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Rani Mukerji on why she's only romancing the movies
And so to wed. If only for the screen. Rani MukerjI plays the quintessential bashful bride for yet another shaadi sequence for Ravi Chopra's Baabul. Looking like a trillion bucks in an outfit designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the gold embroidery is stunningly woven onto the gold ghagra. The heirloom jewellery perfectly complements Rani's gold and maroon outfit.
Shot over, she cautions the director's wife, Renu Chopra, to double check all the ornaments are safe. "I can't handle any more allegations about the Chopras," she grins tongue firmly in cheek. She's obviously referring to the media reports alleging she's responsible for Aditya Chopra's marriage going kaput. Once the tape-recorder is switched on, she turns into a skittish fawn caught in the glare of harsh headlights. I can tell, that she's learnt to field the media well. She understands that every star is fair game. No point in contesting that.
She's hurting but she won't talk. Why me? Seems to be the question her woeful brandy eyes want to ask.
Back in her fatigues, her face clear of make-up, she's ready for a Q & A before she repairs for zillion other meetings. The workouts and her well-controlled diet have done wonders for her. Tell her so and she winks, "I'm going to get sexier as I age."
As her staff packs up for the day, talk veers to the recent blasts in the Mumbai trains, a mode of travel they use every day. "It's the saddest and most traumatic thing to happen. It brought back memories of the 1993 riots when I was stuck at a friend's nani's house in Colaba for four days. When the recent blasts occurred on July 11, I was shooting with Amit (Bachchan) uncle for Baabul and the news made everyone's morale sink. Since we were canning an auditorium sequence, there were many junior artistes with us. All of them were in a state of panic and desperate to contact their families. I said a silent prayer and thanked God that we had a 2 to 10 shift that day and not the regular 9 to 6 shift that might have put my staff on those trains. So many innocent lives were lost. Every person on that train was probably the breadwinner of his family so one can imagine how many lives got shattered that day. Even now, families must be so traumatised at losing the one person who was their entire world. The blasts were completely uncalled for and the people responsible for them are ruthless." Her eyes well up as she talks about the macabre events.
The grey clouds loom large. Attempting to foist a silver lining on the proceedings, I remind her that she's a strong contender for the National Awards for her role in Black. Early this year, she bagged every award including the Filmfare trophy for Black. Miraculously, her mood lifts up and she's ready to roll. And I ask:
You've picked up practically every trophy going last year. What do awards mean to you?
Awards are an acknowledgement of the work you've done. Though there are popular awards and there are Critics' awards, at the end of the day I think it's a combination of both. The award is given to an actor not only because the film is popular but also because the audience as well as the discerning critics have appreciated your performance.
We're in a competitive world and kids are vying with one another academically. And it continues when they enter professional life too. You have awards in every field today, even the corporate world. Everyone's getting into the act and outstanding work in every sector is rewarded at the end of the year.
Who do you look on the burgeoning competition today?
This may sound like a clich but I look on myself as my competition. I really think that in films you can only compete with yourself. If you're appreciated in one film, then the audience is like, 'Let's see what more she can do'. So in your next release you have to better your earlier performance. You can't have the audience say, 'Arre, she was better in that film.' Every actor is bettering himself and competing with his or her previous work.
Does doing an intense role affect you personally? Do you find yourself behaving like the character even after you've wiped off the make-up?
No way. Not at all. I can instantly switch on and switch off. Isn't that what an actor is all about? Emoting is only in front of the camera. Once the director says, 'Cut', I switch off completely. An actor has to emote under stringent conditions and after a point it gets mechanical. Like dancing in a chiffon sari in freezing cold and still being able to look lovingly into the hero's eyes and singing a romantic ditty.
Acting can't be carried back home with you. Once you've packed up, you automatically become yourself. For me, it's very easy. What you do carry back with you is the experience. If on that day you've done a scene that has emotionally charged you, made you happy and content or if you've given a brilliant shot, that feeling goes home with you.
What more surprises for us this year?
Well, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK), was my first release after over a year. Then there'll be Baabul. Both films were shot simultaneously and will be my only releases this year. Now there's also Siddharth Anand's film, Tara Rum Pum, which has a schedule in New York. It's like I'm coming full circle. Last October to December I was there for KANK and from August to October I'm in New York again for Tara... I'm quite excited about this film too because that's the last of the films I have on hand right now. It'll probably release early next year.
