Over 50 movies and years of working in the
industry, your contribution reflects versatility
and volubility. Titled as ‘Queen of Bollywood’,
In your own perception- How did Rani Mukerji
emerge as one of the most powerful Indian
women?
I have always believed that as an artist or an actor
we are a product of the hard work all the technicians
do behind us, whether Director, writers, editors,
music directors or all the people who make us
look larger than life and pretty on screen. There
is so much of contribution of the entire technical
department in making a star look so good on screen
that our contribution will be as much as bringing a
directors vision on screen and giving blood and flesh
to a piece of paper.
Also I would say powerful woman is probably what
no actor decides or can predict to become. It is the
people, who actually watch your work, adore and
admire you. They put faith in your work.The faith is
that they keep coming again and again buying your
movie tickets. They are the ones who make you
powerful.
From a person who never dreamt of being an
actress to becoming one and living it since last 20
years, the journey has been tremendous for me and
my fans. Also I feel that once you make a relation
with your audience, it needs to keep going.
A diverse range of films such as Kuch Kuch
Hota Hai, Veer-Zaara, Black, Hey Ram,
Mardaani in which you have made an impact
with assured performances. How challenging
has your journey been from Raja Ki Ayegi
Baraat to date?
My journey was challenging but it was strange.
Like how a bride in an arranged marriage gradually
falls in love with her husband, I think that is what
happened to me. I gradually fell in love with my
work.
So whether it was RajakiAyegi Barat, where for me
the only solace was that my mother asked me to give
it a shot. I never had any pressure. I just treated
it as another day at school, where I have to do my
work diligently and the director should be happy
with my work. I treated my films merely as a jobfor
initial 3 years, the love came much later. It was
when I read those lakhs of fan letters that I used to
receive. Going through those letters made me realize
that this is quite a serious business and I can’t treat
it as a job. It has to be beyond that, and that’s when
I think I fell in love with my craft and once I fell in
love, there was no looking back. I changed according
to my characters so that my fans can see a versatile
me. So, whether Mardaani, or Black or Yuva, I
made it a point that I put in more than my hundred
percent.
What is your greatest achievement till date?
I think achievement would be just to be able to
choose at this point of my career.
As an actor you go through different stages in your
career. First when there is no choice, then the time
comes when it is how much more noticed and better
you want to be, striving to be the best, and then
there comes a point where you no more have to run
behind anything, whether fame or money or roles.
You can sit back and choose! There is no pressure
on you regarding anything.
Just that one film, I can be happy doing, or a role
that is going to make my fans proud and love me
even further.
In an Industry whelmed and dominated with
male actors, being a female actor impinged you
at any point of time?
Male actors have only affected me in a very positive
way right from the start of my career. I was fortunate
enough to start with Aamir, Shahrukh and Salman. I
saw three different superstars, their dedication and
hard work and this was something I imbibed from
them. I made it my conduct to actually understand
that even after years of being so successful, they are
yet so hardworking, conscious and I think that’s the
reason even after 25 years of work they are going
strong and there is nobody who can actually touch
them. These are the lessons you learn at the onset of
your career and then you realize everybody struggles
to get that one film right, because one Friday can
change a lot of things. I feel the hunger in an actor
should never die.
Journey of every film and character is different.
How difficult is it to get into that skin and then
revive and prepare for another. Which genre
are you most comfortable with?
We have such talented technicians and they
contribute so much to an actor. When they come
with a film, they come to you with a lot of research
and information about the character and how they
see you in it. I would say that they already do half of
your job, and then it is upon us to take that next half
Up Till October 15, 2015
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