Bollywood icon Rani Mukerji pulls no punches while reminiscing about her 30-year rollercoaster in Hindi films. Dismissing notions of calculated moves, she insists, ‘Filmmaking was never about a master plan for me—it was about following my heart.’
Debuting as a teenager in the late ’90s, Rani quickly transitioned from supporting roles to leading lady status. Her breakthrough came with intense performances in ‘Ghulam’ and the iconic ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ where she shared screen space with Karan Johar’s dream cast.
The 2000s were her golden era. ‘Saathiya,’ a Mani Ratnam production, showcased her dramatic chops alongside Vivek Oberoi. Commercial successes like ‘Hum Tum,’ ‘Veer-Zaara,’ and the con caper ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ proved her commercial viability. But Rani’s true strength lay in challenging roles—’Black’ opposite Amitabh Bachchan remains a career-defining masterpiece, earning her multiple awards.
Marriage to Aditya Chopra in 2014 and motherhood shifted priorities. She took a five-year sabbatical, returning with the powerful ‘Mardaani’ franchise as the fearless Shivani Shivaji Roy. Her recent global acclaim for ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’ underscores her timeless appeal.
Looking ahead, Rani emphasizes quality over quantity. ‘I want stories that matter,’ she asserts. At 30 years strong, her career exemplifies how instinct, talent, and perseverance trump any strategic playbook in showbiz.
