Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne: Rani Mukerji & Karan Johar To Discuss Cinema's Power

Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar will deliver a keynote address at the Australian Parliament House on August 13. This prestigious honour comes just days before the 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which is set to begin on August 15. The two celebrities have been invited to speak on the theme of "cinema's power to bridge cultures and unite audiences across geographical boundaries," as reported by Variety.

Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar To Deliver Keynote At Australian Parliament

The invitation to Mukerji and Johar follows the recent co-production treaty between India and Australia, which aims to strengthen cultural and cinematic ties between the two nations. Expressing her pride in representing the Indian film industry, Rani 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 honour for me to speak about the growing cultural ties between Australia and India through cinema."

She emphasised the global impact of Indian cinema, stating, "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 bring a lot of joy to the world, and our films bring a lot of colour into people’s lives."

Karan Johar also expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, "I am deeply honoured to be invited to this prestigious event. I am thrilled to be a part of this historic occasion and to celebrate the incredible journey of Indian cinema."

He continued, "It’s incredible to see how far the stories we as an industry create travel, and this moment is a testament to the growing influence of the cultural impact of Indian cinema. I’m grateful to the house and the members of parliament for extending this invitation and for allowing me to represent the rich legacy of cinema and storytelling."

Mukerji and Johar will address a gathering of members of parliament, ministers, and other dignitaries, marking a significant moment in the recognition of Indian cinema on a global platform.

Mitu Bhowmik Lange, the festival director of IFFM, highlighted the importance of this event, noting that the presence of such influential figures is a testament to the festival's growing influence and recognition.