“Rani Mukerji: Versatile Bollywood Actress, Leaves an Indelible Mark with Impactful Performances in the Indian Film Industry.”
Born Name : 21 March 1978 (age 45)
Place : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Alma mater :
SNDT Women’s University
Occupation : Actress
Years active : 1996– Present
Spouse :
Aditya Chopra (M. 2014)
Children : 01
Parent :
Father : Ram Mukherjee
Relatives :
Mukherjee-Samarth family
About
Rani Mukerji, born on March 21, 1978, is a versatile Indian actress renowned for her work in Hindi films. With a career marked by numerous accolades, including seven Filmfare Awards, Mukerji’s journey began with roles in her father’s Bengali film “Biyer Phool” and “Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat” in 1996. Her breakthrough came in 1998 with the success of “Ghulam” and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.”
Despite a brief setback, 2002 proved pivotal with her role in Yash Raj Films’ “Saathiya.” Mukerji gained prominence starring in successful romantic films like “Chalte Chalte,” “Hum Tum,” “Veer-Zaara,” and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,” as well as the crime comedy “Bunty Aur Babli.” Notable performances include the political drama “Yuva” and the drama “Black.”
While her collaboration with Yash Raj Films faced criticism in the late 2000s, Mukerji reclaimed success with the biographical thriller “No One Killed Jessica” in 2011. Subsequent hits include “Talaash,” “Mardaani,” “Mardaani 2,” “Hichki,” and “Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.”
Beyond acting, Mukerji engages in humanitarian causes, advocating for women and children. She’s participated in concert tours, judged the reality show “Dance Premier League” in 2009, and is married to filmmaker Aditya Chopra, with whom she shares a daughter.
Early life and work
Born in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) on March 21, 1978, Rani Mukerji hails from a film-oriented family. Her father, Ram Mukherjee, a former film director and co-founder of Filmalaya Studios, and her mother, Krishna Mukherjee, a former playback singer, shaped her upbringing.
With an elder brother, Raja Mukherjee, a film producer and director, and connections like her maternal aunt, Debashree Roy, and cousin, Kajol, also prominent in the film industry, Mukerji was surrounded by cinematic influences.
Despite her familial ties to the Indian film industry, Mukerji initially lacked interest in pursuing a film career, expressing a desire to be distinctive. She received her education at Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu and earned a degree in Home Science from SNDT Women’s University.
A trained Odissi dancer since the tenth grade, Mukerji actively participates in the annual Durga Puja celebrations with her family in Santacruz, emphasizing her Hindu faith.
In 1994, Mukerji declined director Salim Khan’s offer for the lead role in “Aa Gale Lag Jaa” due to her father’s reservations about a full-time film career at a young age. However, at 18, following her mother’s suggestion, Mukerji embraced acting with leading roles in “Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat” and her father’s Bengali film “Biyer Phool,” both released in October 1996. Despite the commercial failure of the former, Mukerji’s performance earned her recognition at the Screen Awards.
Post the film’s underwhelming box office performance, Mukerji briefly returned to college but was inspired by her cousin Kajol’s success in Hindi films. Motivated, she decided to pursue a full-time career in the industry, marking the beginning of her journey in Bollywood.
Career
Breakthrough and initial struggle (1998–2001)
In 1998, Rani Mukerji had a breakthrough with the action film “Ghulam,” starring alongside Aamir Khan. Despite her brief role, the film became her first commercial success, largely due to the popularity of the song “Aati Kya Khandala.” That same year, she played a pivotal role in Karan Johar’s directorial debut, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” originally intended for Twinkle Khanna.
This film not only solidified her position in Bollywood but also earned Mukerji the Best Supporting Actress award at the Filmfare Awards. Her portrayal of Tina, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, showcased her versatility and received critical acclaim. However, subsequent films like “Mehndi” (1998) and “Hello Brother” (1999) failed to make a significant impact on her career.
In the year 2000, Mukerji shifted her focus to avoid being typecast as a conventional Hindi film heroine. She took on challenging roles in films like “Badal” and “Bichhoo,” both male-centric action dramas with Bobby Deol, receiving mixed reviews.
In Kamal Haasan’s “Hey Ram,” Mukerji played a poignant role in a partly fictionalized account of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
Despite its controversial subject matter, the film received critical acclaim and was India’s official entry to the Oscars. Mukerji’s versatility continued to shine as she embraced diverse roles in films like “Hadh Kar Di Aapne,” “Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye,” and “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega.”
In 2001, Mukerji faced delays and controversies surrounding “Chori Chori Chupke Chupke,” a film centered around surrogacy. Despite challenges, her dedication to diverse roles persisted in films like “Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai” and “Nayak: The Real Hero.”
