Renowned Bollywood actress, writer, and social justice advocate Kalki Koechlin has been named an Honorary Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London. The prestigious accolade was conferred during a recent degree convocation ceremony in London, recognising her remarkable contributions to the arts and tireless advocacy for social justice.
A proud alumna of Goldsmiths, Kalki studied at the institution before embarking on a distinguished career spanning theatre and film. Her breakthrough performance in Dev.D earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and catapulted her to fame. She went on to deliver notable supporting performances in hit films such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). However, Koechlin’s talent reaches beyond mainstream cinema. She has taken on powerful lead roles in independent productions like Margarita, With a Straw (2014), earning a National Film Award for her portrayal of a young woman living with cerebral palsy. From playing edgy characters such as Sky, a music producer in Gully Boy (2019), to complex roles like Lisa, a mysterious music teacher in Ek Thi Daayan (2013), Koechlin continues to captivate audiences with her versatile performances.kalki is famous for doing roles portraying strong female characters which resist the conventional Indian norms and practices
On stage, Kalki’s prowess as both a writer and performer has earned her significant acclaim, including the MetroPlus Playwright Award for her outstanding contributions to theatre.
In 2018, her impact on arts and culture was internationally recognised when she was awarded the Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Celebrations at Goldsmiths are set to continue until 17 January, 2025, with other luminaries receiving Honorary Fellowships. These include acclaimed author Evie Wyld, known for her critically praised novels, and Caleb Azumah Nelson, whose debut work Open Water has cemented his status as a rising literary force.
On the professional front, Kalki is set to make her debut in Tamil cinema with Nesippaya, playing a lawyer in the film directed by Vishnuvardhan. Music for the project is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, heightening anticipation among her fans.
This new honour from her alma mater adds yet another feather to Kalki Koechlin’s cap, further cementing her status as a multifaceted icon in both the arts and advocacy spheres.
