Melbourne: Veteran actress Rekha shared a light-hearted moment with actor Pankaj Tripathi at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), briefly taking on the role of an English teacher and coaching him to deliver a message to the Melbourne audience.
In a video shared by IFFM, Rekha asked Tripathi to repeat an English sentence after her. When the actor struggled with the exercise, he jokingly told her that he was a “Hindi medium” student and might pronounce it incorrectly. Rekha, however, encouraged him to try again.
The duo eventually delivered a joint message welcoming the people of Melbourne and thanking them for their hospitality. Their playful exchange quickly became a highlight of the festival, showcasing the warm camaraderie between the two acclaimed performers.
Rekha is attending IFFM this year as her iconic 1981 film ‘Umrao Jaan’ is being screened at the festival. She is also set to receive the Excellence in Cinema Award in recognition of her contribution to Indian cinema.
The veteran actress is also scheduled to hoist the Indian national flag in Melbourne as part of the festival’s Independence Day celebrations, alongside members of the Indian diaspora, Australian dignitaries, filmmakers and cinema personalities.
Meanwhile, Pankaj Tripathi is representing his work at the festival, adding to the strong Indian cinema presence at the annual event.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will continue until August 23, bringing together Indian films, filmmakers and artists for a celebration of the country’s diverse cinema and culture.