Talking of New York, reports insist Preity Zinta and you didn't get along too well there.
I'm getting a little tired of this rumour. Preity and I barely interacted with each other in New York. We had three scenes together so how could we have had problems. As always, I kept to myself after pack-up and if at all, Mom and I ventured out, we'd park ourselves in Hiroo (Johar) aunty's room and jabber away.
The two of you seem to have exchanged directors, Preity who did Salaam Namaste with Siddharth is now in Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and while you did Saathiya and Bunty Aur Babli with Shaad, and are now doing Tara Rum Pum with Siddharth.
So nice no? Isn't it great that everyone is working with everyone?
You've tried your hand at socials, romance and comedy. Which genre are you most comfortable with?
I've enjoyed playing all the roles. I think I've come to a stage when I listen to a script, I listen to my role and if I think I'm going to enjoy doing the film, I take it on. So whether it's drama, romance or high voltage emotions, I've enjoyed doing it all. For example, I enjoyed doing Black in which I had an intense role and Bunty Aur Babli that was an out and out comedy. I was given such funny lines I had a tough time maintaining a straight face while saying them. Even Veer Zaara had such dramatic Urdu dialogue, far removed from the lines I'm normally given for a Hindi film.
Since you like to experiment, would you ever try out an action film or a character that was totally dark?
Yes, I would. But I'm not sure whether any film-maker will offer me such roles. I haven't so far. I've proved my versatility. But like I've always maintained, the actor never has a choice; it's the director who chooses which actor he wants to play a particular role. I wouldn't have been able to play the characters I have so far if my directors hadn't offered me those roles. Because Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) offered me Michelle I could do Black. It wasn't as if I got up one fine morning and decided that I'd play a deaf-mute and blind girl in my next film.
Would you go out of your way to produce a film that gave you a radically different role?
I haven't thought on those lines so far. (Laughs) I'm not as far-sighted as Filmfare.
So do you find acting therapeutic?
I wouldn't go so far. But yes, acting is my life. And though it's my work, I'm enjoying it. I consider myself fortunate that I'm in a profession where I enjoy what I'm doing.
Is there any recent film you've seen that made you go, 'I wish I'd done that'?
Nothing comes to mind immediately.
If you could have starred in any film ever, which would it have been?
I would have loved to do the kind of roles Nutanji played in Sujata, the ones Sadhanaji used to do. She was so beautiful and so natural on screen. She was so cute in Love In Simla. And all the roles played by Jaya (Bachchan) aunty.
Who are your idols in the film industry?
Amit uncle definitely. His perseverance, dedication and love for his craft is incomparable. He's an institution by himself. I consider myself fortunate that I've had the opportunity to work with him. You learn so much by just standing in the same frame and observing him. He's the only truly great actor we'll ever have.
Is there any director you're dying to work with or would have liked to work with?
I love Bimal Roy's films and would have loved to work with him, Guru Dutt, Mehboob Khan, V Shantaram and Raj Kapoor.
Can you name someone who's still alive?
Ha, ha, ha. Next question please.
What's the best piece of acting advice you've received?
It came from Roshan Taneja when I first met him with my father at the beginning of my career. He told me, "Rani, acting is not a pill that you can swallow, stand in front of the camera and you're on. It's something that comes from within." His words have remained with me ever since. I don't think acting can be taught. You have to have it in you and you have to constantly keep working on it to hone your talent.
What advice would you give newcomers?
Just follow your instincts and put your heart in whatever you do. That's all that matters.
Who has been your craziest fan?
My family. They love me too much and they're my worst critics too. You know, every time a movie of mine is running on any channel, my mother will be glued to it. Even though we have all the DVDs at home and she can watch them whenever she wants.
How did you feel when you first saw Myiesha, your niece?
Oof! Words fail me. She's so amazing. She's the first newborn I've ever held. I felt more confident of handling her because she's family.
Did you even for a second wish she was your own?
No. Because I've seen my bhabhi going through the entire nine months and it was pretty tough. Hats off to all mothers. Giving birth to a baby I think is the most beautiful thing a woman can do. Mishti, as we call her, is the greatest gift my bhabhi has given our family. Both Raja and Jyoti are so wonderful with her. I'm sure all parents are but since she's the first baby in our family after me, I'm wonderstruck by everything. Having a baby is a full time job. I'm sure eventually I'd love to have babies too.
