Dr Rupali S. Bhamare Brings Ambedkarite Advocacy and Lived Experience to Resisting Casteism in Australia
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Melbourne-based academic, researcher and social advocate appears in new documentary screening at Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
Melbourne, July 2026: Dr Rupali S. Bhamare, Unit Leader at Monash College, Monash University, is a key participant in Resisting Casteism in Australia, a documentary by filmmaker, journalist and academic Dr Vikrant Kishore. The film will screen at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at 12:15 pm at Cinema Nova, Melbourne, followed by a Q&A with the director and contributors.
Dr Bhamare is a researcher, academician and social advocate with more than 25 years of professional experience across academia, consultancy and research leadership. She has been engaged in social justice work with a focus on gender equality, women’s rights and community empowerment. She has also been a committed Ambedkarite activist in Australia for over 15 years, advancing the vision and philosophy of Dr B. R. Ambedkar through community engagement and advocacy.
She is the Founder of JanKalyan Charitable Foundation and Director of Navyana Buddhist Charitable Organisation, through which she continues to support initiatives linked to social equality, education and community participation.
Speaking about her involvement in the documentary, Dr Bhamare said:
“I first learned about the film through Dr Vikrant Kishore. I was drawn to the idea of documenting and sharing the real experiences of people who have faced caste-based discrimination. I felt this was an important step towards raising awareness and encouraging meaningful conversations, which led me to participate.”
For Dr Bhamare, caste discrimination remains a continuing concern for migrant communities, particularly as caste identities and practices travel with people across borders.
“Casteism is increasingly becoming a concern as Indian migrant communities grow across different countries,” she said. “Migration offers opportunities for cultural exchange and social mobility, but caste-based attitudes can still lead to exclusion and division. Addressing this through awareness, dialogue and education is essential for equality and social harmony.”
Reflecting on the significance of the film, she added:
“This documentary shows real experiences of caste-based discrimination faced by people in the diaspora. It reflects my own experiences and those of many others. It also provides a space to share these perspectives with a wider audience and encourage understanding of its impact on individuals and communities.”
During filming, Dr Bhamare said the conversations often brought back difficult memories connected to caste-based exclusion:
“These discussions bring back painful memories of humiliation and discrimination faced by my community. It reminds me how caste has limited opportunities and affected social and economic progress for many people. It also reinforces the need to work towards a society where everyone is treated with dignity and equal opportunity.”
Dr Bhamare hopes the documentary will encourage greater awareness and responsibility among audiences:
“I hope audiences gain a clearer understanding of caste-based discrimination and how it affects individuals, families and communities. Most importantly, I hope it inspires people to work towards equality and inclusion, especially for marginalised and socio-economically disadvantaged communities.”
She also calls for more open discussion and stronger institutional responses in Australia:
“I would like to see more open and informed conversations about caste in Australia through education and community dialogue. There is also a need for stronger legal protections and action so that those affected have access to appropriate support and justice.”
Dr Vikrant Kishore said Dr Bhamare’s contribution brings together academic experience, advocacy and lived engagement:
“Dr Rupali S. Bhamare brings clarity and conviction to the film. Her perspective helps connect personal experience with wider questions of equality, dignity and community responsibility.”
Resisting Casteism in Australia follows a 3,500-kilometre journey through Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour, where Indian-Australian contributors reflect on caste, migration, identity and belonging. The film uses personal reflection and testimony to examine how caste-based discrimination may continue in diasporic life.
Screening Details
Film: Resisting Casteism in Australia
Director: Dr Vikrant Kishore
Festival: Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
Date: Sunday, 19 July 2026
Time: 12:15 pm
Venue: Cinema Nova, Melbourne
Running Time: 61 minutes
Language: English
Classification: E15+
Film Website: https://www.vikrantkishore.com/resistingcasteism
Media Contact:Dr Vikrant Kishore
Comments