Happy Birthday to the Gorgeous Queen of Hearts - Rani Mukerji! - Page 4

Happy Birthday Rani Mukerji: From starring in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to being blessed with Adira, her life in pictures

Effortless, versatile, enigmatic, enchantress - Let's just say adjectives are less for this Bollywood diva. Well, we are talking about Rani Mukerji. The actor made her mark with 1998 film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and it just seems like it was yesterday when we saw her as Tina.

As Rani turns a year older today, here's a look at her journey in pictures:

Childhood..

What do you get first in mind when you think of your childhood? May be your pictures when you were a toddler and it just makes you smile. On her birthday, we thought to put this picture for her. Rani Mukherjee was born on March 21, 1978 in Mumbai to Ram Mukerji and Krishna Mukerji. For those who don't about this fact, she is a trained Odissi dancer and began learning the dance form while in the tenth grade. Things for this Bollywood beauty changed when she got an offer from director Salim Khan for playing the lead female role in his directorial, Aa Gale Lag Jaa. Well, the things didn't materialize for Rani as her father did not give his nod. But, her mother stood by her side when she got a chance to play the female lead in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat. Soon after that she got an opportunity to work with Aamir Khan in Ghulam. And still, she was unable to make her mark...until!

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai... Kuck Kuch Hota Haii Rahul, Tum Nahi Samjhoge

Yes, until Kuch Kuch Hota Hai happened to her! She played the role of Tina in the film and it proved a breakthrough for Rani's career. The film won her Filmfare Best Supporting Actress trophy. Well, it was her destiny and hard work which was finally paying her back. Post the success of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mukerji was also seen playing lead roles in Mehndi and Hello Brother.

Struggle is important! Isn't it?

There came a face where Rani struggled to fame! With movies like Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, Nayak: The Real Hero and Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Rani was unable to prove her mettle and was not getting what she had wanted from her life. In 2002, Rani was seen with Vivek Oberoi in Saathiya and it got her widespread recognition. She finally got Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.

Stretch to succeed - Aasmon Ki Bulandiyan!

As you say sabar ka fal meetha hota hai (patience is a key to the success), Rani took everyone by storm with her role in the 2004 film Yuva. Then in pipeline for Rani was Hum Tum opposite Saif Ali Khan which got her the Best Actress award. Well, the success story doesn't stop here! In the same year, it was Veer Zara which made her win the Best Supporting Actress trophy at the IIFA Awards.

In 2005, Black opposite Amitabh Bachchan hit the screens. Rani did something which no one would have imagined. She played imperfection so perfectly on screen and critics were in awe of her portrayal of a blind and deaf girl. Her film with Abhishek Bachchan Bunty Aur Babli proved to be huge success at the box office.

Well, as there is a popular belief, after you achieve so much acclaim and success, there is a break and downfall.

Setback time!

From 2007 to 2010, Rani's luck and hard work didn't walk hand in hand. She was seen in movies like Ta Ra Rum Pum, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Saawariya, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic and Dil Bole Hadippa. But nothing worked in favour of Rani.

Here we rise again...

Well, Rani was back in form and stunned everyone with her role in the 2011 film, No One Killed Jessica. In one of the interviews, Rani said, "It was such a different role to portray. It wasn't a role that was typical of a Hindi film heroine. Meera was more like a hero. It was a character that actually took the story forward. [..] Meera made a lot of things happen. It wasn't something that I had ever done before. I actually had to play a man."

In 2014, we saw Rani as Shivani Shivaji Roy, a Maharashtrian policewoman who goes on to fight human trafficking in India. This was one another strong performance by Rani!

There comes a time when you get married!

Rani Mukerji got married her long-time boyfriend, Aditya Chopra on April 21, 2014. The ceremony was attended by close friends and family only. Well, there were rumours about Rani being the home-breaker. She dismissed all such reports by saying, "Contrary to all rumours, I started seeing him only when he was out of his divorce and was not my producer. I started seeing him at a point when I was not working with him as dating your producer was not my cup of tea." Ever since they started dating, the two have chosen to be private about their lives.

Adira Chopra... Beginning of a new saga!

Rani Mukerji and Aditya Chopra became proud parents to a baby girl Adira on December 9, 2015. They told the fans about this through an official statement which reads: "I would like to thank all my well wishers and fans. Today life has given us God's greatest gift with Adira. We thank fans our friends and well wishers for their unconditional support and blessings. With joy we begin this new chapter in our lives."

Bollywood mein Waapsi... Hichki

Rani Mukerji will be returning to the big screen with Hichki. Talking about the film, Rani said, "I was looking for a script that would challenge and excite me, and Hichki came my way. Each of us has a weakness that pulls us back. It could be a disability or any condition but if we just look at it as simply a hiccup, we can emerge as a winner. It won't come in the way of achieving our dreams. 'Hichki' is built on this positive premise and I decided to take it up."

Everything is so empty without a true friend!

Rani Mukerji found a true friend in Preity Zinta. The two have stood by each other in their ups and downs!

We wish you a Happy Birthday Rani!