What do you do for fun?
Right now all I want to do is go back home to Mishti. I enjoy playing with her. We have to stick to her timings. Can't disturb her when she's sleeping you know.
What do you do to boost your spirits?
I entertain myself and the people around me. I laugh and make them laugh too.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I've still to achieve it. For me it would be things I could do for my parents. Make them proud of me. The happiness they feel when my work is appreciated and a film of mine does well is a great high. To see genuine pride and a smile on my parents' face is my greatest achievement.
Your idea of perfect happiness?
At this point, the six of us together and playing with Myeisha is bliss for me. She's a live doll that's come into our lives. Even changing her nappies is too much fun. It's just so cute.
Anything you dislike about your appearance? Anything you'd like to change?
No.
You're perfect the way you are?
I'm content the way I am. When you're happy you don't necessarily mean that you're perfect. There may be certain characteristics in you that people may not like and may want you to change. But to be happy, you have to be happy from within. You're not happy because you're perfect, because no one in the world is perfect.
Where would you like to live?
MUMBAI. I can't see myself living anywhere else. I may go away for a few months but after that I need my Mumbai fix. I need to get back to my family and my home.
How do you keep fit?
Working out every day, honey. I slog for an hour every day under the strict supervision of my personal trainer. It was tough initially but now that I'm doing it everyday, I'm enjoying it. Don't ask which exercises I do because I can't differentiate between the heavy-duty cardio ones and aerobics. I just follow my trainer's instructions and I'm completely dead at the end of the hour.
Do you follow a diet plan too?
I've reached a point where when something is put on my plate I mentally calculate how many minutes of extra workout I'll have to do to get it all off. Basically, I eat healthy but one day a week I tell my trainer I'm going to eat everything or I'll just collapse. From ice creams to chips and chaat, I go crazy and eat like a glutton.
Any last words?
Be happy. Khush raho na yaar.
https://www.filmfare.com/articleshow/msid-1988321,curpg-1.cms
And so to wed. If only for the screen. Rani MukerjI plays the quintessential bashful bride for yet another shaadi sequence for Ravi Chopra's Baabul. Looking like a trillion bucks in an outfit designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the gold embroidery is stunningly woven onto the gold ghagra. The heirloom jewellery perfectly complements Rani's gold and maroon outfit.
Shot over, she cautions the director's wife, Renu Chopra, to double check all the ornaments are safe. "I can't handle any more allegations about the Chopras," she grins tongue firmly in cheek. She's obviously referring to the media reports alleging she's responsible for Aditya Chopra's marriage going kaput. Once the tape-recorder is switched on, she turns into a skittish fawn caught in the glare of harsh headlights. I can tell, that she's learnt to field the media well. She understands that every star is fair game. No point in contesting that.
She's hurting but she won't talk. Why me? Seems to be the question her woeful brandy eyes want to ask.
Back in her fatigues, her face clear of make-up, she's ready for a Q & A before she repairs for zillion other meetings. The workouts and her well-controlled diet have done wonders for her. Tell her so and she winks, "I'm going to get sexier as I age."
As her staff packs up for the day, talk veers to the recent blasts in the Mumbai trains, a mode of travel they use every day. "It's the saddest and most traumatic thing to happen. It brought back memories of the 1993 riots when I was stuck at a friend's nani's house in Colaba for four days. When the recent blasts occurred on July 11, I was shooting with Amit (Bachchan) uncle for Baabul and the news made everyone's morale sink. Since we were canning an auditorium sequence, there were many junior artistes with us. All of them were in a state of panic and desperate to contact their families. I said a silent prayer and thanked God that we had a 2 to 10 shift that day and not the regular 9 to 6 shift that might have put my staff on those trains. So many innocent lives were lost. Every person on that train was probably the breadwinner of his family so one can imagine how many lives got shattered that day. Even now, families must be so traumatised at losing the one person who was their entire world. The blasts were completely uncalled for and the people responsible for them are ruthless." Her eyes well up as she talks about the macabre events.
