Rani Mukerji
Encyclopedia
Rani Mukerji is an Indian film actress who works in Hindi movies. In the course of her film career, she has received six Filmfare Awards
, among twelve nominations.
Making her acting debut with Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
(1997), Mukerji had her first commercial success with Karan Johar
's romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
(1998), her biggest commercial success so far, and won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
for her performance in the film. She later starred in several films, most of which fared below expectations, but in 2002 she re-invented her image with the critically acclaimed drama Saathiya, for which she received numerous awards and nominations, including her first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
.
In 2004, her performances in the hit Hum Tum
and the critically acclaimed Yuva
earned her the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 50th Filmfare Awards
, making her the first actress to win two major awards in the same year. She later received unanimous praise for her portrayal of a blind, deaf and mute woman in Black (2005), for which she garnered numerous major awards, including two more Filmfare Awards: Best Actress and Best Actress - Critics
. She went on to play leading roles in the comedy
Bunty Aur Babli
(2005) and the adult drama
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
(2006), both of which were commercial successes and fetched Mukerji Best Actress nominations at the Filmfare Awards
ceremony. Mukerji thus established herself as a leading actress of Hindi cinema
. Kulkarni, Ronjita (23 December 2005). Ten best Bollywood actresses of 2005. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 24 February 2007
Sen, Raja (25 August 2006).Top Bollywood Actresses. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 24 February 2007
Sen, Raja (18 December 2007).The most powerful actresses of 2007. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 25 December 2007
She then featured in a series of commercially unsuccessful films including Baabul (2006), Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007), Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
(2007) and Dil Bole Hadippa!
(2009), before re-inventing herself with Raj Kumar Gupta
's semi-biographic thriller No One Killed Jessica
(2011).
i origin. Her father Ram Mukherjee
is a retired director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios while her mother Krishna was a playback singer
. Her brother Raja Mukherjee is a film producer, now turned director. Her maternal aunt, Debashree Roy
, is a national award-winning Bengali film actress and her cousin, Kajol
, is a popular Bollywood actress and another cousin, Ayan Mukerji is the writer and director of Wake Up Sid
.
Mukerji is a trained Odissi
dancer, and began learning the dance in the tenth grade. Mukerji studied at Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu, and later enrolled at Mithibai College
in Mumbai
.
(1997). Her performance as a rape victim in the film was well-received, but the film failed to do well at the box office. Nevertheless, she received a Special Jury recognition at the Star Screen Awards
. However, the film's commercial failure made her return to college to complete her education.
Mukerji had a successful comeback in 1998 with Vikram Bhatt
's Ghulam
, opposite Aamir Khan
. The film did moderately well at the box office, while the song "Aati Kya Khandala
" made her popular among the masses. Karan Johar
's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
, starring Shahrukh Khan
and Kajol
, followed for her that year. She played the supporting role of Tina Malhotra, a sophisticated girl in love with Khan. Of her performance, Rediff.com
wrote, "Rani Mukherjee is a pleasant surprise - totally comfortable, clearly having suspended all disbelief". The movie was a blockbuster, with an adjusted worldwide gross of , and Mukerji went on to receive her first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category. She later played lead roles in films like Mehndi
(1998) and Hello Brother (1999), alongside Salman Khan
. None of these films were critically or commercially successful.
Mukerji's first release of 2000 was Raj Kanwar
's action drama Badal
opposite Bobby Deol
. The film emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year, but met with negative reviews from critics. She then essayed a brief role in Kamal Haasan
's Hey Ram
as Hassan's first wife, Aparna Ram. The controversial film, based on Mahatma Gandhi
's assassination was a critical success and was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars that year. Mukerji followed with a leading role in Bichhoo
, inspired by Luc Besson
's Leon
, opposite Bobby Deol
, as the foul-mouthed, coarse daughter of a drug dealer. The film, as well as her performance received negative reviews from critics. She also starred alongside Govinda
, for the first time, in the comedy Hadh Kar Di Aapne
.
Later that year, she teamed up with Salman Khan
for two films, Raj Kanwar
's Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye. While the former was inspired by the Sandra Bullock
starrer While You Were Sleeping
(1995), the later was a remake of Frank Coraci
's The Wedding Singer
(1998). She was appreciated for her performance in Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and received her second Filmfare nomination
in the Supporting Actress category.
In 2001, Mukerji starred in Abbas Mustan's romantic drama Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
, co-starring Salman Khan
and Preity Zinta
. The film was released after a one-year delay, and was one of the first Bollywood movies to handle the issue of surrogate childbirth. Mukerji's role was that of Priya Malhotra, a woman who is unable to conceive after a miscarriage and thus, hires a surrogate mother. Rediff.com
wrote, "Rani Mukherji is handicapped with a role that doesn't give her much scope besides weeping and sobbing. To her credit, she manages to hold her own even while playing a stereotypical sacrificing bhartiya nari." She next played the love-interests of Abhishek Bachchan
and Anil Kapoor
respectively, in two predominantly male-centric films: Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai
and Nayak: The Real Hero
. Upon release, both films under-performed at the box-office.
's romance Mujhse Dosti Karoge!
, alongside Hrithik Roshan
and Kareena Kapoor
. The film marked the first of her many collaborations with one of India's largest production companies: Yash Raj Films
. Although the movie flopped in India, it performed well overseas. Later that year, Mukerji starred in Shaad Ali
's critically acclaimed Saathiya opposite Vivek Oberoi
. Essaying the role of Suhani Sharma, a medical student who deals with the tensions and discontent of being married at a young age, she won a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
, and among several other nominations, received her first Best Actress
nomination at the Filmfare
. Udita Jhunjhunwala from Mid-Day noted, "Her expressions and acting are understated in a role that fits her like a glove." That year, she acted opposite Govinda
once again in two commercially unsuccessful films, Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
and Chalo Ishq Ladaaye
.
Mukerji's first release of 2003 was Aziz Mirza
's drama Chalte Chalte opposite Shahrukh Khan
. The film saw her play a role which was considered similar to the one she played in Saathiya, and her portrayal earned her a second nomination for Best Actress
at the Filmfare awards
. She next featured in Milan Luthria
's Chori Chori
opposite Ajay Devgan
, Sudhir Mishra
's Calcutta Mail
alongside Anil Kapoor
and Manisha Koirala
and J.P. Dutta's multi-starrer war film
LOC Kargil
. All three of them were critical as well as commercial failures.
In 2004, she acted in Mani Ratnam
's composite film
Yuva
alongside Ajay Devgan
, Abhishek Bachchan
, Vivek Oberoi
, Kareena Kapoor
and Esha Deol
. The film, which narrated the story of three younsters from different stratums of society, saw Mukerji play a Bengali
housewife opposite Bachchan. Though the film failed to do well at the box office, the film, as well as her performance was critically acclaimed. She followed through by playing the leading role in Yash Raj Films
' romantic comedy
Hum Tum
, directed by Kunal Kohli
, which became one of the biggest hits of the year. The film starred Mukerji along with Saif Ali Khan
and followed the lives of their characters at different stages of their lives. Mukerji's portrayal of Rhea Sharma, an independent woman, won her several Best Actress awards, including her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. BBC
observed, "Rani is fast becoming one of the more dependable and versatile actresses of her generation."
Her last release of the year was Yash Chopra
's love saga Veer-Zaara
, in which she co-starred alongside Shahrukh Khan
and Preity Zinta
. The film, which emerged as the top-grossing movie of the year in India and abroad, tells the love story of the title characters, Veer Pratap Singh, played by Khan, and a Pakistan
i woman, Zaara Hayaat Khan, played by Zinta. Mukerji played the supporting role of Saamiya Siddiqui, a Pakistani lawyer who takes it upon herself to find the truth about Veer Pratap Singh. The film, which was screened at the Berlin Film Festival met with positive reviews. A review carried by Rediff noted, "...Rani walks away with the best lines and a performance full of grit."
