Three decades after stepping into Hindi cinema, Rani Mukerji shares an inspiring narrative of organic growth. ‘There was no master plan in films,’ the actress revealed during a reflective interview, crediting her longevity to genuine love for acting rather than career mapping.
Her cinematic voyage commenced humbly with 1996’s ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat.’ The real breakthrough arrived with ‘Ghulam’ (1997), where her confrontation scene with Aamir Khan became legendary. Romantic confections like ‘Hello Brother,’ ‘Badmaash Company,’ and family entertainers followed, but Rani craved depth.
Yash Raj Films became her creative home, yielding gems like ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,’ ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum,’ and the blockbuster ‘Veer-Zaara.’ Her portrayal of the deaf-blind Michelle in ‘Black’ (2005) redefined acting benchmarks, clinching her National Film Award.
Post-marriage and motherhood, Rani curated her choices meticulously. The ‘Mardaani’ series positioned her as an action heroine, while ‘Hichki’ (2018) humanized a teacher with Tourette syndrome. Her 2023 international project ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’ resonated globally, highlighting maternal ferocity.
As Bollywood evolves with OTT platforms, Rani remains relevant. ‘Adaptation is key,’ she notes. Her journey—from ingénue to icon—proves that passion sustains longer than any blueprint.