ARTICLE

Rani's forthcoming films! by Debasis Jana (Taken from www.indiatarget.com)

By Poonam Bisht

She defies all logic of being the number one actress of Bollywood. With 5 feet 2 height, ordinary vital stats, a simple face and an unusual, irritating (yes to many) voice, she might not come across as a typical Bollywood queen to an onlooker. Unlike most of the previous number one actresses in Hindi Cinema (the exceptionally beautiful Madhubala, dreamgirl Hema Malini, seductive Rekha, sensuous Sridevi, magnificent Madhuri Dixit or the lethal beauty Aishwarya), she has no extraordinary charms.

One really wonders, how this petite actress has managed to thrive, or rather establish an unchallenged reign (so far) in the film industry (which has seen sexy sirens the likes of Mumtaz, Zeenat Aman & Parveen Babi in the past, not to forget the present generation's in–your-face exposure queens like Mallika Sherawat or Tanisha).

The answer is, her ordinary self is the very essence of her extraordinary talent. Not convinced? Well, take your memory back several decades when a short-statured actress entered Hindi cinema which was then ruled mostly by sensuous beauties. With the superiority of her talent she took the industry by storm. With her simplicity of heart, this Millee or Guddi left an everlasting imprint in the minds and hearts of the viewers. It seemed that such class would never be found or matched again. Well, how true it was!

The wait was pretty long. But, finally, our girl next door arrived to fill the spot. Yes, (with no offence to any one), the sheer brilliance and superiority of Rani Mukherjee’s talent can only be compared with that of ‘one of the finest actresses of Hindi cinema’ Jaya Bhaduri.

Rani, the light-eyed actress was born on March 21, 1978. Being the daughter of director Ram Mukherjee, acting was in her blood. Despite her film background, she struggled like an ordinary starlet. Not many people know that Bollywood wouldn’t have got the chance to see her potential had she got married to a guy she liked before making her acting debut. However, destiny had something else in store for her. Her parents didn’t approve of the guy and after a few days of heartbreak, Rani recollected her senses and made her film debut in the movie Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat. Thought her performance (as a rape victim) did show some signs of what was to come, the movie bombed at the box office. It was followed by an equally forgetful Mehndi. Then she disappeared from the scene for a while.

But she bounced back with the Aamir Khan starrer Ghulam and earned country-wide fame as the Khandala Girl. She was not only noticed but appreciated in the movie as well. It was at this time that she was offered the role of Tina by Karan Johar for his first directorial venture Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. But there was a slight problem here. She was overweight and pitted against the golden couple (SRK and Kajol, who is incidentally her cousin and the top actress then). But she accepted the challenge. And boy, she gave a sizzling performance and even won the Best Supporting Actress Award for the movie.

The best part was that she finally emerged out of the so-called shadow of her cousin. She then worked in Kamal Haasan’s controversial flick Hey Ram thinking that it would take her career to new heights. But it didn’t happen. In the next two to three years, the wrong choice of movies cost Rani’s career dearly. Her senseless movies with Govinda and Bobby Deol (Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Badal, Bichchoo etc.), extra flab and horrendous dressing sense, a la Govinda earned her flak from the audience.

Her career had hit rock bottom at this time and rumours of her alleged link-up with Govinda further ruined her career. Nothing seemed to be working for her. One after the other, all her movies (Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye, Pyar Diwana Hota Hai, Bus Itna Sa Khwab Hai, Nayak, Chori Chori, Chalo Ishq Ladaye etc) failed.

But Rani was a born fighter. Though she had full confidence in her acting abilities, she felt something was still missing. She then followed a rigorous diet regime, worked on her looks, took on the services of Manish Malhotra and vowed not to sign movies rashly. Now, she needed the right opportunity. And it did come. From the very banner that every actress dreams of being a part of. She signed newcomer Shaad Ali’s movie Saathiya under the Yash Raj banner. It proved to be the turning point of her career. The audience saw a completely transformed Rani, sexy yet with the innocence of the girl-next-door. Her wonderful performance won her the Filmfare Critic Award for Best Actress.

Apart from the wide acclaim, she got what every actress desired for. The faith of the Chopras. They repeated her in Kareena-Hritik starrer Mujhse Dosti Karoge.

Rani’s pleasing nature, humility, genuine smile and sincerity of emotions have won her numerous friends in the industry. No wonder she is the hot favourite of most of the so-called camps, the romance kings Chopras, Khans (Aamir and Shahrukh are among her best friends), Johars, Bachchans and even the talent powerhouse Bhansali. How many actresses can boast of having direct access to the shoulder of Aamir Khan to cry on when Karan Johar preferred Preity Zinta over Rani for Kal Ho Na Ho.

Rani’s dignified nature has never allowed her ‘to bitch’ about other actresses or actors for the gossip magazines. She just knows how to win friends and keep them with her forever.

She values friendship and worships work. Unlike several other top actresses (a la Kareena) who give prominence to their price tag, Rani’s is always willing to lower her price for a good role.

