Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty has been honoured with the Leadership in Cinema Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026.

According to a PTI report from New Delhi, Shetty received the award on August 13 at the festival in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema and his efforts to take Indian stories to a global audience.

The honour recognises his work in promoting narratives that are rooted in Indian culture and traditions while also having a strong artistic appeal.

 Shetty has gained international attention through his work in the ‘Kantara’ franchise, which combines local culture, folklore and traditional storytelling with mainstream cinema.

The actor-filmmaker also received the Best Director Award at IFFM for ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’. The film is part of the ‘Kantara’ franchise and has further brought Shetty’s work into the international spotlight.