Bollywood enjoys a massive global fanbase, but it is rare for a senior international politician to openly declare his love for it. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has done just that.
‘I am a big Shah Rukh Khan fan’
During a chat on the Indian Link podcast, Burke got straight to the point. “I am a big Shah Rukh Khan fan, so let me start with that,” he said, setting the tone for a conversation filled with Bollywood nostalgia. His admiration does not stop at actors. Burke also spoke about his love for AR Rahman’s music, calling the Oscar-winning composer’s work among his favorites.
From Chak De! India to cheering for India in Lagaan
Talking about films, Burke revealed that Chak De! India holds a special place in his heart, especially since parts of it were shot in Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The conversation took a playful turn when he was asked whether he supported India or Australia during the film’s climactic hockey match. Laughing, Burke said, “No, no, no—although I did cheer for India in Lagaan.” He also had praise for Jodhaa Akbar, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, describing it as “a beautiful epic” and “a phenomenal film.”
‘Om Shanti Om’ tops his list
But if there is one film that stands above the rest for Burke, it is Om Shanti Om. Directed by Farah Khan and marking the debut of Deepika Padukone, the film has clearly left a lasting impression on him. He called it his “favourite film of all time” and even recalled one of its most iconic lines: “Simple happy endings... if it’s not happy, it’s not the end, the story is not over yet.” Reflecting on it, Burke added that the dialogue feels especially relevant today—proving once again that Bollywood’s charm truly knows no borders.
