At a promotional event for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, director Karan Johar said he had been surprised by Bollywood's Australian reach.
"Everybody was watching the movies through other means, and now you have cinemas next door to your own residence where you can watch them," the My Name is Khan director told reporters on Tuesday.
"It's crazy ... it's the third most important market."
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji will attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
The festival is the largest annual celebration of Indian cinema outside of the country and has featured some of its biggest film stars since it was founded in 2010.
Its success showed how important the Indian community was to Australia, founder and director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said.
"Slowly, slowly from being more on the fringes we are becoming a part of the Australian mainstream pop culture," Ms Lange told AAP.
"The India-Australia relationship has never been stronger, India is becoming a very important partner for Australia."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese showed his appreciation for India and excitement for the festival, recalling his time in the country for the 2023 G20 summit.
"I'd love to come," he said.
This year's event will be attended by Bollywood superstars including actress Rani Mukerji and action star Ram Charan, who will perform his iconic dance from the 2022 film RRR.
Indigenous singer Mitch Tambo will also perform alongside Indian singer Sona Mohapatra at the festival's awards night.Â
The festival will be held from August 15 to 25.
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