Rani Mukerji has given incredible acting performances to Indian cinema, from Sashi in Yuva, Saamiya in Veer-Zaara, Aparna in Hey Ram, Michelle McNally in Black, Naina Mathur in Hichki, Meera Gaity in No One Killed Jessica, Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani, to name a few.
The actress says she had always looked to celebrate the strength of women through her films whenever the opportunity presented itself. “No One Killed Jessica, Black, Mardaani, Hichki, etc. are some of the favourite films of my career because they resonated with who I am as a person in real life and my belief in how a woman should always be perceived. For me, a woman is a pillar of strength for her family, community, husband, child and I do feel we don’t celebrate women enough.”
Rani will once again take on the role of the fearless and committed Superintendent of Police, Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 2. “This film is another attempt of mine to showcase what a fearless, self-made, self-believing woman can do despite being pitted against all odds. Shivani Shivaji Roy is someone who will never back down in the face of injustice and I’m glad people have showered so much love and appreciation on her,” says the actress about the film.
As for the future of cinema, Rani is thrilled with the new generation of actors, who are choosing to pick up scripts with female protagonists. She opines, “I can see the tides changing and I can’t tell you how thrilled I’m as a woman and as an artist. I have silently tried to do my best to bring out powerful women on screen and impact the psyche of people through their life. I get so happy when I see the young actors choosing to do gritty, women-centric films that give out the correct message about women to society.”
