"If Babul does well, I will give credit to my parents" - Rani
By IndiaFM News Bureau, November 11, 2006 - 03:04 IST
Rani Mukherji gets candid on camera with Arnab Goswami. She talks exclusively on Times Now about her life, private moments, friends and family. Get to know another side of Rani on the show. Below are the few excerpts of the chat so you know what you can expect
Arnab: But why? Are you diplomatic?
Rani: I am diplomatic.
Arnab: You are a cautious person?
Rani: I am... because I believe that one’s frankness should not hurt another person.
Arnab: Ok. There are 2 Rani Mukerjis that I know. There is one who is absolutely divine looking - I would say the more recent Rani Mukherjee and there is another Rani Mukerji where she did lots of films but she is not the Rani Mukerji who is sitting before me now. She is not the Rani Mukerji of Black. She is not the Rani of more recent films. What happened to the old one?
Rani: I just grew up.
Arnab: No tell me honestly
Rani: Yes I did.
Arnab: How many years have you been acting?
Rani: Around 11 years
Arnab: and there were 2 phases?
Rani: No, I would not call them 2 phases. I would say that film industry is an industry where you grow with every film of yours. It is a gradual process where you have to experience & experience & experience & then you realise what you really want to do. Probably when you are younger you do a film because you want the money or you do a film because you just want to be a part of the film, work with a particular co-star or work in a director’s film who you have admired. So there are different priorities when you get into the industry & then you realise that ‘no this is not what I am here for’. I really want to enjoy my work. And when that happened the change in my films happened & the change in me happened, because I got a little more focused... not that I wasn’t focused before but yes I wasn’t as focused as I am now.
Arnab: What was the one film which made the change?
Rani: Not one film. There were a lot of films that I did where I really dint want to be a part of those films but I did because my parents had agreed to do those films.
Arnab: You were not taking the decisions yourself?
Rani: No. Because I was young & there were certain decisions which I felt were fine if my parents took.
Arnab: They wanted you to be in the film industry?
Rani: Not they. My mother especially. She was very determined that I be an actress & she was the one who actually instilled the germ in my head that I could be an actor because I never really thought so.
Arnab: You didn’t want to?
Rani: I never really thought that I was talented or could be part of this industry.
Arnab: Then why did your mother think so?
Rani: Because she thought that I was pretty!
Arnab: As simple as that?
Rani: As simple as that. Because my mother’s younger sister is a film actor in Calcutta & the number one star there. So my mother had this thing in her mind & heart that she wants her daughter to be an actress & today hats off to her she has made her daughter into an actress.
Arnab: When you came to this industry - you know what they say about this rat race - even if you come first you will still remain a rat? How competitive was it?
Rani: No not really. People who stay out of the industry thinking it’s a rat race but to be very honest as you said we are frankly speaking... frankly speaking I would say that when you come into the industry you just want to be accepted by the industry. So it’s not about being competitive with anybody else.
Arnab: It’s also like having a brand? I mean you have to have something that people remember you for?
Rani: No that is inborn.
Arnab: The reason I am pushing this forward is I've an image of Rani Mukherjee in say a film like Hello Brother - slapstick image & the Rani Mukherjee of Black or even somewhere in between the Rani Mukherjee of Saathiya. Very different. It must have been a deliberate decision somewhere? Something must have happened & you would have told yourself that no I am not getting anywhere with this kind of stuff.
Rani: No it’s not about slapstick. It’s not as if I've only done slapstick in that phase, I've done a lot of films. I've done Hey Ram during that phase & which I think a lot of people appreciated. So it’s not as if Hello Brother is the only film I've done. People do forget the other films that I've done during that phase.
Arnab: Are you angry about that phase?
Rani: No not at all
Arnab: I will talk about your present phase later on but for now am talking about that phase of ‘Had Kardi Aapne’, ‘Chalo Ishq Ladaye’…
Rani: …Bichu, Baadal… a lot of films are there. It’s not as if I've done these films & I am not proud of it. I am proud of all my films because every film has somewhere in my life taught me a lot of things. Because for me to get a break in films was a big thing & then to be accepted.
Arnab: Why was it a big thing?
Rani: Of course it was a big thing. Who would want to cast a person like me? I didn’t know myself that I would be an actor.
Arnab: But your mother thought?
Rani: Yes my mother thought.
Arnab: Were you under-confident?
Rani: I would not say I was under confident but there is something where you don’t really believe that you can do a certain thing …
Arnab: You told her that?
Rani: Of course I told her that but she knew & she believed that I could be one. Because probably she has seen me as a child & she thought that I could. But coming back to the phase - at that phase I realised when I was doing those films I was working everyday but somehow I did not enjoy the characters I was playing. It was not the movies. It was the role that I was not enjoying.
Arnab: Why it didn’t have depth?
Rani: It was not as if it did not have depth or something but I was not enjoying as much. It was not probably the central role or it was not the main thing about the film.
Arnab: That’s not the reason. You have done things where you have not played the central role yet you were noticed.