However, critical reviews suggested that many of her post-“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” roles were deemed inconsequential. Nevertheless, Mukerji’s commitment to versatility and her ability to take on challenging characters continued to shape her evolving career in the ever-changing landscape of Bollywood.
Established actress (2002–2006)
In 2002, Rani Mukerji teamed up with Yash Raj Films, and that partnership brought us two films: “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” with Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor, and the Tamil romance remake “Saathiya.” While “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” didn’t do so well, “Saathiya” changed the game.
Rani’s role as Suhani Sharma got her a Best Actress nomination at the 48th Filmfare Awards and the Critics Award for Best Actress. Even though she wasn’t initially keen on remaking an already successful film, her convincing performance made “Saathiya” a commercial hit.
Fast forward to 2003, and Rani was on fire. She stepped in for Aishwarya Rai in “Chalte Chalte” opposite Shah Rukh Khan, and the movie was a hit, marking Rani’s comeback. That year, she bagged both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 50th Filmfare Awards.
From her supporting role in Mani Ratnam’s “Yuva” to her lead role in Kunal Kohli’s “Hum Tum,” Rani showcased her versatility. “Veer-Zaara” added to her success, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2004.
Then came 2005, and Rani’s role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” earned her praises and awards galore. “Bunty Aur Babli,” “Paheli,” and “Mangal Pandey: The Rising” continued her winning streak. Rani’s diverse roles and outstanding performances cemented her as one of the leading actresses in contemporary Hindi cinema.
Even the poorly received “Baabul” couldn’t dim her star. Finally, her collaboration with Karan Johar in “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (2006) showcased her ability to handle complex characters. Rani Mukerji had truly become a force to be reckoned with in Bollywood.
Professional setback (2007–2009)
After the disappointment of “Baabul,” Rani Mukerji entered the world of Siddharth Anand’s family drama “Ta Ra Rum Pum” in 2007. Here, she took on the role of a racing driver’s wife and mother of two, eager to portray a mother for the first time.
Despite the film’s financial success, critics had mixed reactions. Khalid Mohamed praised Mukerji’s performance as “near flawless,” while Rajeev Masand found the characters one-dimensional and uninteresting.
In “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag,” a Pradeep Sarkar drama, Mukerji played a young woman forced into prostitution to support her family. Her seventh Best Actress nomination at Filmfare attested to her compelling performance, although the film faced criticism.
A return to the role of a prostitute came in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Saawariya” in 2007, where Mukerji insisted the characters were distinct. Despite her divine performance, as noted by A. O. Scott of The New York Times, the film flopped at the box office.
As Mukerji’s popularity waned in 2007 due to repetitive pairings and an “exclusive Yash Raj heroine” label, she sought change. In Kunal Kohli’s “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic” (2008), a children’s film, she played an angel helping troubled kids. Despite efforts, the film faced criticism, contributing to her career’s downward trend.
Success in thrillers and Hichki (2010–2019)
Rani Mukerji’s notable performance in the 2011 film “No One Killed Jessica” received acclaim, described as “one of her best” by Aniruddha Guha of Daily News and Analysis. In this commercially successful movie about the Jessica Lal murder case, she played a foul-mouthed journalist.
Despite some critiques, she secured her third Best Supporting Actress trophy at Filmfare. Afterward, Mukerji faced setbacks with the 2012 film “Aiyyaa,” .
Which received criticism for both its critical and commercial performance. However, she rebounded with a compelling role in Reema Kagti’s 2012 psychological thriller “Talaash: The Answer Lies Within,” earning a Best Supporting Actress nomination at Filmfare.
Mukerji’s impactful return continued with the 2013 anthology film “Bombay Talkies” and her portrayal of Shivani Shivaji Roy in the 2014 crime thriller “Mardaani,” which garnered commercial success and another Best Actress nomination. After a hiatus, she made a successful comeback with “Hichki” (2018) and “Mardaani 2” (2019), challenging the Bollywood stereotype of actresses facing career decline post-marriage and kids, as acknowledged by Filmfare.
Personal life
Rani Mukerji is known for maintaining privacy regarding her personal life, avoiding extensive publicity. Often labeled as a recluse, she acknowledges the changing dynamics with actors being more open to the media. Mukerji, preferring a low profile, refrains from engaging in social media.
She shares close bonds with industry stalwarts like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Karan Johar. Despite media speculation, Mukerji has kept details of her relationship with filmmaker Aditya Chopra private. Reports suggest they began dating post his divorce.
The couple married in a private Bengali ceremony in Italy in April 2014, and they welcomed their daughter Adira the following year. Mukerji cherishes motherhood, describing it as the happiest phase of her life. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, she believes in utilizing time constructively. In a 2023 revelation, she shared the unfortunate experience of a miscarriage during her second pregnancy in 2020.
