' My big secret is out! '
She enjoys dancing around trees as much as she loves playing roles that revolve around social causes. Actor Rani Mukherjee opens up on her work and life in an engaging conversation with Subhash K Jha
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CALLING YOU THE MAALKIN AT YASHRAJ FILMS.
Who has? Not on my face. And it's certainly not true. The Yashraj unit completely loves me. But who says I am the boss? I am the girl who has a daag on her chunri. From the time we started shooting in Varanasi, a lot of muck has been raked about me.
WHY HAVEN'T YOU SPOKEN UP?
I know people want to know about my life. But sorry, I can't keep issuing clarifications every day. I know other actors love issuing rebuttals. But if I do that, where will I find time to work?
SO, WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH ADITYA CHOPRA?
I'm not engaged to him. I am not married to him. I have absolutely no relationship with Aditya Chopra beyond that of an actor-producer. I've done lots of films with the Chopras and I'll continue doing so. Such baseless talk won't prevent me from working with one of my favourite banners. Yash uncle has always believed in my talent. He's someone who's extremely special.
HAS THIS SPECULATION SPOILT YOUR RAPPORT WITH THE CHOPRAS?
Not at all. When there's no truth to the gossip, why should our relationship get affected? It might be hurting spoilsports that I'm doing so many films with Yashraj. Why not? Working with them is a joy. I won't allow the work atmosphere to be polluted by vicious talk. If I stop working with them, I'll be playing into the hands of those who are indulging in this kind of loose talk.
WHEN IS RANI ACTUALLY GETTING MARRIED?
I don't know. Journalists who play Gods know better. Maybe they can tell me. I hope I find someone soon.
YOU PLAY A PROSTITUTE IN TWO OF YOUR FILMS.
So much has been made of it. What's wrong with playing a prostitute? I've started looking at people who occupy that space with more respect. Forget about being a threat to society, sex workers actually prevent many rapes from happening. And if they're doing their job decently, not committing any crime, why should we look down on them? What's the difference between selling bodies and selling brains? What worries me is human trafficking. The thought of girls being forced into the flesh trade appalls me. Otherwise, I believe in the dignity of labour.
DIRECTOR PRADEEP SARKAR SAYS YOU'RE OBSESSIVE ABOUT YOUR WORK.
Does he? My big secret is out! I'm compulsively attached to my work. There's no man, no distraction between 'lights' and 'action'. And that's for the better. I've been constantly playing central characters in all my films. This puts a lot of pressure on me. What makes this easy for me is, I always look at the larger picture. Of course, I'm concerned about the way I look. But I'm most concerned about my character vis--vis the film. I don't want anyone to say Rani didn't look the part.
YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE UNDERDOG.
I've noticed a tendency in myself to bring in a social cause in most of my films. Ek koi cause to pakadna hi chahihiye, though in an entertaining way. I love playing marginalised characters. I've noticed this tendency in Mumbai to shun people who don't speak fluent English. I feel sad for such people. Does one have to be respected for one's cool quotient instead of more intrinsic values? I think being cool isn't about the way you dress and talk, but about what you are from within. And I hope to sensitise the privileged class by playing such characters. My character in Laga Chunri Mein Daag addresses itself to the trauma of being a girlchild and that too the first born where you've to behave like the son of the family.
AFTER SUCH HEAVYWEIGHT ROLES, DO YOU FEEL SILLY RUNNING AROUND TREES?
Not at all. I love trees. I love dancing around them. I'm a post-graduate student in such roles! So bring on those roles. In fact, I like combining singing and dancing with an issue-based theme. I've a lot of fun doing such roles.
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