Inspiring Students and Culture: Malaika Arora Khan at La Trobe
In 2011, Bollywood star Malaika Arora Khan visited La Trobe University as part of its partnership with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), inspiring students and staff while fostering cultural and academic collaboration between Australia and India.
During her visit to La Trobe University’s Melbourne campus, Malaika Arora Khan shared her journey in the film industry, including her debut as a producer with the blockbuster Dabangg, the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2010 that featured her hit song Munni Badnaam Hui. Her visit was part of La Trobe’s long-standing partnership with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), “Bollywood and Beyond.”
Widely recognised as one of India’s most stylish celebrities and accomplished dancers, Malaika rose to fame as a host on MTV and has since become a household name in Bollywood. She engaged students in a lively Q&A session during her La Trobe visit, offering insights into her career and sharing advice for international students, especially those from India studying in Australia.
“Hats off to each one of you,” she said. “I tried doing that when I worked with MTV. I had a job opportunity where they asked me to move to either Singapore or New York. I went for a week and I ran back home because I missed home so much and I was miserable without friends and family. But hats off to you guys. You really do a fantastic job being away from home and making your country proud.”
Malaika was also introduced to Matilda, a robot with emotional intelligence developed by La Trobe’s Research Centre for Computers, Communication and Social Innovations, showing her interest in the University’s cutting-edge research and innovation initiatives.
The visit concluded with a presentation of official gifts from La Trobe’s Chief Financial Officer, Pranay Lodhiya, including a University t-shirt. When asked to wear it in India where the press could see, Malaika playfully promised, “That I’ll wear it the next time I come here.”
Continuing Partnerships and Impact
Malaika’s connection with La Trobe has continued well beyond her 2011 visit. In February 2020, she attended the presentation of the inaugural Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarship in Mumbai, India, celebrating the award to Indian student Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi. Gopika later commenced her PhD research in Melbourne, focusing on the rapid detection of in-field pathogens in honeybees to help protect ecosystems.
Her ongoing engagement with La Trobe reflects the strong cultural and academic ties between India and Australia, and her visit remains a cherished memory for many in the University community.