BIFFes 2026: ‘Sabar Bonda’ wins Best Indian Film; ‘Vanya’ adjudged best Kannada movie

Sabar Bonda, a Marathi film, written and directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, which follows a man from the city who returns to his hometown following a death in the family, and reconnects romantically with his childhood friend Balya, won the best Indian Film honour at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) that ended on Friday. Badiger Devendra’s Vanya won the best film in the Kannada segment.

Music composer and songwriter Hamsalekha was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaking on the occasion, Hamsalekha said even though the film festival has come to an end, there is no end to art itself. “Art is the beginning and not an end. Cinema is a collective art form. I am very happy to receive the award today. These film festivals are a testament to the growth of cinema every day. Films like KGF and Kanthara have propelled Kannada films onto the global stage,” he said. We need to protect democracy through art, because art has the capacity and responsibility to do it, he added.

Malayalam film Moham, directed by Fazir Razak, won second place in the best Indian film category, and Malayalam film Kaadu, directed by Suneesh Vadakumbadan, was adjudged third in the segment. Other winners include Lost Land Harawatan (Japanese), Shape of Momo (Nepali), and The Deepest Space in Us (Japanese) in the Asian cinema competition. The Republic of Pipolipinas (The Philippines) won a special jury mention and Marathi film Gondhal won the FIPRESCI Award.

Badiger Devendra’s Vanya, which premiered at the 56th International Film Festival in Goa, won the best Kannada film. The film portrays a father and daughter’s emotional fight to protect their forest homeland from the corporate mafia, oppression, and political exploitation. Kannada films Nam Saali, directed by Anil Revoor and produced by senior theatre artist Shankarayya R. Ghanti and Ravana Rajyadalli Navadampatigalu, directed by Ranga, won second and third places respectively.

Actor and director Prakash Raj, brand ambassador of the festival, said, all the languages in the world are bound by emotions because the heart of every language is its emotion. “Cinema is also a language, and we celebrate every emotion through cinema. We need these film festivals to provide a platform for people to come with different stories from different parts of the world. We need cinema to bring about issues that are contemporary to the society,” he said.

Festival director P.B. Murali said the eight-day film festival witnessed a footfall of over one lakh people. “We had 30-plus restored classics, 40-plus Asian films and created a community viewing experience this year,” he said.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao, speaking on the occasion, said every film should be released without censorship. “There should be freedom of expression in art. Kannada films should be also open and talk about every issue,” he said.

The film festival, which began on January 29, saw around 300 films from 70 countries. This year’s theme, Stree Yendare Ashte Sake (Is it enough to be a woman?) revolves around women’s empowerment.