MELBOURNE, Aug 14: Actor Rani Mukerji was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by Australia’s La Trobe University on Friday, becoming the second Indian film personality after Shah Rukh Khan to receive the institution’s highest honour.
The doctorate was conferred on Mukerji during a special ceremony at Federation Square in Melbourne, held as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026.
The actor also received a special citation at the festival for excellence in acting, recognising her contribution to Indian cinema and the international audience she has built through a career spanning nearly three decades.
La Trobe University had previously honoured Shah Rukh Khan with an honorary doctorate in 2019 for his contribution to cinema and philanthropy. The university also announced a PhD scholarship in his name.
In its citation for Mukerji, La Trobe highlighted the wider influence of her work, noting that her films have moved beyond entertainment to encourage conversations around social justice, equality and inclusion. Her humanitarian commitments were also acknowledged.
Accepting the honour, Mukerji described the recognition as one of the most humbling moments of her life. She recalled that, as a young girl, she wanted to make her family and country proud and eventually found cinema to be the medium through which she could achieve that goal.
The actor said she had deliberately chosen stories that connected with her personally and had the potential to inspire and empower audiences.
Mukerji, whose filmography includes Ghulam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Saathiya, Hum Tum, Bunty Aur Babli, Yuva, Black, the Mardaani franchise and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, said she had taken risks throughout her career by selecting stories that she believed deserved to be told.
She also spoke about her efforts to portray strong Indian women through films and said she regarded cinema as a powerful medium for building empathy and understanding between cultures.
According to Mukerji, artists have a responsibility that extends beyond their performances because they can serve as cultural ambassadors. She expressed hope that her work had enabled international audiences to gain a deeper understanding of India and its women.
The actor said she was particularly proud to receive the recognition in Australia, where her films and characters have found a warm response.
At IFFM, the special citation celebrated some of Mukerji’s most memorable performances and the connection she has established with audiences worldwide.
Reflecting on her journey, she said she had never imagined when she entered the Indian film industry as a young actor that her films would eventually take her across borders and reach audiences in countries such as Australia.
La Trobe University Chancellor John Brumby AO praised Mukerji’s contribution to cinema, saying her work had transcended entertainment and contributed to discussions on equality, inclusion and social justice.
The 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is being held from August 13 to 23, bringing together Indian cinema, filmmakers and audiences while highlighting the growing international reach of Indian storytelling.