Rani proudly salutes the Indian flag in Melbourne

Rani Mukerji, who was in Melbourne, Australia, over the weekend, was in the city to attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), where she received the Best Actress award for Hichki. While she admits that getting an award in a foreign country is always special, the fact that this is her first award after becoming a mother makes it all the more appealing, says Rani.

“For me, Hichki is a film that’s important for Indian cinema and for everybody, because it raises awareness on Tourette’s Syndrome, which many people aren’t aware of,” says Rani. “The film raised that awareness and furthered the cause. This only reinforces the fact that cinema is a universal language and it doesn’t have any boundaries. It transcends borders. It proves that we are now a part of global cinema, where people watch a movie irrespective of what the language is. Also, to receive an award far away from home and this being my first award for Hichki and the first award after becoming a mother — there are many firsts attached to it and that makes it extremely special,” adds the actor.

As the chief guest at the event, Rani was invited to hoist the Indian flag at the Federation Square. She says, “I’ve always looked at my body of work in the context of the love I’ve received from the audience. The fact that I hoisted an Indian flag, so many miles away from India, is only because my fans have given me this opportunity.” Sounding moved, the actor says, “I felt so much pride hoisting our flag and singing the Indian National Anthem in Melbourne. It felt surreal.” Accompanying her on this trip was her twoyear-old daughter Adira.

PHOTO: WILLIAM WEST/AFP Rani Mukerji at Federation Square in Melbourne