In 2005, Mukerji starred in four high-profile films: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
's Black, Shaad Ali
's Bunty Aur Babli
, Amol Palekar
's Paheli
and Ketan Mehta
's The Rising
. She was primarily noted for her performance in Black. When Bhansali first came to Mukerji with the offer, she turned it down and stated that she was not confident enough to play a deaf-blind person. Once Bhansali reinforced his faith in her, she agreed to do it and went on to study intensely sign language with professionals at the Helen Keller Institute in Mumbai
. Black was a major critical success, and Mukerji received universal acclaim for her performance. IndiaFM noted, "There's no denying that Rani delivers her best performance to date. With no dialogues in her lap, the actress conveys through expressions solely and what a terrific impact she makes. Here's a performance that should act as a reference guide for all aspiring actors". She eventually won the Best Actress and the Best Actress - Critics
at the Filmfare Awards
ceremony. Her next release, Bunty Aur Babli, surfaced as one of the biggest hits of the year. She played the character of Vimmi "Babli" Saluja, a con woman, opposite Abhishek Bachchan
. The film, though successful at the box office, opened to mixed reviews, and so did Mukerji's performance, with The Times of India
writing, "Rani has done a great job most of the time, though she does tend to go a little over the top in the crying scenes. Nevertheless, Mukerji received another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her work.
Her third release that year, Paheli, opposite Shahrukh Khan
, was screened at the Sundance Film Festival
and was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars for the 79th Academy Awards
. The film was critically acclaimed, as was Mukerji's performance, with Raja Sen
writing, "Rani is undeniably one of the best actresses we have out there, and this is another perfectly played part." Her final release of the year, The Rising, saw her play a prostitute, Heera, the love interest of the protagonist Mangal Pandey
, played by Aamir Khan
. Derek Elley of Variety
mentioned that she made "the most of her feisty nautch-girl," inpite of having "a small role for a star of her caliber."
In 2006 she starred in Karan Johar
's drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
, featuring Amitabh Bachchan
, Shahrukh Khan
, Abhishek Bachchan
, Preity Zinta
and Kirron Kher
. The film opened to mixed reviews but emerged as the most successful movie ever overseas. The film tells the story of two unhappily married couples in New York, which later results in an extramarital affair. Mukerji played the role of Maya Talwar, a woman layered with self-doubt and question about the relationship between her and her husband, played by Abhishek Bachchan. Her performance was well-received with Rajeev Masand
from CNN-IBN concluding, "Rani looks a million bucks and she dives under the skin of her character to make that part one that we will remember for a long time." She received several nominations for the role, including her fifth Filmfare - Best Actress nomination, and won the IIFA Best Actress Award
for the third consecutive year.
Mukerji's next release was B.R. Chopra's tearjerker Baabul alongside Amitabh Bachchan
, Salman Khan
and John Abraham
. The movie did not do well at the box-office in India, but proved to be a hit overseas. Her portrayal of Malvika, a young widow, met with mixed reviews from critics.
(with the exception of Saawariya).
Her first release was Siddharth Anand
's melodrama Ta Ra Rum Pum, where she played Radhika Rai Banerjee, a pianist turned housewife opposite Saif Ali Khan
. The film performed decently at the box-office, while her performance was generally well-received. Adarsh wrote, "Rani enacts the role of the mother/wife proficiently." Her next release of the year was Pradeep Sarkar
's drama Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
alongside Jaya Bachchan
, Abhishek Bachchan
, Konkana Sen Sharma and Kunal Kapoor
. The film met with mixed reviews, while Mukerji was criticised for repeatedly playing roles that require her to cry often. Her performance of a prostitute, however, fetched her yet another Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare ceremony. Her final release of the year was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's tragedy Saawariya
, where she essayed a smaller part of a sex-worker. The film, which featured debutants Ranbir Kapoor
and Sonam Kapoor
in lead roles, was a critical and commercial failure, but Mukerji's performance earned her a fifth Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination.
In 2008, Mukerji was paired with Saif Ali Khan
again for Kunal Kohli
's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
. The fantasy film had Mukerji play an angel who comes to Earth to help four troubled kids. The film, which flopped at the box office, met with generally positive reviews from critics. Her following release, Dil Bole Hadippa (2009) was selected to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival
. The project, co-starring Shahid Kapoor
, under-performed at the box office though Mukerji's portrayal of a feisty Punjabi village girl who dreams of playing cricket was generally well-received by critics.
In 2011, Mukerji starred in UTV Motion Pictures
' No One Killed Jessica
(2011), a film based on the Jessica Lal
murder case. Upon release, Mukerji's portrayal of journalist Meera Gaity received mostly positive reviews. The Times of India
wrote, "Rani's character being fictional and glamourized seems superficial to an extent but she packs in the punch required for her dynamic character." While other critics praised her performance, with Daily News and Analysis describing it as "one of her best performances till date," several critics were less positive, including Anupama Chopra
of NDTV
, who called her role, "the fatal, false note in No One Killed Jessica," arguing that "The character is written superficially and Rani’s portrayal of her is equally banal. It’s all about externals. She argues a lot and proudly labels herself a bitch but her hair stays perfectly in place and in the end, she even gets to do a super-hero-like slow motion walk."
As of November 2011, her upcoming films include Reema Kagti
's suspense thriller Talaash co-starring Aamir Khan
and Kareena Kapoor
and Anurag Kashyap
's Aiyaa opposite Prithviraj
.
Mukerji has three homes in Mumbai
, including her childhood home. She bought a bungalow
in Juhu for herself and her parents in mid-2005. The house went through a two year renovation with the interiors done by Twinkle Khanna
and Sussanne Roshan.
. Mukerji was asked to name her idol and she replied, "Adolf Hitler
". However, in an interview with Times Now
a year later, she denied ever mentioning Hitler's name.
In November 2006, Mukerji was shooting for the film Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
in Varanasi
when avid fans crowded the set. Security personnel beat the crowd back. A media storm followed as various groups insisted that Mukerji should have stopped the security guards. Mukerji later issued an apology.
to boost the morale of the jawan
s. It was for a show where entertainers and stars visit Indian troops in far-flung regions to encourage them along with the NDTV team. In February 2005, Mukerji performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert to help raise money for the victims of Tsunami
in company with other Bollywood
stars. She was highly involved in the Temptations 2005 show in New Delhi. The actress helped to raise funds for the National Centre For Promotional of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a leading disabled rights' group. Mukerji donated her prize money, her half-share of 50 lakh rupees from her 2007 appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati
with Preity Zinta
, to the Holy Family Hospital. She said that this institution looks after children with heart problems.
Mukerji is a stage performer and has participated in two world tours. Her first world tour was in the year 1999 with Aamir Khan
, Aishwarya Rai
, Akshaye Khanna
and Twinkle Khanna
. It was called the Magnificent Five. Five years later, Temptations 2004 came along. It was the most successful Bollywood concert in its time. Mukerji performed alongside Shahrukh Khan
, Saif Ali Khan
, Preity Zinta
, Arjun Rampal
and Priyanka Chopra
in nineteen stage shows across the globe.
In 2009, Mukerji made made her television debut as judge with the dance reality show Dance Premier League
. She explained her stint with television, saying that it made her "more accessible" to the audience and helped her "gain visibility when [she was] not doing too many films." In 2011, she reprised her role as Meera Gaity on the TV series C.I.D. in a guest appearance to promote No One Killed Jessica.
In February 2006, Filmfare Magazine placed her eighth amongst the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood", an achievement she repeated from the previous year, where she was ranked at number ten, the only woman on the list. In 2007, she was ranked at number five.
On Women's International Day 2007, Mukerji came in fourth position on the All-Time Best Bollywood Actresses Ever listing.
She was placed at number #36 by UK magazine Eastern Eye as one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006). Mukerji is frequently featured in various lists by Rediff.com
, among them, Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses, Bollywood's Best Dressed Women and Women of Many Faces.
Mukerji has made four appearances in Karan Johar
's talk show Koffee with Karan
. She appeared with Kareena Kapoor
, Shahrukh Khan
and Kajol
, Madhuri Dixit
as a surprise guest and with Vidya Balan
promoting their film No One Killed Jessica
(2011)
Rani made her entry in to the small screen with the dance reality show Dance Premier League
in 2009.
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
, among twelve nominations.
Making her acting debut with Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat is a 1997 Hindi movie written and directed by Ashok Gaikwad. The film introduces prominent newcomers Rani Mukerji and Shadaab Khan who is the son of legendary actor Amjad Khan...
(1997), Mukerji had her first commercial success with Karan Johar
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and Television host. He is the son of Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood. He is most known for directing and producing some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and the...
's romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a Hindi romantic comedy film, released in India and the United Kingdom on 16 October 1998. The film was written and directed by the debuting Karan Johar and stars the popular on-screen pair of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in their fourth movie together...
(1998), her biggest commercial success so far, and won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
for her performance in the film. She later starred in several films, most of which fared below expectations, but in 2002 she re-invented her image with the critically acclaimed drama Saathiya, for which she received numerous awards and nominations, including her first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. The award is given by the chosen jury of critics assigned to the function, and is a derivation from a previous award known as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance,...
