The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 will have a retrospective on Ritwik Ghatak, commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of the cinematic pioneer.

A towering figure in Indian cinema, Ghatak’s contributions as a director, screenwriter, actor, and playwright have left an indelible mark on world cinema, even though much of his work was not fully recognised during his lifetime.

Known for his deep engagement with partition, social realities, and feminism, Ghatak’s films like Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960), Subarnarekha (1965), and Komal Gandhar (1961) are now celebrated as masterpieces. His distinctive voice and revolutionary visual storytelling shaped the narrative of Indian cinema in ways that are still being studied and appreciated by filmmakers and scholars across the globe.

Honoured with the Padma Shri and multiple National Awards, Ghatak is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. IFFM’s 2025 edition will feature a dedicated retrospective of his landmark films, panel discussions, and academic tributes aimed at celebrating his legacy and introducing his work to new global audiences.

Speaking about the tribute, IFFM Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said, “Ritwik Ghatak was a visionary far ahead of his time. His cinema dealt with trauma, displacement, and identity with such poetic depth and urgency that it resonates even more today. At IFFM, we believe it is our responsibility to bring global attention to icons like Ritwik Ghatak, whose work shaped the conscience of Indian filmmaking. This centenary celebration is not just a tribute, it’s a reminder of the kind of stories we must continue to tell.”

The centenary celebration will be one of the cornerstone events of IFFM 2025, bringing together cinephiles, historians, and contemporary filmmakers to honour a legend who redefined the language of cinema.