Rekha turns English teacher for Pankaj Tripathi at IFFM Melbourne
Synopsis
Rekha and Pankaj Tripathi turned a festival appearance into a viral comedy sketch — with Rekha insisting on an English lesson and Tripathi pleading 'Hindi medium ka chatra hun.' The moment, captured at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, comes as Rekha is being honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award and her 1981 classic Umrao Jaan is screened at the event.
Key Takeaways
Rekha and Pankaj Tripathi shared a viral off-screen moment at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) .
A video of Rekha giving Tripathi impromptu English lessons was posted on IFFM's Instagram page .
Rekha is attending the festival for the screening of her 1981 classic Umrao Jaan , which won 4 National Film Awards including Best Actress .
The festival is honouring Rekha with the Excellence in Cinema Award for her contribution to Indian cinema.
Rekha hoisted the Indian National Flag in Melbourne on 15 August , marking India's 79th Independence Day .
The festival concludes on 23 August .
Rekha and Pankaj Tripathi delivered one of the most charming off-screen moments of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) this week, when the veteran actress spontaneously took on the role of English tutor — and Tripathi played the reluctant student to perfection.
The Moment That Went Viral
A video shared by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on its Instagram page captured Rekha instructing Tripathi to repeat her lines in English. 'Abhi main jo bolungi na Pankaj ji woh aap Angrezi main boliye,' she told him — directing him to echo whatever she said in English.
Tripathi, never one to miss a comic beat, responded with characteristic self-deprecation: 'Ma'am, main Hindi medium ka chatra hun galat bol dunga' — confessing he was a Hindi-medium student and feared getting it wrong. Rekha was undeterred, and the two eventually delivered a joint sign-off: 'To all the lovely people of Melbourne. There is no business like show business. So, welcome to our world and thank you so much for welcoming us to your world. Thank you so much. See you soon. Love you. Jai Hind.'
Why Rekha Is in Melbourne
Rekha is attending IFFM 2024 as the festival screens her landmark 1981 film Umrao Jaan — a period musical drama directed by Muzaffar Ali, based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada. The film traces the life of a Lucknow courtesan and poet and her rise to cultural prominence. At the 29th National Film Awards, the film won 4 awards, including Best Actress for Rekha — a performance widely regarded as one of the finest in Hindi cinema.
Excellence in Cinema Award
Beyond the screening, the festival is honouring Rekha with its prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award, recognising her unparalleled body of work and extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema spanning over five decades.
Independence Day Flag Hoisting
In keeping with the festival's cherished Independence Day tradition, Rekha hoisted the Indian National Flag in Melbourne on 15 August, commemorating India's 79th Independence Day alongside members of the Indian diaspora, Australian dignitaries, filmmakers, and cinema lovers.
Festival Schedule
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is set to conclude on 23 August. The event continues to serve as one of the most significant platforms for Indian cinema in the southern hemisphere, drawing both established icons and emerging voices from the film industry.
Point of View
Rekha's presence at IFFM carries real cultural weight: Umrao Jaan remains one of Hindi cinema's most studied portrayals of female agency and artistic identity, and its Melbourne screening introduces it to a new diaspora generation. The Excellence in Cinema Award is overdue recognition for a career that has consistently defied easy categorisation. Pankaj Tripathi's 'Hindi medium' quip, meanwhile, quietly lands a broader point about the linguistic hierarchies that still shape how success is perceived in Indian public life.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened between Rekha and Pankaj Tripathi in Melbourne?
At the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Rekha spontaneously gave Pankaj Tripathi an impromptu English lesson, asking him to repeat her lines in English. Tripathi jokingly resisted, saying he was a Hindi-medium student who might get it wrong, before the two delivered a joint message to the audience.
Why is Rekha attending the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne?
Rekha is attending IFFM for the special screening of her acclaimed 1981 film Umrao Jaan, directed by Muzaffar Ali. She is also being honoured with the festival's Excellence in Cinema Award for her contribution to Indian cinema.
What awards did Umrao Jaan win?
Umrao Jaan won 4 awards at the 29th National Film Awards, including Best Actress for Rekha. The 1981 period musical drama is based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada.
What is the Excellence in Cinema Award at IFFM?
The Excellence in Cinema Award is one of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne's most prestigious honours, awarded to recognise a filmmaker or actor's outstanding and lasting contribution to Indian cinema. This year, it is being presented to Rekha.
When does the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne end?
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is scheduled to conclude on 23 August.