.
In 2004, her performances in the hit Hum Tum
Hum Tum
Hum Tum is a Bollywood movie, released in India on 28 May 2004, directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra. The movie stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles....
and the critically acclaimed Yuva
Yuva
Yuva , originally titled Howrah Bridge is a feature film directed by Indian director Mani Ratnam and released in 2004. Simultaneously made in Hindi and Tamil , the prime objective of the movie was to motivate educated Indian youths to enter politics.The film tells the stories of three young men...
earned her the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 50th Filmfare Awards
50th filmfare awards
-Best Film: Veer-Zaara *Dhoom*Hum Tum*Main Hoon Na*Swades-Best Actor in a Leading Role: Shahrukh Khan in Swades *Amitabh Bachchan in Khakee*Hrithik Roshan in Lakshya*Shahrukh Khan in Main Hoon Na...
, making her the first actress to win two major awards in the same year. She later received unanimous praise for her portrayal of a blind, deaf and mute woman in Black (2005), for which she garnered numerous major awards, including two more Filmfare Awards: Best Actress and Best Actress - Critics
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. The award is given by the chosen jury of critics assigned to the function, and is a derivation from a previous award known as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance,...
. She went on to play leading roles in the comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
Bunty Aur Babli
Bunty Aur Babli
Bunty Aur Babli , released in 2005, is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Shaad Ali and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan. It was the first film to feature both Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, and featured guest appearances by Aishwarya Rai and Tania...
(2005) and the adult drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna commonly known as KANK is a 2006 Bollywood film directed by Karan Johar and produced under the Dharma Productions banner...
(2006), both of which were commercial successes and fetched Mukerji Best Actress nominations at the Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
ceremony. Mukerji thus established herself as a leading actress of Hindi cinema
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
. Kulkarni, Ronjita (23 December 2005). Ten best Bollywood actresses of 2005. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 24 February 2007
Sen, Raja (25 August 2006).Top Bollywood Actresses. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 24 February 2007
Sen, Raja (18 December 2007).The most powerful actresses of 2007. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 25 December 2007
She then featured in a series of commercially unsuccessful films including Baabul (2006), Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007), Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - Journey Of A Woman is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and starring Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher with special appearances by Abhishek Bachchan and Hema Malini...
(2007) and Dil Bole Hadippa!
Dil Bole Hadippa!
-External links:* from IBN Live.in* from Orissadiary.com...
(2009), before re-inventing herself with Raj Kumar Gupta
Raj Kumar Gupta
Raj Kumar Gupta is an acclaimed Indian film maker and screen writer. He made his debut as director with critically acclaimed Aamir and followed it up with Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan starrer No One Killed Jessica based on the Jessica Lall murder case, which also received critical acclaim...
's semi-biographic thriller No One Killed Jessica
No One Killed Jessica
No One Killed Jessica is a 2011 Bollywood film starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan, produced by UTV Spotboy and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who directed the acclaimed film Aamir ....
(2011).
Early life and background
Mukerji comes from a film-oriented family of BengalBengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
i origin. Her father Ram Mukherjee
Ram Mukherjee
Ram Mukherjee is an Indian film director, producer and writer. He belongs to the Mukherjee-Samarth family and is father of Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee.He is the founder of Filmalaya Studios.-Filmography:Director# Raktanadir Dhara...
is a retired director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios while her mother Krishna was a playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
. Her brother Raja Mukherjee is a film producer, now turned director. Her maternal aunt, Debashree Roy
Debashree Roy
Debashree Roy is a Bengali cinema actress. She acted in more than 100 films and has 40 awards, including a National Film Award for Best Actress for the film Unishe April in 1995. She was also known by the name 'Chintamani' in Tamil Nadu, when she acted in a few Tamil movies.- Early life :She was...
, is a national award-winning Bengali film actress and her cousin, Kajol
Kajol
Kajol Devgn , better known as Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors....
, is a popular Bollywood actress and another cousin, Ayan Mukerji is the writer and director of Wake Up Sid
Wake up Sid
Wake Up Sid is a 2009 Hindi romantic comedy film. It is directed by Ayan Mukerji, produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, and has visual effects by the Prime Focus Group...
.
Mukerji is a trained Odissi
Odissi
Odissi, also spelled Orissi , is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the state of Orissa, in eastern India. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of archaeological evidences. The classic treatise of Indian dance, Natya Shastra, refers to it as...
dancer, and began learning the dance in the tenth grade. Mukerji studied at Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu, and later enrolled at Mithibai College
Mithibai College
Mithibai College of Arts, Chauhan Institute of Science & Amruthben Jivanlal College of Commerce and Economics also knowns as Mithibai College is a prestigious and popular college in Vile Parle, Mumbai, India. Mithibai College is affiliated with the University of Mumbai...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
.
Early work and breakthrough (1997-2002)
After doing a short cameo appearance for the first time in her father's Bengali film Biyer Phool (1992), Mukerji made her acting debut five years later, as the protagonist of Raja Ki Aayegi BaraatRaja Ki Aayegi Baraat
Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat is a 1997 Hindi movie written and directed by Ashok Gaikwad. The film introduces prominent newcomers Rani Mukerji and Shadaab Khan who is the son of legendary actor Amjad Khan...
(1997). Her performance as a rape victim in the film was well-received, but the film failed to do well at the box office. Nevertheless, she received a Special Jury recognition at the Star Screen Awards
Star Screen Awards
The Star Screen Awards is an annual awards ceremony in India honoring professional excellence in film. The nomination and award selection is done by a panel of distinguished professional from the industry itself.- History :...
. However, the film's commercial failure made her return to college to complete her education.
Vikram Bhatt
Vikram Bhatt is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. He has more than 21 films to his credit. He is also the creative head of a conglomerate called ASA Productions.-Early life:...
's Ghulam
Ghulam
Ghulam is a 1998 Hindi film directed by Vikram Bhatt and starring Aamir Khan. The film was inspired by Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront . It is the second remake of On the Waterfront after Kabzaa starring Sanjay Dutt...
, opposite Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
. The film did moderately well at the box office, while the song "Aati Kya Khandala
Aati Kya Khandala
"Aati Kya Khandala" is a Hindi song sung by Indian actor Aamir Khan & playback singer Alka Yagnik and composed by Jatin-Lalit. It was a part of the soundtrack of the 1998 Hindi film Ghulam...
" made her popular among the masses. Karan Johar
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and Television host. He is the son of Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood. He is most known for directing and producing some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and the...
's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a Hindi romantic comedy film, released in India and the United Kingdom on 16 October 1998. The film was written and directed by the debuting Karan Johar and stars the popular on-screen pair of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in their fourth movie together...
, starring Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
and Kajol
Kajol
Kajol Devgn , better known as Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors....
, followed for her that year. She played the supporting role of Tina Malhotra, a sophisticated girl in love with Khan. Of her performance, Rediff.com
Rediff.com
Rediff.com India is a news, information, entertainment, and shopping portal. It was founded in 1996 as "Rediff On The NeT" and is headquartered in Mumbai, India with offices in New Delhi and New York City, USA....
wrote, "Rani Mukherjee is a pleasant surprise - totally comfortable, clearly having suspended all disbelief". The movie was a blockbuster, with an adjusted worldwide gross of , and Mukerji went on to receive her first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category. She later played lead roles in films like Mehndi
Mehndi
Mehndi or menhdi is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in India, as well as by expatriate communities from the country. The word mehndi is derived from the Sanskrit word mendhikā. The use of mehndi and turmeric is described in the earliest Vedic ritual books...
(1998) and Hello Brother (1999), alongside Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
. None of these films were critically or commercially successful.
Mukerji's first release of 2000 was Raj Kanwar
Raj Kanwar
Raj Kanwar is a Bollywood film director, writer and film producer based in Mumbai, India.-raj kanwar and abhay kanwar:Director:* Mad * Sadiyaan * Humko Deewana Kar Gaye * Andaaz * Ab Ke Baras * Farz...
's action drama Badal
Badal
Badal is a 2000 Bollywood movie directed by Raj Kanwar. The film stars Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji in lead roles. The movie is set in 1984 when riots were engulfing parts of Punjab and Delhi. The movie is inspired by The Devil's Own, starring Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford.-Plot:The police are...
opposite Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol is a Bollywood actor. Deol is the son of the acclaimed Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol, also a successful actor in the Mumbai based Indian film industry....
