FACE TO FACE
‘I am single, ready to mingle’
AJULI DASGUPTA
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In an exclusive conversation, actor Rani Mukherjee holds forth on life, films and her latest “Dil Bole Hadippa”.
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70mm dreams: Rani Mukherjee has great expectations from “Dil Bole Hadippa”.
Rani Mukerji seems to have quite a fan following. And well deserved too! Be it the coy girl in “Mujhse Dosti Karoge” or the more serious one in “Yuva” and “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna”, the deaf and blind girl in “
Black” or the girl-next-door in “Chalte Chalte”…
Rani has definitely proved her versatility as an actor. The collared kurta she wore in “Bunty Aur Bubli” became a fashion statement that season!
Hailing from a film-oriented family, the world of movies was a natural step for Rani. Her father Ram Mukherjee, a retired director, is one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios, while her mother Krishna was a playback singer.
Her brother Raja is a film producer, now turned director. Her maternal aunt is national award winning Bengali actor Debashree Roy while cousin, Kajol is as well known as Rani herself.
Her first role was a short cameo appearance in her father’s Bengali film “Biyer Phool” in 1992 but Rani made her Bollywood debut four years later, as the protagonist of “Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat” in 1996. Her performance as a rape victim in the film was well received, but the film failed at the box office. She returned to college to complete her education.
Rani returned to films in 1998 with Aamir Khan in “Ghulam”. The song “Aati Kya Khandala” made her extremely popular among youngsters, earning her the “Khandala Girl” nickname.
There was no stopping her after that, as one film followed another and Rani was accepted as an actor with substance.
There is a lot of expectation from her latest release “Dil Bole Hadippa” where she plays both a guy and a girl. “Dil Bole Hadippa” is a romantic comedy set in Punjab and is the story of a girl played by Rani, who disguises herself as a man to fulfil her dreams.
The versatile Rani now takes on the challenging role of a sardar who, though from a small village, dreams in 70mm in this musical romantic comedy based in Punjab.
Excerpts from an exclusive conversation during Rani’s promo for “Dil Bole Hadippa”…
You are the talk of the town for being the next “bikini babe”…
It’s not right being publicised this way; I do not wear a two-piece in the movie. I have just worn a bikini top with a salwar.
When you lose weight and tone your body, people want to dress you up in a different way and there is no harm in trying that. Hence the bikini top. In the film, I could not take liberties because the glam look would not go well with the character played by me.
Your expectations from the movie…
There is expectation attached to every movie as a lot of hard work goes into it. I
t was difficult to be a boy, to play cricket, I have prepared a lot for this role. I hope the audience don’t go back unsatisfied. ut I am pretty optimistic about the response.
What is the underlying message?
The present generation can go to any extent to fulfil their dreams.
Your best movie so far…
All my movies went with lot of effort and I really can’t differentiate them. Each movie was special for me in some way or the other.
Your dream role…
I have always wanted to play the role of a guy and I have done it in “Dil Bole Hadippa”.
Were movies your choice or a compulsion?
Sheer compulsion…my mom pushed me into movies. Today I am glad I listened to her.
If not an actor what would Rani have been?
Happily married with two kids… (giggles)
So will we soon hear wedding bells?
No way… it will happen when I meet the right person. At the moment my career is my priority. I am single… ready to mingle and really happy about that!
When not on the sets, what is Rani up to?
Dancing or playing with my niece.
Your beauty mantra…
Eating right and doing yoga.
The philosophy you follow…
Neki kar… dariya mein daal. I learnt this from my dad.
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