Indian cinema stalwarts Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar are set to deliver a keynote address at the Australian Parliament House on Aug. 13. The event precedes the 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which begins Aug. 15.
The invitation comes on the heels of a recently ratified co-production treaty between India and Australia. Mukerji and Johar will speak about cinema’s power 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 with the iconic “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” starring Mukerji, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Salman Khan, in 1998, has since become one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema, as a director, producer and media personality.
Mukerji said, “I’m proud to represent the Indian film fraternity at the Australian Parliament House and speak about the rich history of cinema that we have offered to the world at large. This is a milestone moment for our fraternity 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 right now at the forefront of shaping pop culture worldwide with our talent, our films making a mark globally. Our films bring a lot of joy to the world, our films bring a lot of color in people’s lives.”
Johar said, “I am deeply honored to be invited to speak at the Australian Parliament House. I am thrilled to be a part of this historic event and to celebrate the incredible journey of Indian cinema.”
“It’s incredible to see how far the stories we as an industry create travels, and this moment is a testament to the growing influence of the cultural impact of Indian cinema. I’m grateful to the house, the members of the parliament for extending this invite and to have me represent the rich legacy of cinema and storytelling,” Johar added.
The keynote is expected to draw members of parliament, ministers and other dignitaries.
IFFM festival director Mitu Bhowmik Lange said, “This is a landmark 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.”
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