Rani Mukerji
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| Rani Mukerji | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image:Rani Mukerji.jpg Rani at the launch of Titan Raga Crystals (2007) | ||||||
| Birth name | Rani Mukherjee | |||||
| Born | March 21 1978 Kolkata, West Bengal, India | |||||
| Other name(s) | Rani Mukherji, Rani Mukerjee | |||||
| Occupation | Film actress | |||||
| Years active | 1996 - present | |||||
| Spouse(s) | None | |||||
| ||||||
Rani Mukerji (Bengali: রাণী মুখার্জী, Hindi: रानी मुखर्जी) born on March 21, 1978, is an award winning Indian film actress who works in Bollywood movies.
Making her acting debut with Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1996), Mukerji had her first commercial success with Karan Johar's romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), her biggest hit so far, and won her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance in the film. She later starred in many films, most of which fared below expectations. She re-invented her image with Saathiya (2002), which was commercially and critically successful.
In 2004, her performances in the hit Hum Tum and the critically acclaimed Yuva earned her the Best Actress and the Best Supporting Actress awards at the Filmfare, making her the first actress to win two major awards in the same year. She received unanimous praise for her role as a deaf-blind girl in the film Black (2005), as well as many awards for her memorable performance, establishing herself as a leading actress in Bollywood.[1]
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[edit] Career
[edit] Early work, until 1997
While in school at the age of 14, Mukerji did a cameo role in her father's Bengali film Biyar Phool (1992). Four years later, she played the protagonist of Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1996). When the film was unsuccessful at the box office, Mukerji returned to college to complete her education.[2]
[edit] Breakthrough, 1998 - 2002
Mukerji's first release in 1998 was Ghulam opposite Aamir Khan, which did very well at the box office.[3] Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) came next, starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. The movie was a blockbuster[3] and she received her first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category.
After this she signed on several projects. Unfortunately, most of the movies did not do well at the box office.[4] However, Badal was one of the highest grossing films of 2000.[5]
The year also had her in the lead role of Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) opposite Hrithik Roshan which was her first film with India's biggest production house: Yash Raj Films. Although, the movie did not do well in India, it generated great business overseas, especially in the United Kingdom.[6] Mukerji's next release was Saathiya where she played a medical student who deals with the tensions and discontent of married life. The film was critically appreciated[7] and was amongst the top five grossing movies of the year.[8]
[edit] Success, 2003 - present
Mukerji's first movie in 2003, Chalte Chalte opposite Shah Rukh Khan, was a hit,[9] and earned her various nominations in the Best Actress category at various award ceremonies. Among another three releases that year, Mukerji starred in Chori Chori. She portrayed her first comic role in the film,[10] and although it did not do well, Mukerji's comic timing was praised.[11]
In 2004, Mukerji's performance as a Bengali housewife in Yuva won her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Though the film failed to do well,[12] her performance was critically acclaimed with one critic writing, "the role demanded an actress of substance and Rani more than lives up to the expectations".[13] Her next film was the commercially successful Hum Tum, which won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Her last release, Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara, was the top grossing movie of the year.[14] Mukerji's performance as a Pakistani lawyer in the love saga won her favourable reviews.[15]
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. Mukerji received critical acclaim for her performance in Black for which she collected many trophies in the category of Best Actress at various award ceremonies. When Bhansali first came to Mukerji with the offer, she turned it down.[16] Mukerji stated that she was not confident enough to play such a role as she had no knowledge on the deaf and blind.[16] Once the director put faith in her, she agreed to do it and intensely studied sign language with professionals. To prepare for her role in Black, she had to go through six to seven months of training at the Helen Keller Institute in Mumbai.[17] Her performance was greeted with unanimous praise. Taran Adarsh from Indiafm.com 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".[18] Her next release, Bunty Aur Babli, surfaced as one of the biggest hits of the year.[19] The film though successful at the box office opened to mixed reviews. Nevertheless, Mukerji received Best Actress nominations from the IIFA Awards and Filmfare Awards.
Mukerji was offered the lead role in Hollywood film, The Namesake but owing to clashing dates with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, she could not commit to Mira Nair's project.[20] Mukerji had two releases in 2006. The first was Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, the film opened to mixed reviews but emerged as the most successful movie ever overseas.[21] She received several nominations for Best Actress, and won her third IIFA Best Actress Award for the third consecutive year. Mukerji's next release was B.R. Chopra's Baabul. Although much hyped, the movie did not do well at the box office in India[22] but proved to be a hit overseas.[21] Her role as a widow was appreciated.
Mukerji's first release of 2007 was Ta Ra Rum Pum where she played a mother for the first time on celluloid. The movie was a semi-hit at the box office. Her performance as a pianist turned housewife was generally praised. One critic mentioned, "Rani enacts the role of the mother/wife proficiently".[23] Her next two releases: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Saawariya did poorly at the box office.