Rani made some fantastic career moves in 2004 and 2005. She accepted the offer of SRK productions’ Chalte Chalte (earlier offered to Ash) and it turned out to be one of the biggest hits of 2004 though it soured her relations with the former Miss World. She delivered a great performance in Calcutta Mail (a lesser known film). She also won wide acclaim for Chopra`s Veer Zaara. By this time she had refined her acting skills to such a level that she created a records of sorts by winning the Filmfare Awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in 2004 for Hum Tum and Yuva.

None of her contemporaries (Ash, Preity or Kareena) could match her in terms of box-office success, critical acclaim and big banners. Even her friend and professional rival Kareena, when once asked what Rani had that she didn’t, was quick to reply ‘the Chopras’. Rani’s midas touch continued in 2005 with big successes like Bunty Aur Babli and Paheli. However, with Bhansali’s Black she has entered the genre of Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Rani went on to win the prestigious Filmfare Best Actress Award for her portrayal of a dumb, deaf and blind girl in Black. She also won Zee Cine Award for the same category. No wonder, Bhansali, one of the most talented directors today, has termed Rani the best actress in the country of this generation.

The vibrance, sincerity and emotional appeal of the light-eyed Bengali beauty, combined with her unmatched talent, are an inspiration for the rest to follow.

Did you expect so many nominations for Black?
Well, we are quite thrilled that Black has been nominated for so many categories in the Screen Awards and I feel all the nominations are rightly deserved.

And the Best Actress Award, were you confident that you would win the trophy this year?
I was positive but very, very anxious. Even though everyone assured me that I had no competition, I could not believe it till I heard my name announced.

You got very emotional talking about Amitabh Bachchan.
Because all of us in the unit have shared so many beautiful moments during the making of the film. While I was on stage, I felt our joy was incomplete without his presence at the show that day. I missed him terribly.

Are you a part of Sanjay’s next film as well?
Yes. Sanjay is very, very special to me and I’m honoured that he has considered me for his project yet again.

How was it working with Preity Zinta in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna?
Preity and I are fantastic together. She’s a great co-star and I enjoy working with her. All these stories about problems between us are untrue. We are not kids to fight on the sets.

Isn’t it ironical that she has been signed for Shaad Ali’s next after his Bunty Aur Babli with you, while you have signed Siddharth Anand’s next after Salaam Namaste?
I don’t know why everybody wants to know what we are doing next. Just be patient and you will get to know who is doing what. I’m looking forward to working with Siddharth because he has assisted in Hum Tum and he’s a really fun guy. But it’s too early to comment on anything now.

What are your feelings for Paheli’s hope at the Oscars?
We didn’t think about all this while making the film. I’m not aware of the criteria for selection but as part of the film unit and the citizen of the country, I’m hoping Paheli wins. I’m also very happy that four of my movies: Black, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, Veer-Zaara and Paheli were considered.

Three things you’re looking forward to in the New Year?
Finishing off Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Babul in style, signing some great new projects and something very personal in my real life.

And what’s that?
Well, I’m going to be an aunt. My brother, Raja and bhabhi Jyoti are going to be parents, so I’m really excited.

And winning awards? You seem to have made a habit of picking up at least two trophies every year?
I’m so delighted. God has been kind and I have been privileged to get films that have come in for recognition. It started with Saathiya and I truly value all the Screen trophies on my shelf.

The year 2005 completely belonged to the Bengali Bollywood beauty as her films did a good business at the box office. The tremendous success of 'Black', 'Veer Zaara' 'Paheli' and 'Bunty Aur Babli' speaks for her indomitable stature.

"I feel great that 'Paheli' has finally made it to the Oscars. This year was good for me because all my three films - Black, Paheli and Veer-Zaara - were in the race for the Oscars. So it brings a lot of joy and happiness to me as I worked hard for all my films and finally one of them has reached the Oscar," she said.

Rani made her debut in 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat', but her second movie 'Ghulam' provided her career the much needed U-turn. It won her instant acclaim and recognition. And from there Rani never looked back. She received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award in 1998 for her outstanding performance in her third movie 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.

Rani was proud to be associated with actor-director Kamal Haasan in his film 'Hey Ram', but the film did not propel her career to the extent she had expected. Another movie 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge' flopped at the box office but her acting was greatly appreciated. A series of unsuccessful runs did not dampen her giggly self.

Rani says one of the nicest aspects of her career has been the association with her co-stars.

"I think I have a soft corner for all my co-stars because I have learnt something or the other from them and they have been nice and helpful right from my first film. I get along with mostly all of them, but my most favourite is Shah Rukh Khan," she said.

When asked about her hobbies, the actress asserted, "I like acting, acting and acting."

'Babul' and 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' are Rani's two projects lined up for mid next year.

In recent time, actress Rani Mukherji has left her contemporary heroines far behind in the race.

Her rule over Bollywood started last year in Mani Ratnam's 'Yuva', it's still unchallenged and continuing.

Now whatever films she signs on became big news, and considering the huge curiosity and craze among the common moviegoers about her, in this edition we will focus on her forthcoming films.