. The film emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year, but met with negative reviews from critics. She then essayed a brief role in Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
's Hey Ram
Hey Ram
Hey Ram is a controversial Indian film released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000 and written, directed, produced by and starring Kamal Haasan...
as Hassan's first wife, Aparna Ram. The controversial film, based on Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
's assassination was a critical success and was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars that year. Mukerji followed with a leading role in Bichhoo
Bichhoo
Bichhoo is a 2000 Bollywood film directed by Guddu Dhanoa. It is a suspense film, and the lead roles are played by Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji...
, inspired by Luc Besson
Luc Besson
Luc Besson is a French film director, writer, and producer. He is the creator of EuropaCorp film company. He has been involved with over 50 films, spanning 26 years, as writer, director, and/or producer.-Early life:...
's Leon
Léon (film)
Léon is a 1994 French thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson...
, opposite Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol is a Bollywood actor. Deol is the son of the acclaimed Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol, also a successful actor in the Mumbai based Indian film industry....
, as the foul-mouthed, coarse daughter of a drug dealer. The film, as well as her performance received negative reviews from critics. She also starred alongside Govinda
Govinda (actor)
Govinda is a Filmfare award-winning Indian actor and politician. He has appeared in over 120 Hindi language films. At the start of his career, his acting and dancing skills gained him widespread attention among film viewers. He later gained worldwide fame as a Bollywood icon through comedy films...
, for the first time, in the comedy Hadh Kar Di Aapne
Hadh Kar Di Aapne
Hadh Kar Di Aapne is a 2000 Hindi movie directed by Manoj Agrawal. The film stars Govinda and Rani Mukerji.- Synopsis :...
.
Later that year, she teamed up with Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
for two films, Raj Kanwar
Raj Kanwar
Raj Kanwar is a Bollywood film director, writer and film producer based in Mumbai, India.-raj kanwar and abhay kanwar:Director:* Mad * Sadiyaan * Humko Deewana Kar Gaye * Andaaz * Ab Ke Baras * Farz...
's Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega is a 2000 Bollywood film directed by Raj Kanwar. The film stars Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji. It received moderate box office status...
and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye. While the former was inspired by the Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Annette Bullock is an Academy Award winning American actress and producer who rose to fame in the 1990s after roles in successful films such as Demolition Man, Speed, The Net, A Time to Kill, and While You Were Sleeping. She continued with films such as Miss Congeniality, The Lake House,...
starrer While You Were Sleeping
While You Were Sleeping
While You Were Sleeping is a 1995 romantic comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Frederic Lebow. It stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy, a Chicago Transit Authority token collector and Bill Pullman as Jack, the brother of a man whose life she saves, along with Peter...
(1995), the later was a remake of Frank Coraci
Frank Coraci
Frank Coraci is an American film director and screenwriter best known for his work with Adam Sandler.Coraci was born in Shirley, New York. Coraci graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1988. He has directed three of Sandler's hit films as well as several of Sandler's...
's The Wedding Singer
The Wedding Singer
The Wedding Singer is a 1998 romantic comedy film written by Tim Herlihy and directed by Frank Coraci. It stars Adam Sandler as a wedding singer in the 1980s and Drew Barrymore as a waitress with whom he falls in love....
(1998). She was appreciated for her performance in Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and received her second Filmfare nomination
Filmfare
Filmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
in the Supporting Actress category.
In 2001, Mukerji starred in Abbas Mustan's romantic drama Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke is a 2001 Hindi movie directed by the successful pair Abbas-Mustan. It stars Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta...
, co-starring Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
and Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
. The film was released after a one-year delay, and was one of the first Bollywood movies to handle the issue of surrogate childbirth. Mukerji's role was that of Priya Malhotra, a woman who is unable to conceive after a miscarriage and thus, hires a surrogate mother. Rediff.com
Rediff.com
Rediff.com India is a news, information, entertainment, and shopping portal. It was founded in 1996 as "Rediff On The NeT" and is headquartered in Mumbai, India with offices in New Delhi and New York City, USA....
wrote, "Rani Mukherji is handicapped with a role that doesn't give her much scope besides weeping and sobbing. To her credit, she manages to hold her own even while playing a stereotypical sacrificing bhartiya nari." She next played the love-interests of Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
and Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor is an Indian actor and producer who mainly appears in Bollywood films. He won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Yash Chopra's film Mashaal ....
respectively, in two predominantly male-centric films: Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai
Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai
Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai is a 2001 Hindi movie was written and directed by Goldie Behl. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Sushmita Sen and Jackie Shroff...
and Nayak: The Real Hero
Nayak: The Real Hero
Nayak: The Real Hero is a 2001 Indian movie starring Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. It was directed by S. Shankar. The film is a remake of S. Shankar's earlier released Tamil film Mudhalvan . The film's score and soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman, were dubbed from Mudhalvan into Hindi for the...
. Upon release, both films under-performed at the box-office.
Success (2002-06)
In 2002, Mukerji essayed the lead role of Pooja Sahani in Kunal KohliKunal Kohli
Kunal Kohli is an Indian film director, producer and writer- Biography :Born in Mumbai,Kunal Kohli is a true Indian director. He is a "family man" as he claims on a video interview....
's romance Mujhse Dosti Karoge!
Mujhse Dosti Karoge!
- The Medley :The film featured a medley of eighteen songs which was a major hit with the audience. The songs contained mostly old songs with a few modern songs. Most of the songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar were sung in her earlier years...
, alongside Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.After having appeared in films as a child actor in the 1980s, Roshan made his film debut in a leading role in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai for which Roshan earned his Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut...
and Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
. The film marked the first of her many collaborations with one of India's largest production companies: Yash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films is an Indian Entertainment company set up by Yash Chopra, an Indian film director and producer who is considered an entertainment mogul in India.-Initial years:...
. Although the movie flopped in India, it performed well overseas. Later that year, Mukerji starred in Shaad Ali
Shaad Ali
-Early life:Shaad Ali was born to Muzaffar Ali and Subhashini Ali née Sehgal, an Indian politician and member of the Communist Party of India ). He is thus the grandson of Azad Hind Fauj commander Lakshmi Sahgal...
's critically acclaimed Saathiya opposite Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi is an Indian actor. He is the son of Bollywood actor Suresh Oberoi and Yashodhara Oberoi.- Early life :Vivek attended Mayo college in Ajmer. At an actors' workshop in London he was spotted by the director of New York University who took Vivek off to New York, where he completed his...
. Essaying the role of Suhani Sharma, a medical student who deals with the tensions and discontent of being married at a young age, she won a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. The award is given by the chosen jury of critics assigned to the function, and is a derivation from a previous award known as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance,...
, and among several other nominations, received her first Best Actress
Filmfare Best Actress Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The award was first given in 1954.-Superlatives:...
nomination at the Filmfare
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
. Udita Jhunjhunwala from Mid-Day noted, "Her expressions and acting are understated in a role that fits her like a glove." That year, she acted opposite Govinda
Govinda (actor)
Govinda is a Filmfare award-winning Indian actor and politician. He has appeared in over 120 Hindi language films. At the start of his career, his acting and dancing skills gained him widespread attention among film viewers. He later gained worldwide fame as a Bollywood icon through comedy films...
once again in two commercially unsuccessful films, Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai is a 2002 Indian movie directed by Kirti Kumar, starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji. It is a remake of the Tamil movie Sollamale.- Synopsis :...
and Chalo Ishq Ladaaye
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye ) is a 2002 Indian movie directed by Aziz Sejawal, starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji. The film is a comedy.- Synopsis :...
.
Mukerji's first release of 2003 was Aziz Mirza
Aziz Mirza
Aziz Mirza is an Indian film director and writer.-Biography:Mirza started his career in 1985 when he joined his brother Saeed Mirza and veteran director Kundan Shah to set a new production company called Iskra....
's drama Chalte Chalte opposite Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
. The film saw her play a role which was considered similar to the one she played in Saathiya, and her portrayal earned her a second nomination for Best Actress
Filmfare Best Actress Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The award was first given in 1954.-Superlatives:...
at the Filmfare awards
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
. She next featured in Milan Luthria
Milan Luthria
Milan Luthria is an Indian film director of Hindi films. He is the son of noted hindi film director Raj Khosla. He is most known for his films, Taxi Number 9211 and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai .-Career:...