In recent times, Mukerji is collaborating with her brother to set up a Television studio.[24]
[edit] Personal life
- See also: Mukherjee-Samarth family (film)
Mukerji comes from a film-oriented family of Bengali origin. Her father Ram Mukherjee is a retired director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios[25] 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.
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.
Gossip columnists have linked Mukerji to many industry figures, but she has strongly denied every single rumour of romance.[26] Several gossip columns have also claimed that she is regularly in feud with some of the Bollywood actors and actresses, but Mukerji has denied this.[26]
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, 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.[27]
[edit] Controversies
In June 2005, Mukerji was widely criticized following the publication of an interview with British newspaper Desi Xpress. Mukerji was asked to name her idol and she replied, "Adolf Hitler".[28] However, in an interview with Times Now a year later, she denied ever mentioning Hitler's name.[28]
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 with sticks.[29] A media storm followed as various groups insisted that Mukerji should have stopped the security guards. Mukerji later issued an apology.[29]
[edit] Famous commitments
[edit] Humanitarian work
In March 2004, Mukerji visited the sandy dunes of Rajasthan to boost the morale of the jawans. It was for a show where entertainers and stars visit Indian troops in far-flung regions to encourage them along with the NDTV team.[30]
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.[31]
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.[32]
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 which is a major setback in India.[33]
[edit] World tours
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.[34] The show was widely watched in every city where it was showcased.
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.[35]
[edit] Special events
In 2005, Mukerji was a guest of honour at a state dinner to greet General Pervez Musharraf in company of the Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh.[36] The government found out that she was Begum Musharraf's favourite Bollywood star and invited her. Mukerji was the only Bollywood star on the elite guest list.[37]
She appeared along with various other Bollywood actors at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as part of a performance showcasing Indian culture, on behalf of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi.[38] For her three minutes dance act alongside Saif Ali Khan, she was reportedly paid 1.5 crore rupees.
[edit] In the media
Rani Mukerji was on the top slot of Filmfare's 'Top Ten Bollywood Actresses' list for two years in a row (2004-2005).[39] She was also placed number one on Rediff's 'Top Bollywood Female Stars' Rankings for three consecutive years (2004-2006) while in 2007, the actress was ranked at number five.[1]
In February 2006, Filmfare Magazine placed her eighth amongst the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood",[40] an achievement she repeated from the previous year, where she was ranked at number ten as the only woman on the male-dominated list.[41] In 2007, she was again the only woman on the list but ranked higher at number five.[42]
On Women's International Day 2007, Mukerji came in the fourth position on the All-Time Best Bollywood Actresses Ever Listing after Madhuri Dixit, Madhubala and Nargis.[43]
She was placed at number #36 by UK magazine Eastern Eye as one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006).[44] Mukerji is frequently featured in various lists by Rediff.com, among them, Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses,[45] Bollywood's Best Dressed Women[46] and Women of Many Faces.[47]
Mukerji appeared twice in Karan Johar's talk show Koffee with Karan. She appeared with Kareena Kapoor in 2004. Her second appearance was during the first episode of the second season along with Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. She made her third appearance with Madhuri Dixit as a surprise guest. Recently, she made her first appearance on a reality show, along with its contestants on Star Voice of India while the finalists performed to a medley of famous songs from her films.[48]
[edit] Awards and honours
[edit] Filmography
[edit] See also
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards | ||
| Preceded by Rani Mukerji for Hum Tum | Best Actress for Black 2006 | Succeeded by Kajol for Fanaa |
| Preceded by Kareena Kapoor for Dev | Best Actress (Critics) for Black 2006 | Succeeded by Kareena Kapoor for Omkara |
| Preceded by Preity Zinta for Kal Ho Naa Ho | Best Actress for Hum Tum 2005 | Succeeded by Rani Mukerji for Black |
| Preceded by Jaya Bachchan for Kal Ho Naa Ho | Best Supporting Actress for Yuva 2005 | Succeeded by Ayesha Kapoor for Black |
| Preceded by Karisma Kapoor for Zubeidaa | Best Actress (Critics) for Saathiya tied with Manisha Koirala for Company 2003 | Succeeded by Urmila Matondkar for Bhoot |
| Preceded by Karisma Kapoor for Dil To Pagal Hai | Best Supporting Actress for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 1999 | Succeeded by Sushmita Sen for Biwi No.1 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sen, Raja (December 29, 2004). Best Actress 2004. Rediff.com. Retrieved on August 30, 2006
Kulkarni, Ronjita (December 23, 2005). Ten best Bollywood actresses of 2005. Rediff.com. Retrieved on February 24, 2007
Sen, Raja (August 25, 2006). Powerlist: Top Bollywood Actresses. Rediff.com. Retrieved on February 24, 2007
Sen, Raja (December 18, 2007). The most powerful actresses of 2007. Rediff.com. Retrieved on December 25, 2007 - ^ Singh, Asha (October 11, 2001). Her talent speaks for itself. The Tribune, India. Retrieved on July 16, 2005.
