2026 is particular. I settle for this honour with immense gratitude, not solely as a recognition of my very own journey, but in addition as a tribute to the filmmakers, writers, musicians and numerous collaborators who’ve enriched my life and formed my work, she mentioned.

The actress can even hoist the Indian flag in Melbourne on August 15 alongside members of the Indian diaspora, Australian dignitaries, filmmakers, artists and cinema lovers.

In the meantime, the honour to Pankaj Tripathi will probably be introduced to rejoice the actor’s distinctive contribution to Indian cinema and his exceptional journey as one of many nation’s most revered performers. This can even be the primary time the Nationwide Award-winning actor will attend the pageant and obtain the honour in Melbourne, Australia, based on a press launch.

Tripathi, recognized for his roles in initiatives equivalent to ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Newton’, ‘Stree’ and others, mentioned it’s ‘actually particular and extremely significant’ to obtain the award.

“To be quickly receiving the ‘Artist of Distinction’ honour on the Indian Movie Competition of Melbourne is deeply humbling. As an actor, I’ve all the time believed that tales have the extraordinary energy to transcend boundaries, join hearts and convey folks nearer, no matter language or geography. To have my journey be recognised on a global platform like IFFM… Each milestone in my profession has been potential due to the belief and collaboration of filmmakers, writers, administrators, fellow actors, technicians and above all, the audiences who’ve embraced my work with a lot love. This recognition belongs as a lot to them because it does to me,” he mentioned.