Rani Mukerji has added another major honour to her three-decade career, receiving a special recognition for excellence in acting at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026.
According to NDTV, the actor received a special citation celebrating her memorable performances and lasting contribution to Indian cinema. The honour also recognises her role in taking Hindi-language stories and characters to audiences beyond India.
Rani attended the festival in a geranium-red monochrome co-ord set as she marked the latest milestone in her career.
Across her career, she has portrayed women who challenged social expectations and found strength while facing difficult circumstances. Her performances have often been noted for their emotional depth and authenticity.
Her filmography includes Black, Hum Tum, Yuva, Bunty Aur Babli, No One Killed Jessica, Hichki, the Mardaani franchise and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.
Accepting the honour, Rani recalled entering the industry as a young actor and said she never imagined her films and characters would take her around the world. She thanked Australian audiences for their warmth and said entertaining people globally through cinema has been one of the greatest gifts of her profession.
Rani also praised Australia’s long-standing embrace of Indian cinema, saying storytelling can bring different cultures together. She said films can cross borders and make emotions such as love, laughter and hope universally understood.
Reflecting on her journey, she said an actor’s work begins in front of the camera but gains meaning when it reaches audiences’ hearts. She added that she feels humbled that her films, characters and voice have travelled beyond India.
Rani said she has been fortunate to portray women who lived boldly, loved deeply, confronted their fears and remained confident in themselves. Each character, she added, has influenced her and helped her grow both as an actor and as a person.
The recognition further highlights the international reach of Indian cinema and Rani’s enduring connection with audiences beyond the traditional Hindi film market.