's Chori Chori
Chori Chori (2003 film)
Chori Chori is a 2003 Hindi movie directed by Milan Luthria. The film is a comedy. It stars Ajay Devgan and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. It is not related to the 1956 Hindi film of the same name.- Plot :...
opposite Ajay Devgan
Ajay Devgan
Ajay Devgan , born Vishal Veeru Devgan on 2 April 1969, is an Indian film actor, director, and producer.He made his film debut with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991 and received a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance in the film and for which he won a Filmfare Best Debut Award...
, Sudhir Mishra
Sudhir Mishra
Sudhir Mishra is an Indian film director and screenwriter most renowned for directing critically acclaimed films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Dharavi and Chameli.-Early life and education:...
's Calcutta Mail
Calcutta Mail
Calcutta Mail is a 2003 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. It was directed by Sudhir Mishra.- Plot :Avinash comes to Calcutta to search for his only son and finds himself engulfed with too many people interested in him...
alongside Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor is an Indian actor and producer who mainly appears in Bollywood films. He won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Yash Chopra's film Mashaal ....
and Manisha Koirala
Manisha Koirala
Manisha B. Koirala is a Nepali-Indian actress who works in Indian films, as well as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and social activist. Koirala has primarily worked in Hindi cinema, though she has appeared in several Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films as well...
and J.P. Dutta's multi-starrer war film
War film
War films are a film genre concerned with warfare, usually about naval, air or land battles, sometimes focusing instead on prisoners of war, covert operations, military training or other related subjects. At times war films focus on daily military or civilian life in wartime without depicting battles...
LOC Kargil
LOC Kargil
LOC Kargil is a 2003 Bollywood war film based on the Kargil War, directed and written by J. P. Dutta. The film stars a large number of Bollywood stars.- Plot :The film is an attempt to dramatize a synopsis of the 1999 Kargil War ....
. All three of them were critical as well as commercial failures.
In 2004, she acted in Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
's composite film
Composite film
A composite film is a feature film whose screenplay is composed of two or more distinct stories. More generally, composite structure refers to an aesthetic principle in which the narrative structure relies on contiguity and linking rather than linearity...
Yuva
Yuva
Yuva , originally titled Howrah Bridge is a feature film directed by Indian director Mani Ratnam and released in 2004. Simultaneously made in Hindi and Tamil , the prime objective of the movie was to motivate educated Indian youths to enter politics.The film tells the stories of three young men...
alongside Ajay Devgan
Ajay Devgan
Ajay Devgan , born Vishal Veeru Devgan on 2 April 1969, is an Indian film actor, director, and producer.He made his film debut with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991 and received a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance in the film and for which he won a Filmfare Best Debut Award...
, Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
, Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi is an Indian actor. He is the son of Bollywood actor Suresh Oberoi and Yashodhara Oberoi.- Early life :Vivek attended Mayo college in Ajmer. At an actors' workshop in London he was spotted by the director of New York University who took Vivek off to New York, where he completed his...
, Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
and Esha Deol
Esha Deol
Esha Deol is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. She is the elder daughter of Bollywood actors Dharmendra and Hema Malini.-Personal life:...
. The film, which narrated the story of three younsters from different stratums of society, saw Mukerji play a Bengali
Bengali
Bengali may refer to something of, from, or related to Bengal, the region roughly divided between West Bengal, Tripura and Bangladesh.* Bengali people, a major linguistic group in South Asia* Bengali Hindu people, the ethnic group native to eastern India....
housewife opposite Bachchan. Though the film failed to do well at the box office, the film, as well as her performance was critically acclaimed. She followed through by playing the leading role in Yash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films is an Indian Entertainment company set up by Yash Chopra, an Indian film director and producer who is considered an entertainment mogul in India.-Initial years:...
' romantic comedy
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
Hum Tum
Hum Tum
Hum Tum is a Bollywood movie, released in India on 28 May 2004, directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra. The movie stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles....
, directed by Kunal Kohli
Kunal Kohli
Kunal Kohli is an Indian film director, producer and writer- Biography :Born in Mumbai,Kunal Kohli is a true Indian director. He is a "family man" as he claims on a video interview....
, which became one of the biggest hits of the year. The film starred Mukerji along with Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. He is the son of the late former Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters: Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan....
and followed the lives of their characters at different stages of their lives. Mukerji's portrayal of Rhea Sharma, an independent woman, won her several Best Actress awards, including her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
observed, "Rani is fast becoming one of the more dependable and versatile actresses of her generation."
Her last release of the year was Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Chopra is an Indian filmmaker, film director, screenwriter, and a highly successful Bollywood producer. Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Veer-Zaara are some of his highly popular movies...
's love saga Veer-Zaara
Veer-Zaara
The soundtrack was released on CD and specially on Audio DVD. The music is based on old and untouched compositions by the late Madan Mohan, as revised by his son Sanjeev Kohli....
, in which she co-starred alongside Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
and Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
. The film, which emerged as the top-grossing movie of the year in India and abroad, tells the love story of the title characters, Veer Pratap Singh, played by Khan, and a Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i woman, Zaara Hayaat Khan, played by Zinta. Mukerji played the supporting role of Saamiya Siddiqui, a Pakistani lawyer who takes it upon herself to find the truth about Veer Pratap Singh. The film, which was screened at the Berlin Film Festival met with positive reviews. A review carried by Rediff noted, "...Rani walks away with the best lines and a performance full of grit."
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an Indian film director. He is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India...
's Black, Shaad Ali
Shaad Ali
-Early life:Shaad Ali was born to Muzaffar Ali and Subhashini Ali née Sehgal, an Indian politician and member of the Communist Party of India ). He is thus the grandson of Azad Hind Fauj commander Lakshmi Sahgal...
's Bunty Aur Babli
Bunty Aur Babli
Bunty Aur Babli , released in 2005, is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Shaad Ali and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan. It was the first film to feature both Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, and featured guest appearances by Aishwarya Rai and Tania...
, Amol Palekar
Amol Palekar
Amol Palekar is an Indian actor of the 1970s and a director of Hindi and Marathi cinema.-Theater career:Palekar began in Marathi experimental theatre with Satyadev Dubey, and later started his own group, Aniket, in 1972 [citation needed]...
's Paheli
Paheli
Paheli is a Bollywood ghost movie, released in India on 24 June 2005, directed by Amol Palekar and produced by Gauri Khan, Sanjiv Chawla and Shahrukh Khan, who also plays the male lead...
and Ketan Mehta
Ketan Mehta
Ketan Mehta is an Indian film director, who has also directed documentaries and television serials.-Early life and education:Born in Navsari in Gujarat, Ketan Mehta did his schooling from Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi and later graduated in film direction from Film and Television Institute of...
's The Rising
Mangal Pandey: The Rising
Mangal Pandey: The Rising or The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey is an Indian movie based on the life of Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier who is known for his role in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It is directed by Ketan Mehta, produced by Bobby Bedi, and with a screenplay by Farrukh Dhondy...
. She was primarily noted for her performance in Black. When Bhansali first came to Mukerji with the offer, she turned it down and stated that she was not confident enough to play a deaf-blind person. Once Bhansali reinforced his faith in her, she agreed to do it and went on to study intensely sign language with professionals at the Helen Keller Institute in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. Black was a major critical success, and Mukerji received universal acclaim for her performance. IndiaFM noted, "There's no denying that Rani delivers her best performance to date. With no dialogues in her lap, the actress conveys through expressions solely and what a terrific impact she makes. Here's a performance that should act as a reference guide for all aspiring actors". She eventually won the Best Actress and the Best Actress - Critics
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress
The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. The award is given by the chosen jury of critics assigned to the function, and is a derivation from a previous award known as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance,...
at the Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
ceremony. Her next release, Bunty Aur Babli, surfaced as one of the biggest hits of the year. She played the character of Vimmi "Babli" Saluja, a con woman, opposite Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
. The film, though successful at the box office, opened to mixed reviews, and so did Mukerji's performance, with The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...
writing, "Rani has done a great job most of the time, though she does tend to go a little over the top in the crying scenes. Nevertheless, Mukerji received another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her work.
Her third release that year, Paheli, opposite Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
, was screened at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars for the 79th Academy Awards
79th Academy Awards
The 79th Academy Awards ceremony , honored the best films of 2006 and took place on February 25, 2007 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on ABC. Ellen DeGeneres hosted the ceremony for the first time. The producer was Laura Ziskin. The announcers were Don LaFontaine and Gina Tuttle.The nominees were...
