Rani Mukerji
Rani Mukerji | |
|---|---|
| File:Ranimukherjee.jpg Rani Mukerji in Hum Tum (2004). |
Rani Mukerji (Bengali: রাণী মুখার্জী, formerly Rani Mukherjee, born March 21, 1978 in Bengal, India) is currently one of the most popular Bollywood actresses. Her name means Queen in Hindi.
Family background
Main article: Mukherjee-Samarth Family
She comes from a film-clan family of Bengali origin: Her father, Ram Mukherjee is a retired director. Her mother Krishna used to be a playback singer, while her brother Raja Mukherjee is a film producer. Her maternal aunt is Debashree Roy. The popular Bollywood actress, Kajol, is her second cousin.
Career
She began her film career with the Bengali film Biyer Phool. Her first Hindi film was Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1996), which did not do well at the box office. However, her next two releases - Ghulam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) - were hits.[1] For the latter she received her first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category.[2]
Mukerji gained instant stardom after these successes, and was signed up for a great many movies immediately afterwards. Unfortunately, most of them did average business at the box office. It was only after the release of Saathiya in 2002, directed by Shaad Ali, that she re-established her fame. The film was critically and commercially successful[3].
In 2004, her performances in Yuva and the commercially successful Hum Tum earned her more awards - the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for the former, and the Filmfare Best Actress Award for the latter, the next year.[4] Her performance as an activist lawyer in Veer-Zaara was also praised, and earned her yet another Filmfare nomination.[5]
In 2005, she starred in four big banner films.[6] Bunty Aur Babli and The Rising were among the biggest grossers of the year.[7] Her performances in every single film, particularly in Black, were generally appreciated. [8] These incessant successes established Mukerji as one of the industry's most bankable stars.[9]
Mukerji has been an active stage performer and participated in numerous world tours. Temptations 2004 was her most successful concert, in which she performed alongside Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra.[10] She also 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.[11]
In 2006, Mukerji has had a big hit so far: she starred in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. The movie was successful at the box office and had the highest opening for an Indian movie so far.[12]
Personal life
Mukerji has been romantically linked with actors such as Govinda [13], Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and even her best friend, Karan Johar.[14]. The media insisted they were both married. Most recently, director Aditya Chopra divorced his wife and Rani was thought to be the reason behind the case.[15] All parties have, however, strongly denied these rumours.
The actress was invited by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to dinner in honour of General Pervez Musharraf in New Delhi's Ashoka Hotel on April 16, 2005. Rani Mukerji was the guest of honour at the state dinner. She happens to be Musharrafs' and his wife's favourite actress, especially after Veer-Zaara. President Musharraf said to her: "She's very popular there."[16]
Besides acting in films, Mukerji contributes to charitable causes: The Temptations 2005 show in New Delhi helped to raise funds for the National Centre For Promotional of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a leading disabled rights' group. Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were also amongst the many who contributed to this cause.[17]
In 2006, Mukerji celebrated her birthday with the students of The Helen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Blind, whom she had befriended while doing research for her role as a blind and deaf girl in Black. She has also given credit for her award-winning performance in that movie to the students.[18]
Controversy
In June 2005, Mukerji sparked controversy among the Jewish community following the publication of interview with British newspaper Desi Xpress. In the article, Mukerji was asked to name her idol and replied "Adolf Hitler".[19] Her choice was widely criticized but the actress later confirmed it was only said in the spirit of joke.[citation needed]
Mukerji's popularity as an actress has often been compared with her contemporary, Preity Zinta. The two actresses have also appeared together in a number of movies. As a result, they are often compared to each other, and there has been a great deal of speculation about their personal relationship. Both actresses have always maintained that they share a healthy professional relationship, and have expressed mutual respect.[20] However, on the show Koffee with Karan, even after when Preity had lavished Rani with the best praise possible: "Rani is the best actress of our generation". Rani commented later on in the show about Zinta: "She has an opinion about everything. She should definitely learn to speak a little less." [21] In a lot of interviews, they both claim they were never friends.