The grey clouds loom large. Attempting to foist a silver lining on the proceedings, I remind her that she's a strong contender for the National Awards for her role in Black. Early this year, she bagged every award including the Filmfare trophy for Black. Miraculously, her mood lifts up and she's ready to roll. And I ask:
You've picked up practically every trophy going last year. What do awards mean to you?
Awards are an acknowledgement of the work you've done. Though there are popular awards and there are Critics' awards, at the end of the day I think it's a combination of both. The award is given to an actor not only because the film is popular but also because the audience as well as the discerning critics have appreciated your performance.
We're in a competitive world and kids are vying with one another academically. And it continues when they enter professional life too. You have awards in every field today, even the corporate world. Everyone's getting into the act and outstanding work in every sector is rewarded at the end of the year.
Who do you look on the burgeoning competition today?
This may sound like a clich but I look on myself as my competition. I really think that in films you can only compete with yourself. If you're appreciated in one film, then the audience is like, 'Let's see what more she can do'. So in your next release you have to better your earlier performance. You can't have the audience say, 'Arre, she was better in that film.' Every actor is bettering himself and competing with his or her previous work.
Does doing an intense role affect you personally? Do you find yourself behaving like the character even after you've wiped off the make-up?
No way. Not at all. I can instantly switch on and switch off. Isn't that what an actor is all about? Emoting is only in front of the camera. Once the director says, 'Cut', I switch off completely. An actor has to emote under stringent conditions and after a point it gets mechanical. Like dancing in a chiffon sari in freezing cold and still being able to look lovingly into the hero's eyes and singing a romantic ditty.
Acting can't be carried back home with you. Once you've packed up, you automatically become yourself. For me, it's very easy. What you do carry back with you is the experience. If on that day you've done a scene that has emotionally charged you, made you happy and content or if you've given a brilliant shot, that feeling goes home with you.
What more surprises for us this year?
Well, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK), was my first release after over a year. Then there'll be Baabul. Both films were shot simultaneously and will be my only releases this year. Now there's also Siddharth Anand's film, Tara Rum Pum, which has a schedule in New York. It's like I'm coming full circle. Last October to December I was there for KANK and from August to October I'm in New York again for Tara... I'm quite excited about this film too because that's the last of the films I have on hand right now. It'll probably release early next year.
Talking of New York, reports insist Preity Zinta and you didn't get along too well there.
I'm getting a little tired of this rumour. Preity and I barely interacted with each other in New York. We had three scenes together so how could we have had problems. As always, I kept to myself after pack-up and if at all, Mom and I ventured out, we'd park ourselves in Hiroo (Johar) aunty's room and jabber away.
The two of you seem to have exchanged directors, Preity who did Salaam Namaste with Siddharth is now in Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and while you did Saathiya and Bunty Aur Babli with Shaad, and are now doing Tara Rum Pum with Siddharth.
So nice no? Isn't it great that everyone is working with everyone?
You've tried your hand at socials, romance and comedy. Which genre are you most comfortable with?
I've enjoyed playing all the roles. I think I've come to a stage when I listen to a script, I listen to my role and if I think I'm going to enjoy doing the film, I take it on. So whether it's drama, romance or high voltage emotions, I've enjoyed doing it all. For example, I enjoyed doing Black in which I had an intense role and Bunty Aur Babli that was an out and out comedy. I was given such funny lines I had a tough time maintaining a straight face while saying them. Even Veer Zaara had such dramatic Urdu dialogue, far removed from the lines I'm normally given for a Hindi film.
Since you like to experiment, would you ever try out an action film or a character that was totally dark?
Yes, I would. But I'm not sure whether any film-maker will offer me such roles. I haven't so far. I've proved my versatility. But like I've always maintained, the actor never has a choice; it's the director who chooses which actor he wants to play a particular role. I wouldn't have been able to play the characters I have so far if my directors hadn't offered me those roles. Because Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) offered me Michelle I could do Black. It wasn't as if I got up one fine morning and decided that I'd play a deaf-mute and blind girl in my next film.
Would you go out of your way to produce a film that gave you a radically different role?
I haven't thought on those lines so far. (Laughs) I'm not as far-sighted as Filmfare.
So do you find acting therapeutic?
I wouldn't go so far. But yes, acting is my life. And though it's my work, I'm enjoying it. I consider myself fortunate that I'm in a profession where I enjoy what I'm doing.