Rani: No I am not talking whether the audience is noticing me. I am talking about myself.
Arnab: So it was becoming a drag at one point of time?
Rani: I would not call it a drag but it was something that I was not enjoying.
Arnab: Which was the one film which made you feel like coming back to work?
Rani: Saathiya & Mujhse Dosti Karoge
Arnab: If I remember Saathiya came at a time when you were not doing fantastically well in your career?
Rani: Probably yes. Not too fantastically as you put it. But I did have a film like Mujhse Dosti Karoge which had done well & that was one film & Saathiya was one film where I really enjoyed my roles & I really enjoyed going to work. So I really liked those films & probably because of these 2 films I realise yes I must take on nice roles & film where I really feel that I've something to do in it.
Arnab: You became more confident?
Rani: I would not say confident. Confident I was from my first film.
Arnab: You got noticed?
Rani: Probably yes as a more serious actor.
Arnab: Did you get into the rat race after that?
Rani: What rat race are you talking about?
Arnab: Come on Rani!
Rani: Come on what?
Arnab: Rani, be frank with me... I am not a film journalist...
Rani: Why do you think that I won’t be frank with you?
Arnab: ...because you began by saying that...
Rani: I was just pulling your leg…
Arnab: Bottom line is that now am sitting opposite someone who presumably holds the number one tag. Do you look at yourself as holding the number one tag?
Rani: No I don’t. I just see myself as somebody who is respected in the industry for the kind of work that I have done & for me it’s very important that I do not let my fans down because they have supported me even as you so called the phase where I wasn’t noticed. My fans supported me even at that phase. My fans loved me in films like Bicchu & Hello Brother, my songs were super hit in all those movies & my fans really supported me even at the phase where my critics were lashing out at me, my clothes, my make-up & my weight...everything....
Arnab: It was difficult?
Rani: Fans are very very innocent people, when they love you they love you from your first film & they will love you forever. So it’s our duty & responsibility as stars to not let them down.
Arnab: Politicians are diplomatic & stars also diplomatic.
Rani: Why do you say that stars are diplomatic? Just because you sit on the chair to interview us doesn’t mean that you say anything…
Arnab: Can I ask you a simple question? Is there competition in your industry?
Rani: Competition is there in every field. Competition is there in your field also. So when you say stars are diplomatic you should know why they are diplomatic.
Arnab: Why?
Rani: Yes I am saying something diplomatic probably I am feeling that it’s not important for me to tell a media person the truth because that might hurt somebody. If you ask me whether he or she is your friend? Why should I answer that to you? I would tell or show that other person
Arnab: I never asked you that.
Rani: I am explaining you why stars are diplomatic & why you get a diplomatic answer?
Arnab: That was a pretty long reply for such a simple question?
Rani: Yes. I need to be as long because I need to explain to you that you have to be that nice to a person who comes & sits in front of you.
Arnab: We are not in the business of being nice but we are in the business of asking questions. If I were asked if I want to be the number one I would just say yes.
Rani: Good for you.
Arnab: So I am asking Rani Mukerji is she number one & what does that number one slot mean to you?
Rani: For me, I want my film to be number one because as long as your films are number one, as long as your films do really well you will always be considered as really good.
Arnab: They say that Rani Mukherjee is one actress who works well with all the Khans. Which one has been your most comfortable working relationship? Whom do you have a special equation with among all your actors.
Rani: Only the Khans you are talking about or all other actors?
Arnab: You can broaden that…
Rani: I can broaden that? Let’s start with the Khans because I started my career with them. Aamir & Shah Rukh remain very special in my life because Aamir & Shah Rukh were superstars when I worked with them. I was barely a newcomer. Hardly knew how to act, didn’t have the know-how to even do a scene. I was put in front of big stars like them. Ghulam & Kuch Kuch Hota Hain were the films I did with them. It’s been a wonderful experience working with them because I learnt a lot working with them. They were my seniors at that point of time & what I really found amazing about these 2 people was that they were so focused & dedicated towards their work. I really got to learn a lot & I guess because those are the formative years of your life, you are trying to grope & learn things because you are so new. My experience working with them really helped me becoming a better actor.
Arnab: Tell me about the Aati kya Khandala song... did you think it would be such big hit when you were shooting it?
Rani: We didn’t really think that. It was something that just happened & of course the audience has liked it so much that it was almost like a national anthem in that time. But while we were shooting it we really didn’t think it would be such a big rage. As I told you my entire experience in working with Aamir in Ghulam... I still look up to him & they are 2 people whom I can do anything for, whenever they ask me because I’ve that respect for them. They have been very instrumental in shaping my career in an indirect way... without even knowing... I've learnt a lot from them like the way they used to work, their conduct - professionally & personally... the way they treated me - they did not treat me badly because I was a new comer. They made me feel very comfortable, they really took time out to teach me on the sets... if something would go wrong they were there to help me. So I would say that my comfort level with these 2 people would always be special & will always be very different because they have actually seen me grow as an actor. Even today when I am doing well they just feel proud as parents towards me. They really feel proud of my achievements. So it’s a different equation that I’ve with them. So I can’t really compare these 2 with anybody.
