Rishab Shetty Wins Best Director Honour at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

Kannada actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty has added another major international recognition to his growing list of achievements. Shetty was honoured with the Best Director award at the 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) for his work on Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1. He also received the Leadership in Cinema award at the event, giving him two significant honours at the same festival.

The awards ceremony, held in Australia, brought together several prominent names from Indian cinema. For Shetty, the recognition is particularly notable because it acknowledges his contribution not only as a performer but also as a filmmaker. His work on the Kantara franchise has established him as a distinctive creative voice in Kannada cinema, with the films attracting attention beyond their original regional audience.

Double recognition for Rishab Shetty

The Best Director award was presented to Shetty for Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, the film that expands the world introduced through the Kantara franchise. The Leadership in Cinema honour further recognised his broader contribution to filmmaking.

The latest awards add another international milestone to Shetty's career. His filmmaking has often drawn attention for combining commercial cinema with regional culture, traditions and distinctive storytelling. The recognition at Melbourne indicates the continued international interest surrounding his work.

The Kantara franchise has also played an important role in bringing stories rooted in Karnataka's cultural landscape to audiences outside the region. The original Kantara, released in 2022, became widely known for its combination of action, folklore, traditional belief systems and dramatic storytelling. Shetty directed the film and also played the lead role.

A major night for Indian cinema

The Melbourne awards ceremony featured several other notable winners. Veteran actress Rekha was selected for the Excellence in Cinema honour, while Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji received special recognition marking three decades of her career in the film industry.

The acting categories also featured major names from across Indian cinema. Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor for Kaantha, while Keerthy Suresh, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal were among the other performers recognised at the festival. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra was named Best Film.

The diverse list of winners reflects the festival's focus on Indian cinema across languages and industries. For regional filmmakers such as Shetty, such platforms provide an opportunity to take locally rooted stories to an international audience.

From regional success to global recognition

Rishab Shetty's journey as a filmmaker has been closely connected with stories that draw from Karnataka's cultural identity. His directorial career includes films such as Ricky and Kirik Party, with the latter becoming a notable success and helping establish his reputation as a director.

However, Kantara marked a major turning point. The 2022 film received widespread attention for its presentation of coastal Karnataka's traditions and folklore while maintaining the elements of a mainstream action drama. Shetty's dual role as director and lead actor made the project particularly personal to his creative vision.

The film's success subsequently led to further recognition, including national-level honours. Shetty's performance in Kantara earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, while the film itself was recognised with the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

The new Melbourne recognition comes as another indication of the lasting impact of the franchise and Shetty's filmmaking approach.

What the award means for Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1

With Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Shetty has continued developing the franchise's cinematic universe. The film's recognition at an international festival places additional attention on his direction and the larger creative ambitions behind the project.

Winning the Best Director award alongside the Leadership in Cinema honour makes the achievement especially significant. Rather than being recognised solely for a particular performance, Shetty has been acknowledged for his role in shaping the film as a filmmaker and for his wider contribution to Indian cinema.

The latest honours are therefore likely to generate further interest in Shetty's future projects and in the continuing Kantara story. As Indian regional cinema gains a larger international audience, filmmakers who combine local cultural narratives with accessible mainstream storytelling are increasingly finding recognition on global platforms.

For Rishab Shetty, the two IFFM honours represent another important chapter in a career that has moved from Kannada cinema to a much broader national and international spotlight.