Awards
Popular
- 1999, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
- 1999, Zee Cine Awards, Lux Face of the Year, Ghulam & Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
- 1999, Zee Cine Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Female for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
- 2003, Star Screen Awards Special Jury Award, Saathiya
- 2003, Filmfare, Critics Award Best Performance, Saathiya
- 2003, Sansui Awards Best Performance of the Year, Saathiya
- 2003, Bollywood Awards Most Sensational Actress, Saathiya
- 2003, Rajiv Gandhi Award
- 2004, BBC Film Cafe Best Actress, Chalte Chalte
- 2005, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Hum Tum
- 2005, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award, Yuva
- 2005, Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female, Hum Tum
- 2005, 1st GIFA Awards Best Actress, Hum Tum
- 2005, Star Screen Award Best Actress, Hum Tum
- 2005, Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress, Yuva
- 2005, Cinegoers Awards Best Actress, Hum Tum
- 2005, Cinegoers Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Veer-Zaara
- 2005, IIFA Best Actress Award for Hum Tum
- 2005, IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award for Veer-Zaara
- 2005, Bollywood Awards Best Actress, Hum Tum
- 2005, Bollywood Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Yuva
- 2006, Rediff Movie Awards Best Actress, Black
- 2006, Star Screen Award Best Actress, Black
- 2006, Stardust Star of the Year Award - Female, Black
- 2006, Filmfare Best Actress Award, Black
- 2006, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Black
- 2006, Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female, Black
- 2006, BBC Film Cafe Best Actress, Black
- 2006, IIFA Best Actress Award for Black
She is the first actor to ever win both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress trophies in a single year (2005) at the Filmfare and the only actress to win the maximum number of Filmfare Awards (6).
Other
- 2001, Aashirwaad Awards Best Actress, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
- 2003, Anandolok Puroshkar Awards Best Actress, Saathiya
- 2005, Sports World Awards Best Actress, Hum Tum
- 2005, Sports World Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Veer-Zaara
- 2005, Sports World Jodi of the Year (Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji) for Hum Tum
- 2005, Bollywood Fashion Awards Celebrity Style Female Award
- 2005, The Lycra® MTV Style Awards Most Stylish in Films
- 2005, Anandolok Puroshkar Awards Best Actress, Hum Tum
- 2005, Lion Awards Achievement in Cinema
- 2006, 2nd Edition Pogo Voice Awards Most Amazing Actress, Bunty Aur Babli
- 2006, Star Screen Award Jodi No. 1 (Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji) for Bunty Aur Babli
- 2006, 2nd Apsara Awards Best Actress, Black
- 2006, Star's Sabsey Favourite Heroine, Black
- 2006, Idea Zee F Awards Celebrity Model of the Year
Trivia
- Mukerji was honored by a largely foreign audience of 50,000 at the Casablanca Film Festival (2005) in Morocco where four of her movies were presented.[22]
- For her one-and-a-half-minute dance performance alongside Saif Ali Khan at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, she was reportedly paid 1.5 crore rupees, the equivalent of about 300,000 U.S. dollars.
- The actress 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. Recently, she has stated that numerology was not a concern; her name had been put down as Mukerji on her passport, and she wanted to be consistent.[23]
- In February 2006, Filmfare Magazine placed her at eighth position among the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood", an achievement she repeated from the previous year. She was the only female on the male-dominated list.[24]
- She was invited to the Toronto International Film Festival to promote her movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Due to her schedule shooting of Tara Rum Pum in New York City, she opt not to go.[25]
- She charged 4 crore rupees for Baabul, making her the highest paid actress in India.[26][27]
- In 2006, the actress bought a new house for herself in Juhu, the interior design for which, was done by Twinkle Khanna.
