When we spoke to her a day after Saraswati Puja, Rani Mukerji had almost lost her voice. “Aami ato jore ‘Saraswati Maa ki joy’ bollam je akhon aamar gola ta puro boshe gechhe,” said Rani, going on to describe what went down at what she says is her “favourite Puja”.
The actor is thick in the middle of promoting her January 30 release Mardaani 3. The latest instalment in the hit franchise sees Rani return as fearless and fiery cop Shivani Shivaji Roy, a role that she has been essaying to critical acclaim and box-office returns since 2014.
Rani also steps into her 30th year as an actor, with the National Award for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway last year being the crowning glory of an extremely successful career.
A dozen years and three films later, do you still discover new things about Shivani Shivaji Roy?
The surprise factor is always there. With every instalment and with the years going by, the writers do bring in some newness in the character, especially with the change in her designation. She also brings in more experience, and as an actor, so do I. There has always been an element of growth for Shivani. In Mardaani (2014), she was a crime branch officer. In Mardaani 2 (2019), she became an SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police). In the third film, she has a different post. As a person, she remains the same in terms of her courage and her values, but there is a lot more layering to her character now. There is something different about her.
I was a different Rani when you spoke to me for the first time so many years ago and today I am a different Rani. Life has progressed for me in many ways... I have seen many more Holis and Diwalis now. It has been the same for this character. Change is constant for all of us.
The success of Mardaani spurred a lot more titles — both in films and on TV — in the lady boss cop subgenre. What do you think it is about a woman cop kicking ass that appeals so much to the audience? Is it more than just the power aspect of it?
That is a very good question. Mardaani did lead the way and inspired many creators to push a woman as a tough cop to the forefront. When I meet these real-life cops myself — whether it is for research or even otherwise — I feel so inspired. Their stories need to come to the screen, they need to be shown. That is always what I wanted to do with the Mardaani films.
I want the viewer to understand that a cop is not defined by gender. A female cop works as hard as a male cop, if not more... she gets no leeway. She has to go through the same kind of drill as her male counterparts. Shivani is an amalgamation of all those lady police officers I met before I did the first film, and continue to do so. We want to celebrate these women, we want to salute them for the kind of work they do day in and day out. Not only that, so many of them have told me that they cook in the morning, send their kids to school, they go and do their duty the whole day and at night, they come back home to again cook and take care of their families. They are truly superhuman. I feel honoured to bring their stories to screen and I am happy Mardaani has paved the way for so many more of these stories. It is a big honour for me and also a huge responsibility.
Mardaani 3 is being positioned as a darker and grittier instalment of the franchise. For the first time, the antagonist, played by Mallika Prasad, is a woman...
We shouldn’t really look at labels like a woman being up against a woman. Mardaani is a story of good versus evil... evil can exist anywhere and within anyone, it needn’t be gender specific. Audiences need to go and watch a film based on its merit. If they like a trailer, they should go and watch a film, irrespective of who is acting in the film. If an audience wants to see a film, there is no stopping them from doing so. That is what has happened with the Mardaani franchise as a whole. The audience has always embraced these films as their own.
Congratulations on completing 30 years in films. It has been a memorable, hugely successful career. Do you remember the emotions you felt when you faced the camera for your first film?
I remember them very clearly. It was the mahurat shot for Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat. I had to deliver a very long monologue and was dressed in very heavy bridal finery. It was designed by Manish Malhotra, and that was the first day I met Manish. In those days, the mahurat shot used to be done in a very different way from what it is now. People from the industry as well as friends and family would be called to watch it. I was like: “Oh my God, I will have to stand in front of so many stalwarts and do this!” But something within me clicked and I did it. Actually, I had no choice... I had to do it! Honestly, I felt that this is where I belong, this is what I am meant to be doing. Everything was surreal and yet it felt so right. After that, there was no looking back for me. I am glad you asked me this question... it helped me relive those emotions (smiles).
Do you think the ability to convert your perceived weaknesses — your voice, the fact that you didn’t come in with a tentpole project — into strengths has contributed to the longevity of your career?
One can never really pinpoint and say what the audience has loved and not loved. I think it has been a mix of various things — the audience’s love, a bit of destiny, my hard work and sincerity towards my craft and also the intention with which I set out to become an actor. Added to that has been the blessing of my parents as well as the support I got from colleagues, peers, producers, directors, music directors, writers, screenplay writers, dialogue writers... everybody. The contribution they have made to my career is immense.
My core team — my hair and make-up people and my spot (boy) — has been with me through thick and thin. There have been times when I haven’t had a great day at work, but their support has always been there, whether it is giving me a warm hug or saying: “It is fine, things are going to be great.” Or my make-up artist ensuring I looked my best even on days when I felt I didn’t. When I talk about my 30-year journey, these are the things that come to my mind. So many people have built my career right alongside me. No one can do anything single-handedly. My career is the product of huge collaborative effort. I would never ever take any solo credit for how far I have come. But hard work is non-negotiable, it can’t be replaced.
Congratulations for the National Award! How much does this win mean to you in this phase of your career? Like many others, I felt it was a long time coming...
What it really means to me is what the audience feels about it. Like you said, many also felt that I should have got it earlier, that it was a long time coming. That is beautiful, that is the kind of feeling I cherish. I also secretly feel very proud of the fact that there is an audience, that there are people who love me so much that they have this feeling for me (smiles). For me, all the awards that I have got so far have only been for my parents, my fans and my well-wishers. I feel happy because with the National Award, they feel it is their achievement too. And if so many people think I deserved it earlier, that is an award in itself for me.
My favourite Rani Mukerji film is... Tell t2@abp.in