Why is playing Maharashtrian special for Rani?

A Bengali brought up in Mumbai, Rani Mukherjee says essaying a Maharashtrian girl in "Aiyyaa" made it all the more special.

The role of a Maharashtrian girl named Meenakshi Deshpande in the movie was like a dream come true for her, says Rani.

"I have always said that I am actually a Maharashtrian girl because I have been born and brought up in Maharashtra. Being a Mumbaikar, Marathi language is not alien to me. It was my dream or wish that some day I should play a Marathi girl's role and with 'Aiyyaa', this dream has come true," the 34-year-old said at a promotional event here.

An Anurag Kashyap production, "Aiyyaa", releasing Oct 12, also stars southern actor Prithviraj.

In the movie, Rani has imitated screen divas Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi and Juhi Chawla and says being a fan of them all, helped her in emulating their dance moves.

Rani says she and director Sachin Kundalkar are equally big fans of the three actresses.

"He (Sachin) has been a huge fan of Juhi, Madhuri and Sri-ji, so when he discussed the idea with me, I told him that it's unbelievable that even I am similarly a fan of theirs. I have grown up loving them," Rani said at a promotional event for the film here.

"So it was a great fit, and I think because the fit was so good, selecting those songs that we loved of theirs and paying a tribute, came naturally," she added.