Is there any recent film you've seen that made you go, 'I wish I'd done that'?
Nothing comes to mind immediately.
If you could have starred in any film ever, which would it have been?
I would have loved to do the kind of roles Nutanji played in Sujata, the ones Sadhanaji used to do. She was so beautiful and so natural on screen. She was so cute in Love In Simla. And all the roles played by Jaya (Bachchan) aunty.
Who are your idols in the film industry?
Amit uncle definitely. His perseverance, dedication and love for his craft is incomparable. He's an institution by himself. I consider myself fortunate that I've had the opportunity to work with him. You learn so much by just standing in the same frame and observing him. He's the only truly great actor we'll ever have.
Is there any director you're dying to work with or would have liked to work with?
I love Bimal Roy's films and would have loved to work with him, Guru Dutt, Mehboob Khan, V Shantaram and Raj Kapoor.
Can you name someone who's still alive?
Ha, ha, ha. Next question please.
What's the best piece of acting advice you've received?
It came from Roshan Taneja when I first met him with my father at the beginning of my career. He told me, "Rani, acting is not a pill that you can swallow, stand in front of the camera and you're on. It's something that comes from within." His words have remained with me ever since. I don't think acting can be taught. You have to have it in you and you have to constantly keep working on it to hone your talent.
What advice would you give newcomers?
Just follow your instincts and put your heart in whatever you do. That's all that matters.
Who has been your craziest fan?
My family. They love me too much and they're my worst critics too. You know, every time a movie of mine is running on any channel, my mother will be glued to it. Even though we have all the DVDs at home and she can watch them whenever she wants.
How did you feel when you first saw Myiesha, your niece?
Oof! Words fail me. She's so amazing. She's the first newborn I've ever held. I felt more confident of handling her because she's family.
Did you even for a second wish she was your own?
No. Because I've seen my bhabhi going through the entire nine months and it was pretty tough. Hats off to all mothers. Giving birth to a baby I think is the most beautiful thing a woman can do. Mishti, as we call her, is the greatest gift my bhabhi has given our family. Both Raja and Jyoti are so wonderful with her. I'm sure all parents are but since she's the first baby in our family after me, I'm wonderstruck by everything. Having a baby is a full time job. I'm sure eventually I'd love to have babies too.
What do you do for fun?
Right now all I want to do is go back home to Mishti. I enjoy playing with her. We have to stick to her timings. Can't disturb her when she's sleeping you know.
What do you do to boost your spirits?
I entertain myself and the people around me. I laugh and make them laugh too.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I've still to achieve it. For me it would be things I could do for my parents. Make them proud of me. The happiness they feel when my work is appreciated and a film of mine does well is a great high. To see genuine pride and a smile on my parents' face is my greatest achievement.
Your idea of perfect happiness?
At this point, the six of us together and playing with Myeisha is bliss for me. She's a live doll that's come into our lives. Even changing her nappies is too much fun. It's just so cute.
Anything you dislike about your appearance? Anything you'd like to change?
No.
You're perfect the way you are?
I'm content the way I am. When you're happy you don't necessarily mean that you're perfect. There may be certain characteristics in you that people may not like and may want you to change. But to be happy, you have to be happy from within. You're not happy because you're perfect, because no one in the world is perfect.
Where would you like to live?
MUMBAI. I can't see myself living anywhere else. I may go away for a few months but after that I need my Mumbai fix. I need to get back to my family and my home.
How do you keep fit?
Working out every day, honey. I slog for an hour every day under the strict supervision of my personal trainer. It was tough initially but now that I'm doing it everyday, I'm enjoying it. Don't ask which exercises I do because I can't differentiate between the heavy-duty cardio ones and aerobics. I just follow my trainer's instructions and I'm completely dead at the end of the hour.
Do you follow a diet plan too?
I've reached a point where when something is put on my plate I mentally calculate how many minutes of extra workout I'll have to do to get it all off. Basically, I eat healthy but one day a week I tell my trainer I'm going to eat everything or I'll just collapse. From ice creams to chips and chaat, I go crazy and eat like a glutton.
Any last words?
Be happy. Khush raho na yaar.
https://www.filmfare.com/articleshow/msid-1988321,curpg-1.cms
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