Indian film stars Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar will deliver a keynote address at the Australian Parliament House on August 13. The event precedes the 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which begins on August 15.
The invitation follows a recently ratified co-production agreement between India and Australia. Mukerji and Johar will speak about the power of cinema to bridge cultures and unite audiences across geographical boundaries.
Mukerji, known for her versatile performances in films like ‘Black’, ‘Hichki’ and ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway”, has been a prominent figure in Bollywood since the late 1990s. Johar, who made his directorial debut in 1998 with the iconic ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, starring Mukerji, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Salman Khan, has since become one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema, as a director and producer. and media personality.
Mukerji said, “I am proud to represent the Indian film fraternity at the Australian Parliament House and speak about the rich film history that we have brought to the world at large. This is a milestone for our brotherhood and it would be an honor for me to speak about the growing cultural ties between Australia and India through cinema.”
She added, “Indian cinema, comprising Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Hindi and others, is currently at the forefront of shaping pop culture worldwide with our talent, our films that mark a global. Our films bring a lot of joy to the world, our films bring a lot of color to people’s lives.”
Johar said: “I am deeply honored to have been invited to speak at the Australian Parliament House. I am thrilled to be a part of this historic event and celebrate the incredible journey of Indian cinema.”
“It’s incredible to see how far the stories we create as an industry travel, and this moment is a testament to the growing influence of Indian cinema’s cultural impact. I am grateful to the House and Members of Parliament for extending this invitation and allowing me to represent the rich heritage of cinema and storytelling,” Johar added.
The keynote is expected to attract parliamentarians, ministers and other dignitaries.
IFFM Festival Director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said: “This is a milestone year for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne as we celebrate our 15th year. Having Rani Mukherji and Karan Johar as keynote speakers at the Australian Parliament House is a testament to the festival’s growing influence and recognition.”