. The film was critically acclaimed, as was Mukerji's performance, with Raja Sen
Raja Sen
Raja Sen is an Indian film and television director, and the winner of three National Film Awards from Kolkata, West Bengal, India.-Career:...
writing, "Rani is undeniably one of the best actresses we have out there, and this is another perfectly played part." Her final release of the year, The Rising, saw her play a prostitute, Heera, the love interest of the protagonist Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey was a sepoy in the 34th Regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry of the English East India Company. He is widely known in India as one of its first freedom fighters...
, played by Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
. Derek Elley of Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
mentioned that she made "the most of her feisty nautch-girl," inpite of having "a small role for a star of her caliber."
In 2006 she starred in Karan Johar
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and Television host. He is the son of Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood. He is most known for directing and producing some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and the...
's drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna commonly known as KANK is a 2006 Bollywood film directed by Karan Johar and produced under the Dharma Productions banner...
, featuring Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
, Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
, Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
, Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
and Kirron Kher
Kirron Kher
Kirron Kher is an Indian theatre, film and television actress and a TV talk show host.- Early life :Kirron Kher was born in Bangalore in a JatSikh family of Punjabi background. She was brought up in Chandigarh, Punjab, where she did her schooling and later college from Panjab University, Chandigarh...
. The film opened to mixed reviews but emerged as the most successful movie ever overseas. The film tells the story of two unhappily married couples in New York, which later results in an extramarital affair. Mukerji played the role of Maya Talwar, a woman layered with self-doubt and question about the relationship between her and her husband, played by Abhishek Bachchan. Her performance was well-received with Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand
Rajeev Masand is an Indian film critic and entertainment reporter for CNN-IBN. Masand started his career as an entertainment correspondent at the young age of 16...
from CNN-IBN concluding, "Rani looks a million bucks and she dives under the skin of her character to make that part one that we will remember for a long time." She received several nominations for the role, including her fifth Filmfare - Best Actress nomination, and won the IIFA Best Actress Award
IIFA Best Actress Award
The IIFA Best Actress Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the actual ceremony. The most wins are by Rani Mukerji, leading with three consecutive wins.-2000s:* 2000 Aishwarya Rai – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam as Nandini...
for the third consecutive year.
Mukerji's next release was B.R. Chopra's tearjerker Baabul alongside Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
, Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
and John Abraham
John Abraham
John Abraham is the name of:* John Abraham , Bollywood actor* John Abraham , Malayali Indian filmmaker and scriptwriter* John Abraham , NFL defensive end playing for the Atlanta Falcons...
. The movie did not do well at the box-office in India, but proved to be a hit overseas. Her portrayal of Malvika, a young widow, met with mixed reviews from critics.
Professional setbacks and recent work (2007-present)
From 2007 to 2010, Mukerji featured primarily in films produced by Yash Raj FilmsYash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films is an Indian Entertainment company set up by Yash Chopra, an Indian film director and producer who is considered an entertainment mogul in India.-Initial years:...
(with the exception of Saawariya).
Her first release was Siddharth Anand
Siddharth Anand
Siddharth Anand is an Indian film director. He is the son of film producer Bittu Anand who produced the Amitabh Bachchan hit, Shahenshah. Anand's grandfather was screenwriter Inder Raj Anand who wrote 120 films including Safar, Sangam and Ek Duje Ke Liye...
's melodrama Ta Ra Rum Pum, where she played Radhika Rai Banerjee, a pianist turned housewife opposite Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. He is the son of the late former Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters: Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan....
. The film performed decently at the box-office, while her performance was generally well-received. Adarsh wrote, "Rani enacts the role of the mother/wife proficiently." Her next release of the year was Pradeep Sarkar
Pradeep Sarkar
Pradeep Sakar is a writer and director who works in the Bollywood industry.He began his career with Vinod Chopra Productions, the production company of acclaimed director Vidhu Vinod Chopra....
's drama Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - Journey Of A Woman is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and starring Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher with special appearances by Abhishek Bachchan and Hema Malini...
alongside Jaya Bachchan
Jaya Bachchan
Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan is an Indian actress and politician. She is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Bachchan is the wife of Amitabh Bachchan, and is the mother of Shweta Bachchan-Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan...
, Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
, Konkana Sen Sharma and Kunal Kapoor
Kunal Kapoor
Kunal Kapoor is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi cinema.-Career:Kapoor began his career as an assistant director on the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Aks. He began his acting career training under theatre legend Barry John. He continued his theatre career with Motley, a theater group run by...
. The film met with mixed reviews, while Mukerji was criticised for repeatedly playing roles that require her to cry often. Her performance of a prostitute, however, fetched her yet another Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare ceremony. Her final release of the year was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's tragedy Saawariya
Saawariya
Saawariya is a 2007 Hindi film based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's short story "White Nights".Co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and released on 9 November 2007, it is the first Bollywood movie to receive a North American release by a Hollywood studio, shortly preceding Walt Disney Pictures'...
, where she essayed a smaller part of a sex-worker. The film, which featured debutants Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood movies.Making his acting debut in the 2007 film Saawariya, for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut, Kapoor went on to earn critical praise for his performance in Wake Up Sid...
and Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor is an Indian film actress who appears in Bollywood films. Kapoor made her acting debut in the unsuccessful film Saawariya opposite newcomer Ranbir Kapoor, which earned her a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She earned her first commercial success in I Hate Luv...
in lead roles, was a critical and commercial failure, but Mukerji's performance earned her a fifth Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination.
In 2008, Mukerji was paired with Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. He is the son of the late former Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters: Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan....
again for Kunal Kohli
Kunal Kohli
Kunal Kohli is an Indian film director, producer and writer- Biography :Born in Mumbai,Kunal Kohli is a true Indian director. He is a "family man" as he claims on a video interview....
's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is a 2008 Hindi film with Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in lead roles and Rishi Kapoor and Ameesha Patel in special appearances. The child artists include Akshat Chopra, Shriya Sharma, Rachit Sidana and Ayushi Berman...
. The fantasy film had Mukerji play an angel who comes to Earth to help four troubled kids. The film, which flopped at the box office, met with generally positive reviews from critics. Her following release, Dil Bole Hadippa (2009) was selected to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
. The project, co-starring Shahid Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films. He is also a trained dancer.Starting off his career by working in music videos and advertisements, Kapoor made his Bollywood debut as a background dancer in Subhash Ghai's Taal . Four years later, he made his acting debut in Ishq...
, under-performed at the box office though Mukerji's portrayal of a feisty Punjabi village girl who dreams of playing cricket was generally well-received by critics.
In 2011, Mukerji starred in UTV Motion Pictures
UTV Motion Pictures
UTV Motion Pictures Plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of UTV Software Communications Ltd. , based in London media and entertainment production company...
' No One Killed Jessica
No One Killed Jessica
No One Killed Jessica is a 2011 Bollywood film starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan, produced by UTV Spotboy and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who directed the acclaimed film Aamir ....
(2011), a film based on the Jessica Lal
Jessica Lal
Jessica Lal was a model in New Delhi, who was working as a celebrity barmaid at a crowded socialite party when she was shot dead on 29 April 1999. Dozens of witnesses pointed to Siddharth Vashisht, a.k.a...
murder case. Upon release, Mukerji's portrayal of journalist Meera Gaity received mostly positive reviews. The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...
wrote, "Rani's character being fictional and glamourized seems superficial to an extent but she packs in the punch required for her dynamic character." While other critics praised her performance, with Daily News and Analysis describing it as "one of her best performances till date," several critics were less positive, including Anupama Chopra
Anupama Chopra
Anupama Chopra is a noted author, journalist and film critic. She has written several books on Indian cinema and has been a movie reviewer with NDTV and India Today.-Career:...
of NDTV
NDTV
NDTV is an Indian commercial broadcasting television network founded in 1988. It was founded by Prannoy Roy, an eminent journalist and current chairman and director of NDTV Group. NDTV currently has more than 1,000 employees producing news from over twenty locations in India...
, who called her role, "the fatal, false note in No One Killed Jessica," arguing that "The character is written superficially and Rani’s portrayal of her is equally banal. It’s all about externals. She argues a lot and proudly labels herself a bitch but her hair stays perfectly in place and in the end, she even gets to do a super-hero-like slow motion walk."
As of November 2011, her upcoming films include Reema Kagti
Reema Kagti
Reema Kagti is an Indian film director. She made her debut as director with critically acclaimed Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.-Personal life:Reema did her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Sophia College, Mumbai. She also pursued a post graduates diploma in Social Communications Media at...
's suspense thriller Talaash co-starring Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
and Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
and Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Singh Kashyap is an Indian film director and screenwriter. As a director, he is known for Black Friday , a controversial and award-winning Hindi film about the 1993 Bombay bombings, followed by No Smoking , Dev D and Gulaal...