- ^ a b Box Office Results 1998. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Rani Mukherjee. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ Box Office 2000. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on January 1, 2006.
- ^ United Kingdom Box Office Estimates for weekend starting 09-08-02. IMDb. Internet Movie Database Inc. (August 9, 2002). Retrieved on August 23, 2006.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran (December 20, 2002). Movie Review: Saathiya. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on August 27, 2007.
- ^ Box Office 2002. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on August 23, 2006.
- ^ Box Office 2003. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Dubey, Bharati (August 5, 2002). Friends forever. Rediff.com. Retrieved on May 28, 2007.
- ^ Verma, Sukanya (August 1, 2003). Chori Chori is heartwarming. Rediff.com. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ Box Office 2004. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran (May 21, 2004). Movie Review: Yuva. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on May 28, 2007.
- ^ Box Office 2004. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran (November 12, 2004). Movie Review: Veer-Zaara. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on May 28, 2007.
- ^ a b Chakrabarti, Paromita (February 3, 2005). Rani’s given a magnificent performance in Black: Big B. Express India. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Siddiqui, Rana (February 3, 2005). A dash of sunshine. The Hindu. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran (February 4, 2005). Movie Review: Black. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.
- ^ Box Office 2005. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on August 23, 2007.
- ^ Kulkarni, Ronjita (February 7, 2005). 'Namesake is very uncannily my story!'. Rediff.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ a b Overseas Gross (Figures in Ind Rs). BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Box Office 2006. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved on February 20, 2007.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran (April 27, 2007). Movie Review: Ta Ra Rum Pum. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on September 30, 2007.
- ^ Indiantelevision.com Team (August 11, 2003). Rani Mukerji's 1st TV production 'Pratima' set to roll. Indiantelevision.com. Retrieved on April 18, 2007.
- ^ First-time fumblings. Rediff.com (November 14, 2007). Retrieved on December 23, 2007.
- ^ a b Actress of the Week - Rani Mukherjee. AskMen.com. Retrieved on December 23, 2007.
- ^ TNN (December 25, 2007). Priyanka is happy!. Times of India. Retrieved on December 25, 2007.
- ^ a b IndiaFM News Bureau (November 11, 2006). "If Babul does well, I will give credit to my parents" - Rani. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on December 23, 2007.
- ^ a b Mukherjee, Ram Kamal (November 16, 2006). Rani renders public apology. Indiatimes. Retrieved on December 23, 2007.
- ^ Rani Mukerji's day out with jawans. Rediff.com (March 4, 2004). Retrieved on April 6, 2006.
- ^ Bollywood unites to present caring face. The Telegraph (February 8, 2005). Retrieved on February 8, 2006.
- ^ Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (September 3, 2005). Shah Rukh, Rani Mukerjee coming to Capital. The Hindu. Retrieved on December 23, 2007.
- ^ Rani and Preity give away donations. Hindustan Times. Retrieved on August 28, 2007.
- ^ Magnificent Five. Elite Entertainment (bollywoodconcerts.com). Retrieved on April 14, 2007.
- ^ Shahrukh may attend cinema festival. Bahrain Tribune (December 20, 2004). Retrieved on December 22, 2007.
- ^ Jha, Subhash K (April 22, 2005). Rani: I'd love to go to Pakistan!. Rediff.com. Retrieved on October 1, 2006.
- ^ Chatterjee, Mohua (TNN) (April 18, 2005). The Rani of all CBMs for Pervez. Times of India. Retrieved on April 14, 2007.
- ^ Bollywood's taste of Delhi 2010. melbourne2006.com (March 26, 2006). Retrieved on April 22, 2006.
- ^ Top 10 Actresses. Rani-Mukerji.com. Retrieved on July 19, 2006.
- ^ 8: Rani Mukerji. Rani-Mukerji.com. Retrieved on July 19, 2006.
- ^ TNN (February 3, 2005). SRK & Rani are Bollywoods most powerful. Indiatimes. Retrieved on December 25, 2007.
- ^ Iyer, Meena (TNN) (March 6, 2007). Rani Mukerji only woman in power list. Times of India. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
- ^ Sen, Raja (March 6, 2007). Bollywood's best actresses. Ever.. Rediff.com. Retrieved on March 13, 2007.
- ^ Asia's sexiest women. Rediff.com (December 22, 2007). Retrieved on October 13, 2006.
- ^ Kuckian, Uday (March 24, 2004). Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses. Rediff.com. Retrieved on October 13, 2006.
- ^ Verma, Sukanya (May 2, 2007). Bollywood's Best Dressed Women. Rediff.com. Retrieved on May 20, 2007.
- ^ Verma, Sukanya (March 8, 2007). Women of Many Faces. Rediff.com. Retrieved on September 12, 2007.
- ^ Rani Mukherjee at Amul Star Voice Of India. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on December 25, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Rani Mukerji at the Internet Movie Databasear:راني مكرجي
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