Engaging with Indian Cinema: Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi at La Trobe
In 2018, Bollywood icons Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi visited La Trobe University, engaging students and celebrating the University’s longstanding connections with India’s film and academic community.
In their only Australian university appearance, La Trobe University welcomed Bollywood icons Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi for an exclusive screening of Sanju at the Melbourne Campus in Bundoora. Their visit highlighted La Trobe’s ongoing engagement with Indian cinema and the Indian community in Australia.
As part of their visit in 2018, Mr. Hirani and Mr. Joshi took part in an interactive discussion with students as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), led by La Trobe’s Hindi Language, Cinema and Literature lecturer, Dr. Ian Woolford. Before the screening, the event offered students and the audience a rare opportunity to hear first-hand insights into filmmaking, storytelling, and the creative process behind Sanju.
"It’s always an enriching experience when people of different diaspora watch our films," said Mr. Hirani.
"I’m grateful to have been part of this special screening at La Trobe, seeing the reactions of those who are new to Hindi cinema and Sanjay Dutt’s story."
Watch the full conversation with the stars of Sanju at La Trobe University.
Celebrating La Trobe’s Connection with India
Former Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar highlighted La Trobe’s strong historical ties with India and the Indian community:
"La Trobe has been proud to build lasting partnerships with India since the late 1960s," he said.
"We’ve strengthened relationships with leading Indian institutions and introduced new scholarship opportunities, including Collaborative Research and PhD scholarships. Hosting Mr. Hirani and Mr. Joshi adds to the list of prominent Indian figures who have visited La Trobe, including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Kapil Dev, Malaika Arora Khan, Vidya Balan, and Amitabh Bachchan."
La Trobe’s connection with Bollywood extends beyond special events. Its campus has served as a backdrop for films such as Salaam Namaste, and the University is the only institution in Victoria offering Hindi studies.
About Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi
Mr. Hirani is renowned for box office hits such as Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, P.K., and 3 Idiots. Mr. Joshi, a national award-winning writer and literature professor at Otterbein University, Ohio, co-wrote the scripts for Sanju, 3 Idiots, and Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
Sanju tells the real-life story of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, exploring his fame, challenges with addiction, brushes with the law, and personal loss. The film is currently one of Bollywood’s highest-grossing releases.
The visit reflects La Trobe University’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and academic collaboration between Australia and India, offering students immersive experiences and insights into the global film industry.
Bollywood icons Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi joined La Trobe’s Hindi Language, Cinema and Literature lecturer, Dr Ian Woolford, for an interactive discussion and exclusive screening of Sanju.