's Aiyaa opposite Prithviraj
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Prithviraj Sukumaran credited mononymously as Prithviraj, is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema....
.
Personal life
Mukerji changed the English transliteration of her surname from Mukherjee to Mukerji several years ago. At the time, it was reported that she did this for numerological reasons. In 2006, Mukerji stated that numerology was not a concern; her name had been put down as Mukerji on her passport, and she wanted to be consistent.Mukerji has three homes in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, including her childhood home. She bought a bungalow
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
in Juhu for herself and her parents in mid-2005. The house went through a two year renovation with the interiors done by Twinkle Khanna
Twinkle Khanna
Twinkle Khanna is an Indian film actress who has acted in Bollywood and Telugu films. She is the wife of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and the daughter of established actors, Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna...
and Sussanne Roshan.
Controversies
In June 2005, Mukerji was widely criticized following the publication of an interview with British newspaper Desi XpressDesi Xpress
Desi Xpress was a weekly national entertainment newspaper, published in the United Kingdom by Urban Media Limited.-Background:Desi Xpress was first launched in the Midlands region in England in September 2004 before becoming national in September 2005.The entertainment weekly catered predominantly...
. Mukerji was asked to name her idol and she replied, "Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
". However, in an interview with Times Now
Times Now
Times Now is a 24-hour English language news channel based in Mumbai and broadcast primarily in the South Asian region. The channel was launched in 2006 as a joint-venture of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., the publishers of The Times of India and Reuters. Arnab Goswami is the Editor-in Chief and...
a year later, she denied ever mentioning Hitler's name.
In November 2006, Mukerji was shooting for the film Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - Journey Of A Woman is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and starring Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher with special appearances by Abhishek Bachchan and Hema Malini...
in Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
when avid fans crowded the set. Security personnel beat the crowd back. A media storm followed as various groups insisted that Mukerji should have stopped the security guards. Mukerji later issued an apology.
Other work
In March 2004, Mukerji visited the sandy dunes of RajasthanRajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
to boost the morale of the jawan
Jawan
Jawan refers to a young man in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Punjabi. It can also refer to a "donkey" in the Bengali language. In the Indian subcontinent, it has additionally taken on the reference to an infantryman, and is used in much the same meaning as soldier in English...
s. It was for a show where entertainers and stars visit Indian troops in far-flung regions to encourage them along with the NDTV team. In February 2005, Mukerji performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert to help raise money for the victims of Tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
in company with other Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
stars. She was highly involved in the Temptations 2005 show in New Delhi. The actress helped to raise funds for the National Centre For Promotional of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a leading disabled rights' group. Mukerji donated her prize money, her half-share of 50 lakh rupees from her 2007 appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati
Kaun Banega Crorepati
Kaun Banega Crorepati is an Indian reality/game show based on the UK game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? which offers a maximum cash prize of £1 million. The show first aired in 2000 and was hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. This was the first appearance of Bachchan on Indian television...
with Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
, to the Holy Family Hospital. She said that this institution looks after children with heart problems.
Mukerji is a stage performer and has participated in two world tours. Her first world tour was in the year 1999 with Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
, Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian film actress. She worked as a model before starting her acting career, and ultimately won the Miss World pageant in 1994...
, Akshaye Khanna
Akshaye Khanna
Akshaye Khanna is a critically acclaimed Indian film actor who works in Hindi cinema. Known for his impeccable acting talent and flawless diction, Khanna has worked with the best names in Indian cinema.- Background :...
and Twinkle Khanna
Twinkle Khanna
Twinkle Khanna is an Indian film actress who has acted in Bollywood and Telugu films. She is the wife of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and the daughter of established actors, Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna...
. It was called the Magnificent Five. Five years later, Temptations 2004 came along. It was the most successful Bollywood concert in its time. Mukerji performed alongside Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
, Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. He is the son of the late former Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters: Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan....
, Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
, Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal , born 26 November 1972, is an award-winning Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films, as well as a fashion model.- Film career :...
and Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra is an Indian actress and former Miss World. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model and gained fame after winning the Miss World title in 2000. She is often referred to by the nickname "Piggy Chops", which was given to her by co-stars on the set of the film...
in nineteen stage shows across the globe.
In 2009, Mukerji made made her television debut as judge with the dance reality show Dance Premier League
Dance Premier League
Dance Premier League is an Indian dance reality show that premiered on Sony TV on October 9, 2009. The series is judged by Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar who guides all six teams as an 'umpire', and Hindi film actress Rani Mukerji...
. She explained her stint with television, saying that it made her "more accessible" to the audience and helped her "gain visibility when [she was] not doing too many films." In 2011, she reprised her role as Meera Gaity on the TV series C.I.D. in a guest appearance to promote No One Killed Jessica.
In the media
Rani Mukerji occupied the top slot of Filmfare's 'Top Ten Bollywood Actresses' list for two years in a row (2004–2005). She was also placed number one on Rediff's 'Top Bollywood Female Stars' Rankings for three consecutive years (2004–2006), while in 2007, she was ranked at number five.In February 2006, Filmfare Magazine placed her eighth amongst the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood", an achievement she repeated from the previous year, where she was ranked at number ten, the only woman on the list. In 2007, she was ranked at number five.
On Women's International Day 2007, Mukerji came in fourth position on the All-Time Best Bollywood Actresses Ever listing.
She was placed at number #36 by UK magazine Eastern Eye as one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006). Mukerji is frequently featured in various lists by Rediff.com
Rediff.com
Rediff.com India is a news, information, entertainment, and shopping portal. It was founded in 1996 as "Rediff On The NeT" and is headquartered in Mumbai, India with offices in New Delhi and New York City, USA....
, among them, Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses, Bollywood's Best Dressed Women and Women of Many Faces.
Mukerji has made four appearances in Karan Johar
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and Television host. He is the son of Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood. He is most known for directing and producing some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and the...
's talk show Koffee with Karan
Koffee with Karan
Koffee with Karan is a talk show on STAR World India, hosted by Mumbai based film producer and director Karan Johar.- Overview :...
. She appeared with Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
, Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
and Kajol
Kajol
Kajol Devgn , better known as Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors....
, Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi films. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses and most accomplished dancers. She appeared in numerous commercially successful films and was recognised for several of...
as a surprise guest and with Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan is an Indian actress, who appears in Hindi films. After graduating with a degree in sociology, she started her career starring in music videos, television shows and commercials, before appearing in feature films....
promoting their film No One Killed Jessica
No One Killed Jessica
No One Killed Jessica is a 2011 Bollywood film starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan, produced by UTV Spotboy and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who directed the acclaimed film Aamir ....
(2011)
Rani made her entry in to the small screen with the dance reality show Dance Premier League
Dance Premier League
Dance Premier League is an Indian dance reality show that premiered on Sony TV on October 9, 2009. The series is judged by Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar who guides all six teams as an 'umpire', and Hindi film actress Rani Mukerji...
in 2009.
