Rani Mukerji Celebrates Three Decades in Bollywood with Emotional Revelations
In a poignant afternoon filled with nostalgia, vulnerability, and quiet triumph, veteran actress Rani Mukerji commemorated her remarkable 30-year journey in Hindi cinema. The intimate on-stage conversation, held in Mumbai and moderated by filmmaker and long-time friend Karan Johar, offered rare insights into the actress's personal and professional life, revealing stories of struggle, resilience, and ultimate success.
Humble Beginnings and Financial Necessity
Looking back at her early years, Rani spoke extensively about growing up in a financially strained Bengali household. She emphasized that cinema entered her life out of necessity rather than ambition. "At that time, it was more about being in a very humble Bengali family. My dad and mom tried to make ends meet. I used to see them struggle through their days," she recalled emotionally.
Rani shared touching memories of her mother's resilience despite economic challenges. "There were times when my mom was not able to buy me a particular thing that she really wanted to buy for me because of certain challenges that came with not being economically very sound. But I saw my mom go through those days with so much happiness, with that bright smile and that laughter of hers. It never came in the way of our happiness," she revealed.
The actress acknowledged that acting was never a childhood dream. "My parents wanted to marry me off. I started working because I had to support my family. There was no plan to be an actor, no blueprint for stardom. I was a child. I didn't know how the industry worked. I didn't know how tough it could be," she stated bluntly.
The Voice Dubbing Controversy and Karan Johar's Intervention
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when Rani revisited the decision by the makers of Ghulam to dub her voice. "As a newcomer, you don't have much of a choice. For me, it was a big thing to be able to do a film with Aamir. He was one of the superstars," she explained.
She recalled how Aamir Khan tried to console her by giving examples of other actresses. "He asked me who my favourite actress was and without blinking I said Sridevi. He gave me an example of how Sridevi's voice was dubbed in a lot of her films, and it didn't stop her from being the star that she became. It was a little upsetting for me, but I couldn't show it because you have to be a team player," Rani shared.
The turning point came with Karan Johar's intervention during Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. "I really owe this to Karan. We were shooting for the trailer. You came up to me and you said, 'Rani, are the people dubbing your voice in Ghulam?' I said yes. You said, 'Do you have a problem with dubbing?' I said no. You asked, 'Did you dub your first film?' I said of course. And then you said, 'I love your voice. You will dub for my film.' I still remember that clearly," she recounted with gratitude.
Professional Heartbreaks and Personal Triumphs
Rani also spoke candidly about professional disappointments, including not winning the National Award for her acclaimed performance in Black. "It broke the heart of all my fans. It broke my father's heart. It broke my mom's heart," she admitted. "Yes, it does hurt. But the way I have conducted my career and my life — I started off because my mom asked me to be an actor. I realised that through my work I could give my parents a better life."
The actress emphasized that her goal was never about winning awards. "My goal was never to win an award so that it makes me happy. Winning awards is about recognition for the entire team. As an actor, I have to constantly keep working," she stated with characteristic determination.
Family, Love, and Legacy
Speaking about her husband, filmmaker Aditya Chopra, Rani shared: "He is really very simple. He didn't come with any baggage of being Yash Chopra's son or being who he is. If he had even an iota of ego, I don't think I would have fallen for him. When I see him with our daughter, it reminds me of my days with my dad. The kind of time he spends with her makes me very happy."
The afternoon concluded on an especially emotional note when Rani read out a heartfelt letter written by her daughter, Adira. The personal message highlighted their deep bond and shared memories, bringing tears to many eyes in the audience.
Through three decades of Hindi cinema, Rani Mukerji's journey stands as a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of staying true to oneself against all odds. Her story continues to inspire aspiring actors and fans across generations.
