3 min readPanajiUpdated: Nov 24, 2025 12:51 AM IST
Griffiths is in Panaji for the International Film Festival of India, where the restored cut of her 1994 debut film, Muriel’s Wedding, was screened Saturday. (Express photo)
WHEN Rachel Griffiths stepped out for tea with co-star Om Puri on the first day of My Son the Fanatic’s shoot in England’s Halifax, they found themselves mobbed by fans from the town’s sizable South Asian community.
“Hundreds of people surrounded us. Among them was a man who was crying and telling how he loved Om more than his own brother, as the actor had shown what it means to be humane. I thought that was the greatest compliment an actor can receive,” Griffiths recalls.
Working on the 1997 film, a powerful immigrant tale based on the eponymous short story by Hanif Kureishi, was an “eye-opening experience”, the Australian actor told The Indian Express. “…because we in Australia weren’t telling the stories of immigration and how the next generation was feeling the way those in Britain did.”
Griffiths is in Panaji for the International Film Festival of India, where the restored cut of her 1994 debut film, Muriel’s Wedding, was screened Saturday. Griffiths plays Rhonda Epinstall, the best friend of Toni Collette’s socially awkward protagonist, in the acclaimed comedy-drama.
Now, says the actor-turned-director, she is open to working on a project that captures the Indian-Australian experience. “It’s something not many films have tried to narrate. My Melbourne, an initiative by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, is an important movie that makes the invisible lives more visible.”
In My Son the Fanatic, Griffiths plays a sex worker who befriends a Pakistani taxi driver, Parvez, played by Puri. On the set, she recalls, Puri called her “Rachel G” and she called the late actor “Om ji”. Her American film debut, My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), released the same year.
The Golden Globe-winning actor, who has appeared in popular American shows such as Six Feet Under (2001-2005) and Brothers and Sisters (2006-2011), moved to Australia after living in the US for over a decade.
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“I decided to return to Australia to tell Australian stories. Your life is not in your own hands when you’re working on long-running television shows,” Griffiths says. “It’s one’s responsibility to tell one’s own national stories. Today, Australian stories are told by a diverse group of Australians that reflects who lives in the country now.”
Some of the Indian movies that Griffiths has watched and enjoyed are RRR (2022) and Dangal (2016). She says: “Dangal was a big inspiration for my film Ride Like a Girl (2019).” The actor hoped that after the agreements signed between India and Australia, the distribution of Australian movies would become easier.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
