‘Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox’ Opens IFFM 2025, Celebrates Working Woman’s Journey

Tilottama Shome starrer ‘Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox’ to inaugurate Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025, first screening in Australia after acclaimed premiere in Berlin.

Baksho Bondi to Open Indian Film Fest Melbourne

After a successful world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival 2025, Bengali film ‘Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox’ produced by Tilottama Shome and Jim Sarbh has now been selected to open the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025. With this, the film will make its official premiere in Australia.

Directed by Tanushree Das and Soumyanand Saha, the film stars Tilottama Shome as ‘Maya’. Set in a dusty suburb of Kolkata, the film beautifully portrays the story of a working woman's life, her love, her courage, and her silent strength to fight.

The opening night of the festival will be on 14th August in Melbourne, marking the beginning of a celebration of India's deep and human stories.

Tillotama Shome said about the journey of the film, “Baksho Bondi is very close to my heart. Playing Maya, I learnt to listen to the silences, find strength in the little things, and understand how in a world where women are often overlooked, their courage to fight silently shapes their lives. Bringing Maya's story to Melbourne after Berlin is special for me because the strength and sense of inclusiveness that Mitu (IFFM Director) gives is amazing. The film is a tribute to working women, dusty afternoons in Barrackpore, and the courage that remains even when no one is watching.”

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Director Melbourne Indian Film Festival, said, “It is an honour for us to open IFFM 2025 with a film like ‘Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox’. The film showcases the power of Indian independent cinema and tells touching stories that are both personal and connect on a global level. Tillotama’s performance as Maya is outstanding, and Tanushree and Saumyanand have created a film with such honesty and beauty that it captures the spirit of hope and survival. We are proud to showcase such stories at IFFM, and we are delighted that Australian audiences will see this beautiful film on the opening night.”

‘Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox’ further strengthens IFFM’s commitment to bringing real-life stories to the cinematic forefront and makes for a perfect start to the 2025 edition.

In its 16th year, IFFM is the largest celebration of Indian films outside India. This year's nominations reflect the depth, diversity, and power of Indian stories. The festival, supported by the Victorian Government, will run from August 14 to August 24, and will honour the best work across film and OTT categories at the IFFM Awards Night on August 15.

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