Melbourne

Actor Rani Mukerji was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by Australia's La Trobe University on Friday, making her 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 here as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026.

She was also honoured at the festival with a special citation for excellence in acting, recognising her three-decade career and the global reach of her work.

La Trobe had previously conferred an honorary doctorate on Khan in 2019 for his contribution to cinema and philanthropy and announced a PhD scholarship in his name.

The university said Mukerji's body of work had gone beyond entertainment to spark conversations around social justice, equality and inclusion, while recognising her commitment to humanitarian causes.

"Receiving this honorary doctorate from La Trobe University is one of the most humbling moments of my life," Mukerji, known for movies such as "Ghulam", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Saathiya", "Hum Tum", "Bunty Aur Babli", "Yuva", "Black", "Mardaani" franchise and "Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway", said in statement.

"When I was a little girl, like everyone else, I wanted to make my family and my country proud. I did not know how to do this but I knew if I try hard enough to be good at something, my parents would be happy. Cinema became the medium to achieve this," she added.

Mukerji said she had consistently chosen stories that resonated with her and could inspire or empower audiences.

"I have been a risk taker right from the start of my career! I have always chosen films that have made an impact in my heart first!! A story that needs to be told! A story that would inspire and empower!" she said.

"I have always silently worked to represent the powerful girls and women of India through cinema that has its heart in the right place," she added.

The actor said she viewed cinema as a means of creating empathy and understanding across cultures.

"For someone who has always believed that films can change hearts before they change minds, this recognition means more than I can possibly express," she said.

"Every artist carries a responsibility beyond performance. We quietly become ambassadors of our culture," she added.

Mukerji said she hoped her films had helped audiences understand India and its women better and encouraged dialogue and empathy.

"I proudly accept this honour not only as Rani Mukerji, but also as an Indian who is proud to see her culture, her cinema being celebrated here in Australia," she said.

At IFFM, Mukerji's special citation for excellence in acting celebrated her memorable characters and the global audience connect she has built over three decades.

"When I entered the Indian film industry as a young girl, I never imagined that one day my films and the characters that I have been fortunate enough to play, would take me across oceans and that people in a beautiful country like Australia would embrace me with so much warmth," she said.

"Entertaining people across the world with my cinema is the greatest gift this profession has given me," she added.

La Trobe University Chancellor John Brumby AO said Mukerji's work had "transcended entertainment to spark important conversations around social justice, equality and inclusion".

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The 2026 edition of IFFM is being held from August 13 to 23, bringing together Indian films and filmmakers and celebrating the global reach of Indian storytelling.