MELBOURNE, Aug 15: Actor Rani Mukerji has been conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by Australia’s La Trobe University, becoming the second Indian film personality after Shah Rukh Khan to receive the university’s highest honour.
The honorary degree was presented to Mukerji at a special ceremony at Federation Square in Melbourne on Friday as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026.
Mukerji was also recognised at the festival with a special citation for excellence in acting, honouring her three-decade-long career and the international reach of her work.
La Trobe University had earlier awarded an honorary doctorate to Shah Rukh Khan in 2019 for his contributions to cinema and philanthropy and subsequently announced a PhD scholarship in his name.
The university said Mukerji’s body of work had gone beyond entertainment, contributing to conversations around social justice, equality and inclusion. It also acknowledged her commitment to humanitarian causes.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Mukerji said receiving the honorary doctorate was among the most humbling moments of her life. She recalled that as a child she wanted to make her family and country proud, eventually finding cinema to be the medium through which she could achieve that.
Mukerji said she had consistently chosen stories that resonated with her and had the potential to inspire and empower audiences.
She described herself as a risk-taker from the beginning of her career and said she had preferred films built around stories that she felt needed to be told.
The actor said she had sought to portray strong girls and women through films that could create an impact and contribute meaningfully to society.
Mukerji also highlighted the power of cinema to build empathy and understanding across cultures. She said artists carried a responsibility beyond their performances and could serve as ambassadors of their culture.
She expressed pride in seeing Indian cinema and culture being celebrated in Australia, saying she hoped her films had helped audiences understand India and Indian women better.
At IFFM, the special citation for excellence in acting recognised Mukerji’s memorable characters and the connection she has developed with audiences around the world over her three-decade career.
Mukerji said she never imagined when she entered the Indian film industry as a young actor that her films and characters would reach audiences across oceans and receive such warmth in Australia.
La Trobe University Chancellor John Brumby AO praised Mukerji’s contribution, saying her work had transcended entertainment and encouraged important conversations on social justice, equality and inclusion.
The 2026 edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is being held from August 13 to 23, bringing together Indian films and filmmakers while celebrating the growing global reach of Indian storytelling.