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat is a 1997 Hindi movie written and directed by Ashok Gaikwad. The film introduces prominent newcomers Rani Mukerji and Shadaab Khan who is the son of legendary actor Amjad Khan... |
Mala | |
| 1998 | Ghulam Ghulam Ghulam is a 1998 Hindi film directed by Vikram Bhatt and starring Aamir Khan. The film was inspired by Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront . It is the second remake of On the Waterfront after Kabzaa starring Sanjay Dutt... |
Alisha | |
| 1998 | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a Hindi romantic comedy film, released in India and the United Kingdom on 16 October 1998. The film was written and directed by the debuting Karan Johar and stars the popular on-screen pair of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in their fourth movie together... |
Tina Malhotra | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1998 | Mehndi Mehndi (film) Mehndi is an Indian film released in 1998. It was written and directed by Hamid Ali Khan. It stars popular Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji of Ghulam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai fame. The movie is a typical melodrama teaching moral values. Arbaaz Khan is also in the cast.- Synopsis :Pooja is a newly wed... |
Pooja | |
| 1999 | Mann | Special appearance in the song "Kaali Naagin Ke" | |
| 1999 | Hello Brother | Rani | |
| 2000 | Badal Badal Badal is a 2000 Bollywood movie directed by Raj Kanwar. The film stars Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji in lead roles. The movie is set in 1984 when riots were engulfing parts of Punjab and Delhi. The movie is inspired by The Devil's Own, starring Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford.-Plot:The police are... |
Rani | |
| 2000 | Hey Ram Hey Ram Hey Ram is a controversial Indian film released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000 and written, directed, produced by and starring Kamal Haasan... |
Aparna Ram | |
| 2000 | Hadh Kar Di Aapne Hadh Kar Di Aapne Hadh Kar Di Aapne is a 2000 Hindi movie directed by Manoj Agrawal. The film stars Govinda and Rani Mukerji.- Synopsis :... |
Anjali Khanna | |
| 2000 | Bichhoo Bichhoo Bichhoo is a 2000 Bollywood film directed by Guddu Dhanoa. It is a suspense film, and the lead roles are played by Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji... |
Kiran Bali | |
| 2000 | Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega is a 2000 Bollywood film directed by Raj Kanwar. The film stars Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji. It received moderate box office status... |
Pooja Oberoi | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2000 | Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye | Priya Sharma | |
| 2001 | Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Chori Chori Chupke Chupke is a 2001 Hindi movie directed by the successful pair Abbas-Mustan. It stars Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta... |
Priya Malhotra | |
| 2001 | Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai is a 2001 Hindi movie was written and directed by Goldie Behl. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Sushmita Sen and Jackie Shroff... |
Pooja Shrivastav | |
| 2001 | Nayak: The Real Hero Nayak: The Real Hero Nayak: The Real Hero is a 2001 Indian movie starring Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. It was directed by S. Shankar. The film is a remake of S. Shankar's earlier released Tamil film Mudhalvan . The film's score and soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman, were dubbed from Mudhalvan into Hindi for the... |
Manjari | |
| 2001 | Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... | Naina Kapoor | Cameo |
| 2002 | Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai is a 2002 Indian movie directed by Kirti Kumar, starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji. It is a remake of the Tamil movie Sollamale.- Synopsis :... |
Payal Khuranna | |
| 2002 | Mujhse Dosti Karoge! Mujhse Dosti Karoge! - The Medley :The film featured a medley of eighteen songs which was a major hit with the audience. The songs contained mostly old songs with a few modern songs. Most of the songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar were sung in her earlier years... |
Pooja Sahani | |
| 2002 | Saathiya | Dr. Suhani Sharma/Sehgal | Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. The award is given by the chosen jury of critics assigned to the function, and is a derivation from a previous award known as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance,... Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2002 | Chalo Ishq Ladaaye Chalo Ishq Ladaaye Chalo Ishq Ladaaye ) is a 2002 Indian movie directed by Aziz Sejawal, starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji. The film is a comedy.- Synopsis :... |
Sapna | |
| 2003 | Chalte Chalte | Priya Chopra | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2003 | Chori Chori Chori Chori (2003 film) Chori Chori is a 2003 Hindi movie directed by Milan Luthria. The film is a comedy. It stars Ajay Devgan and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. It is not related to the 1956 Hindi film of the same name.- Plot :... |
Khushi Malhotra | |
| 2003 | Calcutta Mail Calcutta Mail Calcutta Mail is a 2003 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. It was directed by Sudhir Mishra.- Plot :Avinash comes to Calcutta to search for his only son and finds himself engulfed with too many people interested in him... |
Reema/Bulbul | |
| 2003 | Kal Ho Naa Ho Kal Ho Naa Ho Kal Ho Naa Ho is a 2003 Hindi film set in New York City. It stars Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan and Jaya Bachchan. The film was directed by first-timer Nikhil Advani, it was produced by Yash Johar and co-written by Karan Johar, better known as the director of the hit films Kuch Kuch... |
Special appearance in the song "Mahi Ve" | |
| 2003 | LOC Kargil LOC Kargil LOC Kargil is a 2003 Bollywood war film based on the Kargil War, directed and written by J. P. Dutta. The film stars a large number of Bollywood stars.- Plot :The film is an attempt to dramatize a synopsis of the 1999 Kargil War .... |
Hema | |
| 2004 | Yuva Yuva Yuva , originally titled Howrah Bridge is a feature film directed by Indian director Mani Ratnam and released in 2004. Simultaneously made in Hindi and Tamil , the prime objective of the movie was to motivate educated Indian youths to enter politics.The film tells the stories of three young men... |
Sashi Biswas | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2004 | Hum Tum Hum Tum Hum Tum is a Bollywood movie, released in India on 28 May 2004, directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra. The movie stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles.... |
Rhea Prakash | Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2004 | Veer-Zaara Veer-Zaara The soundtrack was released on CD and specially on Audio DVD. The music is based on old and untouched compositions by the late Madan Mohan, as revised by his son Sanjeev Kohli.... |
Saamiya Siddiqui | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2005 | Black | Michelle McNally | Filmfare Award for Best Actress Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. The award is given by the chosen jury of critics assigned to the function, and is a derivation from a previous award known as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance,... |
| 2005 | Bunty Aur Babli Bunty Aur Babli Bunty Aur Babli , released in 2005, is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Shaad Ali and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan. It was the first film to feature both Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, and featured guest appearances by Aishwarya Rai and Tania... |
Vimmi Saluja (Babli) | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2005 | Paheli Paheli Paheli is a Bollywood ghost movie, released in India on 24 June 2005, directed by Amol Palekar and produced by Gauri Khan, Sanjiv Chawla and Shahrukh Khan, who also plays the male lead... |
Lachchi Bhanwarlal | |
| 2005 | Mangal Pandey: The Rising Mangal Pandey: The Rising Mangal Pandey: The Rising or The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey is an Indian movie based on the life of Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier who is known for his role in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It is directed by Ketan Mehta, produced by Bobby Bedi, and with a screenplay by Farrukh Dhondy... |
Heera | |
| 2006 | Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna commonly known as KANK is a 2006 Bollywood film directed by Karan Johar and produced under the Dharma Productions banner... |
Maya Talwar | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2006 | Baabul | Malvika "Milli" Talwar/Kapoor | |
| 2007 | Ta Ra Rum Pum | Radhika Shekar Rai Banerjee (Shona) |
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| 2007 | Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - Journey Of A Woman is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and starring Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher with special appearances by Abhishek Bachchan and Hema Malini... |
Vibhavari Sahay (Badki)/ Natasha |
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2007 | Saawariya Saawariya Saawariya is a 2007 Hindi film based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's short story "White Nights".Co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and released on 9 November 2007, it is the first Bollywood movie to receive a North American release by a Hollywood studio, shortly preceding Walt Disney Pictures'... |
Gulabji | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2007 | Om Shanti Om | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Deewangi Deewangi" |
| 2008 | Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is a 2008 Hindi film with Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in lead roles and Rishi Kapoor and Ameesha Patel in special appearances. The child artists include Akshat Chopra, Shriya Sharma, Rachit Sidana and Ayushi Berman... |
Geeta | |
| 2008 | Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi | Special appearance in the song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte" is a song from the 2008 Indian film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi rendered by Sonu Nigam. In the movie itself, it appears as a dream item number during another movie. The song is pictured on Shah Rukh Khan and in chronological order, Kajol, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Priety Zinta,... " |
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| 2009 | Luck by Chance Luck by Chance Luck By Chance is a 2009 Indian drama film written and directed by Zoya Akhtar. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the film stars Farhan Akhtar and Konkana Sen Sharma in the lead roles... |
Herself | |
| 2009 | Dil Bole Hadippa! Dil Bole Hadippa! -External links:* from IBN Live.in* from Orissadiary.com... |
Veera Kaur/Veer Pratap Singh | |
| 2011 | No One Killed Jessica No One Killed Jessica No One Killed Jessica is a 2011 Bollywood film starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan, produced by UTV Spotboy and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who directed the acclaimed film Aamir .... |
Meera Gaity | |
| 2012 | Talaash | Filming | |
| 2012 | Koochie Koochie Hota Hain Koochie Koochie Hota Hain Koochie Koochie Hota Hai is an upcoming Computer-animated Bollywood film directed by Tarun Mansukhani and Vishal Sonawane. The voice-over for the lead anthropomorphic characters has been given by Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Anupam Kher, Uday Chopra and Simi... |
Tina | Post-production |
| 2012 | Aiyaa | Filming |
Television
| Year | Show | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Dance Premier League Dance Premier League Dance Premier League is an Indian dance reality show that premiered on Sony TV on October 9, 2009. The series is judged by Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar who guides all six teams as an 'umpire', and Hindi film actress Rani Mukerji... |
Judge | Sony TV |
| 2011 | CID | Guest Role: Meera Gaity | Sony TV |
See also
- List of Indian film actresses
- List of Bengali actresses
- List of Bengalis