Arnab: In one of your interviews you said if I compare these 2 with others I would loose out on their friendship? Another film that I particularly liked was Yuva. There was Ajay & Esha, there was Kareena & Vivek & Abhishek & you. There was a great intensity between you & Abhishek than others… I am sure that even you felt. Now don’t be diplomatic
Rani: No... why should I be diplomatic? If you are asking me I will tell you. I would never give credit to any actor for this kind of intensity because intensity is the way the roles are written. And of course if you are friends with a particular actor the chemistry becomes easier and that looks very nice.
Arnab: Right, it also happened in Bunty aur Babli? You could almost read what the other person is going to do?
Rani: Exactly. Because the writing is great, you have great lines to speak. So nobody when a film does well can take credit single handedly. I personally believe that it’s always a team work.
Arnab: Your equation with Abhishek is very evident in Bunty & Babli... it was very evident in Yuva. It was very different from other films.
Rani: Yes because me & Abhishek share that great friendship & there’s a great ease with which we can perform the roles because Abhishek has definitely come lot after me in films. I can boss over him, I can scold him & I can scream at him. So I guess that I can’t do with any of my co-stars because I know there’s always a respect for Aamir & Shah Rukh. I look up to them.
Arnab: Is there competition between you & Aishwarya?
Rani: I don’t know you should ask yourself. You are the media. You are the one who creates it.
Arnab: I’m the purveyor of gossip!
Rani: No. You are the one who creates it so you should be asking yourself.
A: Is there competition between you & Ash? Because...You were fantastic in Black...We want you to do many more such films.
Rani: Thanks. Please pray that more directors should come out with more films like that, more scripts like that because I as an actor unfortunately can’t get up in the morning and choose. I am at the receiving end so if a director offers me a role or writes a role like that for me I would definitely do it.
Arnab: When you did Black & Ash did Devdas... some people say that you both were friends before that but after that the competition really began. Tell me about it.
Rani: I don’t think there is competition. I think Sanjay is competing with his own films.
Arnab: Is there competition between Rani & Aishwarya?
R: No I don’t think so. I think every actor competes with her or himself.
Arnab: Say this honestly?
Rani: Am honestly & frankly telling you because you are asking me. But if you ask another actor probably you will get another reply but if you ask me Rani Mukerji the actor then I would say I compete with myself. When you see me in Hum Tum, Yuva, Veer Zara, Bunty aur Babli, Black, KANK or Baabul you will see a different me in all these films because I consciously make an effort that I should not be the same. That I should give my audiences something different.
Arnab: Are you a workaholic?
Rani: Yes I am.
Arnab: no time for personal life, there’s always going to be gossip around an actor like you, no time to find Mr. Right. I know it’s a clichéd question...
Rani: But it’s always nice to ask stars that na? The actresses?
Arnab: I ask this to actors also. No time for Mr. Right? Are you deliberately trying to put that phase out of your life?
Rani: I do believe that god has really been kind to me till now & I don’t think that why he should not be kind to me later on in life. Right now my energies & everything that I've right now revolves around my work because I've to do this really well....
Arnab: When the linkups happen...at a personal level how do you tackle it?
Rani: At a personal level I don’t react to it because for me fortunately I do my work & comeback to my home & what I react is to my family members & because it does not effect my family members it doesn’t affect me. Tomorrow if it affects my family members then yes probably it would affect me because I also come from a very conservative family. I come from a completely traditional, middle class, Bengali house... Baba & Ma waiting for me at dinner. So I had a very normal house where my father never really bought films home though he was a producer-director himself. He bought me & my brother up very traditionally & normally. I studies in Juhu in Maneckjee Cooper. So I've been a normal girl. The only thing is that I am an actor now & my profession is doing films but I treat my work as a job because I do something which I love doing. I love acting. I love the people around me when am working. I love actors, directors I just love this entire medium of films. I think that what you create brings a lot of satisfaction.
Arnab: Are you superstitious?
Rani: Yes I am
A: Is it true that you changed your name?
R: No I've not.
A: Was Mukherjee changed to Mukerji?
R: Mukerji was the way my name was spelt in KG class.
A: One controversy that drew my interest was that at one point of time when somebody asked you who is your idol? Did you say Adolf Hitler?
R: No I didn’t
A: You were 26 & you said I want to meet him to find out what was going on inside his head.
R: If there’s a quote then I must have said it but I don’t remember saying it.
A: Rani where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
R: I really don’t know. I don’t know what I will be doing tomorrow. 10 years is a long time.
A: You are doing a lot of films with Amitabh? Including your next film Baabul.
R: Yes. Amit Uncle is my most favourite-est actor! Baabul for me is a very special film because it is one film that my parents really wanted me to do & it’s one of those scripts that really made my dad very emotional & he put his foot down & said you have to do this film. So I am very emotional with Babul & if ever the movie does well I would give all the credit to my parents for me being the part of the film.
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