Rani Mukerji honoured with Doctorate for contribution to Indian cinema

Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji has received an honourary Doctor of Letters degree from Australia’s La Trobe University in recognition of her three-decade contribution to Indian cinema.

The honour was conferred at a special event held in Melbourne as part of the 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on Friday (August 14).

Accepting the degree, Mukerji said she had never pursued awards or academic honours during her acting career. Her focus, she said, had always been on portraying characters that could leave a lasting impression on audiences.

She described cinema as a powerful tool for social change and said one of her greatest achievements was using that influence in a positive way.

Reflecting on her preference for strong female characters, Mukerji said many of her roles represented more than fictional stories, giving voice to countless women whose experiences and struggles often go unheard.

She said contributing, even in a small way, to changing perceptions of women was among the most meaningful aspects of her career.

Rani Mukerji made her film debut in 1996 and went on to earn critical acclaim in films including Black, No One Killed Jessica, Hichki, Mardaani and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Alongside her film career, she has also been involved in charitable initiatives focused on children’s healthcare, child rights and access to medical services.