The Husky Babe

By: Poonam Deviah

Her husky voice gives her a class, her eyes speak volumes and acting is in her genes. Rani Mukherjee, daughter of director Ram Mukherjee and cousin of Kajol, acting comes naturally to her, when they have had a legacy of stars in the family.

Her first movie, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, flopped at the box office. She was not the one to give up easily. Her wonderful performance in Ghulam won her instant acclaim and recognition. There were raving reviews about her brilliant performance in the movie. She received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Ever since there has been no looking back for Rani. She has starred with actor-director Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram.

Hum Tum with Saif Ali Khan was a runaway hit and did well. In Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black Rani gave a heart rendering performance, where she played the role of a visually impaired and deaf girl. She also did Amol Palekar's Paheli, which though made its way to Oscars, failed to get selected. Her performance though didn't go unnoticed. Paheli is supernatural love story of a ghost who falls in love with a newlywed woman. Needless to say Rani, played the newly wed woman. Another notable performance was in Bunty Aur Babli, opposite Abhishek Bachchan. The chirpy role of Babli won her accolade and the movie was accepted well and became a box-office hit. Though a small role in Mangal Pandey, 1857: The Rising, she got immense publicity for her dance in 'vaari- vaari.'

She got the IIFA award for best supporting actress for Veer- Zaara, where she plays a lawyer out to get justice and unite long lost lovers across boundaries. Rani is currently the reigning queen in Bollywood.

Some of her movies include: Yuva, Chalte Chalte, Saathiya, Bas Itnasa Khwaab Hai, Chori Chori , Hadh Kardi Aapne , Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaye. Rumours have not been very kind to Rani, she was at a certain time linked with Govinda and was held responsible for is marriage on the rocks. Then there was a Abhishek Bachchan, we all thought they were into something serious, Nothing came out of it either. Career is rocking for Rani and she seems to be here to stay.