A restored version of India’s first LGBTQ film, Badnaam Basti will be screened at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IIFM) 2025. It will be showcased during the LGBTQ+ Pride Night scheduled for August 22.

As per a press release, IFFM will screen nearly 75 films that reflect themes of inclusivity spanning gender, race, sexuality, disability, and women’s representation. The Pride Night will feature the screening of Badnaam Basti followed by the Australian premiere of We Are Faheem and Karun, a tender queer love story directed by acclaimed filmmaker Onir.

Speaking about the festival's commitment to representation, IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said "At IFFM, we believe cinema has the power to connect and create conversations. It is our responsibility to reflect on the world we live in, with all its beautiful diversity. This Pride Night is not just about celebrating queer identity but also reclaiming the space that has long been denied to LGBTQIA+ narratives in Indian cinema. Through films like Badnaam Basti and We Are Faheem and Karun, we honour the past and embrace a future of inclusive storytelling."

Badnaam Basti is a 1971 film directed by Prem Kapoor, adapted from a Hindi novel by Kamaleshwar. The film’s print was discovered in 2019. It tells the story of a truck driver who saves a woman from assault and later hires a temple worker which creates an interconnected relationship between the three.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is set to return for its 16th edition from 14 to 24 August 2025.