Ram Kamal Mukherjee

I know that Rani Mukerji is a very big name today and she will be celebrating her birthday with the crème-de-la-crème of Bollywood. But I would like to share something with you guys.

Circa 1999. I was invited for the wedding anniversary of actors Debasree Roy and Prasenjit Chatterjee. It was at Hotel Hindustan International. Debasree and Prosenjit wanted to launch their home production on that day. Everyone was getting ready for the mahurat shot. Prosenjit was supposed to direct it when he suddenly realized that the lady who was supposed to play the role of Goddess Kali didn't turn up. They started looking for someone and meanwhile they spotted a young bubbly girl in the crowd. She was Debasree's elder sister Krishna's daughter. They literally dragged her to the make up room and got her dressed like a goddess (just like Sharmila from Satyajit Ray's Devi) and she was ready for the shot. I could hear that she was reluctant in doing the scene because she was not prepared at all. But Debarsee whispered in her ears, "You don't have any dialogues. You will just have to come out from the temple (a temple set was erected) and stand with folded hands." She nodded nervously.

Prosenjit screamed, light, sound, camera and action, the young lady with a red garland around her neck made a celestial appearance. She smiled and camera went click click click. She was Rani Mukerji, daughter of Ram and Krishna Mukerji.

I met her after the mahurat shot and asked her how she felt. "Baap re baap… without any dialogue I was sweating in tension. This is too much of an effort," said Rani. Immediately she asked, "You had dinner? Let's go na… I have heard they have nice kobiraji cutlet." I understood that she wanted to change the topic.

A few years later, I suddenly notice a huge billboard saying, "Introducing Rani Mukerji" She made her debut opposite her uncle Prosenjit in Biyer Phool (Wedding Flowers). It was a blockbuster and thereafter she didn't do a single Bengali film. Rani shifted her base to Mumbai and then Ram Mukherjee produced Mehendi for her. Rest… as they say it was sheer luck and Rani became the queen of a million hearts.

The latest I read about Rani Mukherji is that she has moved to her Juhu bungalow. Last year was disastrous for her because most of her films bombed at the box-office. She was pushed from being number one to number three. Aishwarya Rai with Rs 4 crore deal and Kareena Kapoor with Rs 3.5 crore deal rule the roost. Though Rani has got the best banners and best actors to work with her, she is still not in a position to command such remuneration.

The constant gossip (well this time I didn't write or indulge any of it) with Aditya Chopra has also worked negatively for Rani. Detractors feel that she is doing only Yashraj films because Aditya is in love with her. The actress has not signed a single movie apart from Yashraj films and it seems that she is happy with her decision. Distributors are also worried because she might get married to Aditya (after the Aditya-Payal divorce was officially declared) and that might prove to be a disaster. I know for a fact that Rani is very committed and she is one of the most obedient daughters and sisters I have seen in my career. Though people bad mouth about her and comment rudely about this Bong beauty, when it comes to performance Rani can give all these 'so-called' actors run for their money.

But if you ask me, I think Rani is one of the most talented actors in this industry, even with trashy scripts like Laga Chunari Mein Daag and Saawariya, her performance stood out. She played her most challenging role in Black and gave back to back hits. After Madhuri Dixit, it's Rani who ruled the roost for more than five years. But now, it seems that the actress wants a break, she needs to spend time with her family and think about her own family.

Rani has come a long way… and don't we all rest after a tiresome journey? She will be back… at least I would love to believe that she will.