Rani Mukerji had always wanted to be famous, but her mom motivated her to become an actress.“Coming from a filmi family, a lot of people do anticipate that this is the profession you are also going to take up. But I had always thought that only tall, beautiful, charismatic girls could be actresses. I did not think I had all these qualities. However, I got my first movie offer from Salim (Khan) uncle when I was in Class X. I actually asked him whether he is sure about offering me a role,” she shares.
Rani’s first ever screen test was a big disaster. “I was made to wear Mamta Kulkarni’s mini skirt because Salim uncle had just done Baazi with Aamir and Mamta. So they gave me that skirt. And I asked them, ‘Accha, this is how it happens?’ I was totally clueless. I had never worn a mini-skirt before. It was quite a cultural shock for me. After that, they put glycerin in my eyes after which I could not open my eyes. My eyes were burning and I asked them whether this was what the actors used to cry on screen. I did not know all these technicalities.”
But then, what finally motivated her to stick to acting? “I love my parents more than anything else in the world. And it is for them that I decided to give my best to cinema. Otherwise, I was really happy being rejected after my first audition.” Rani has been in the Hindi film industry for more than 12 years now and feels that these years have been the best of her life. “My first few movies did not do well and I have no qualms in saying that. But then, one always learns over a period of time. I have reached a stage of life today where I can choose the movies I want to do. Hard work always pays. I have always been a sincere child and that is what has got me so far,” she smiles.
Rani has played the role of a fairy in her soon to be released Thoda Pyaar... Thoda Magic and she’s super excited about the flick. “Let me clear one thing, it is not a rip-off of any movie. I am playing the role of a fairy and trust me, flying is a lot of fun,” she laughs. “The only thing is that you have to get used to the harness, which can be tiring. So if you find cycling 60 feet above the ground and being tied to a harness cool, well, I am really cool. And by the way, after shooting for the flying scenes everyone on the sets was calling me the female Krrish,” she laughs. Rani also says that she has put on some three kilos after shooting for this movie. “Arre, what could I do? Kunal asked me to look golu-polu because this fairy has to be a nanny on earth. So I happily ate what all the four kids ate – ice creams, chips and loads of junk food.”
On to her personal life... Rani rubbishes rumours linking her and Aditya Chopra. “I still have to find a guy who I can date. After dating him for a while, I will then figure out whether I want to marry him or not and after marrying him I would love to have kids with him. And after they grow up, I will decide whether they can be actors or not. Depends on their look and talent you see!” Well Rani, that sure seems like a plan!
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