- She is the brand ambassador of Fanta in India. [28]
- She was listed #36 by UK magazine, Eastern Eye as one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006 Issue).
Filmography
Films
Television appearances
- The Manish Malhotra Show - 2005–2006 (appeared 2005)
- Koffee with Karan - 2004–2005 (appeared February 9, 2005, in Episode #1.2 only)[30]
- Jai Jawan (appeared March 5, 2004, in Rani Mukerji's day out with jawans only)[31]
- Tinseltown TV (interviewed 28 February, 2004)[32]
- Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai - 2001–2003 (appeared 2001)
- Kaun Banega Crorepati - 2000–2001 (appeared December 31, 2000, New Year Special)[33]
See also
References
Footnotes
- ^ "members.aol.com". Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Ghulam: Super Hits!. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "members.tripod.com". Rani wins her first!. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "us.imdb.com". Saathiya, Winner Everywhere. Retrieved 23 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "thedailystar.net". Rani reigns & Shahrukh rules. Retrieved 19 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "yashrajfilms.com". Veer-Zaara box office report. Retrieved 19 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "musicindiaonline.com". Actresses at the top of 2005. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "boxofficeindia.com". Box Office Status for B&B and The Rising. Retrieved 30 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "bollywood.com". Black steals the show. Retrieved 19 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "thedailystar.net". The year of the queen -- Rani reigns. Retrieved 1 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "nriinternet.com". Temptations 2004: The biggest so far. Retrieved 24 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "melbourne2006.com". Bollywood's taste of Delhi 2010. Retrieved 22 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "apunkachoice.com". Biggest Opening. Retrieved 10 September.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "in.news.yahoo.com". Govinda moves in with Rani. Retrieved 18 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "in.movies.yahoo.com". Rani: Not Dating!. Retrieved 1 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "dnaindia.com". We don't know what is going on in Aditya's house. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "rediff.com". Rani: I'd love to go to Pakistan!. Retrieved 1 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "nowrunning.com". Raising Funds for Disabled Rights Group. Retrieved 1 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "dnaindia.com". Birthday Celebration at the Helen Keller Institute. Retrieved 31 May.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "totallyjewish.com". Bollywood Star idolises Hitler. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "nowrunning.com". There are no differences with Preity: Rani. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "catchustv.blogspot.com". Rani-Preity Rivalry. Retrieved 1 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "ibosnetwork.com". Honoured at the Casablanca Film Festival. Retrieved 16 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "musicindiaonline.com". Interview: Rani Mukerji (surname changed). Retrieved 22 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "rani-mukerji.com". Top Ten of Bollywood. Retrieved 19 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "in.rediff.com". Rani to dazzle Toronto Film Festival. Retrieved 23 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "apunkachoice.com". Rani Mukerji – The Numero Uno in Bollywood. Retrieved 1 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "imdb.com". Highest Paid Now. Retrieved 22 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "indiantelevision.com". Fanta's new TVC with Rani. Retrieved 22 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "ziff.co.zw". Paheli: Zimbabwe International Film Festival. Retrieved 30 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "uk.startv.com". Rani Mukerji & Kareena Kapoor on Koffee With Karan. Retrieved 4 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "specials.rediff.com". Jai Jawan Marathon. Retrieved 6 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "imdb.com". Rani Mukerji in Tinseltown. Retrieved 6 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "kbc2.indya.com". Rani Mukerji & Shahrukh Khan on KBC. Retrieved 10 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
Press coverage
- Verma, Supar. "Aati Kya Khandala?", "Rediff" interview. July 15, 1998. Retrieved March 01, 2006.
- Das, Madhuparna. "Makeover Girl", "The Telegraph - Calcutta". June 03, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2006.
- Somaaya, Bhawana. "Everyone wants Rani Mukerji", "IndiaFM" interview. June 24, 2005. Retrieved September 30, 2006.
External links
- Rani Mukerji at IMDb