Rani Mukherjee

Rani made her appearance noticed with her first big hit film Gulam and thereafter kept on giving hits one after another. Her performance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was highly appreciated. Now, with her excellent performances in recent films like Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Hey Raam, Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaaye and last but not the least the recently released Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Rani Mukerjee she has proved that she is an excellent actress and is here to stay. She talks at length about her career, her approach to life and her forthcoming films - Chori Chori, Tumko Meri Kasam and Pyar Deewana Hota Hai.

Excerpts from an interview with SeasonsIndia correspondent Suhasini

How does it feel to be successful?
Great. Success is something that one wants all the time. But have I really become successful? I don't think so. Though I am getting more offers now then before. I have a long way to go. Maybe my directors and producers have more confidence in me because I'm successful! Behind this success are my associates who had confidence in me.

How has success changed your life style?
My life style definitely changed. I don't deny that. But work was and is the focal point of my life. Now suddenly I am meeting a whole lot of people and a whole lot of things are happening to me. This new style is making me run between parties and films. Especially after Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham clicked, I find myself a hot person, though I did a cameo role in the film. But then I am not taking this success too seriously, as I know I am a rising star. I don't want to get carried away. As I said I still have a long way to go and competition is tough.

Tell us something about your role in Chori Chori?
Well it's a romantic love story. I am cast opposite Ajay Devgun. It has been a lovely experience to work with an actor of the stature of Ajay Devgun in the film being directed by Milan Luthria who had earlier directed Kachche Dhaage and produced by Lalit Kapoor and Raju Nirula. I play a character called Khushi, who is an orphan and a hostess in a hotel banquet hall in Delhi. I meet Ajay and then the romance starts. My character is very interesting as it reveals the inner most desire of an orphan girl when she is raised by a group of traditional North Indian wedding singers and who has grown up seeing girls being wed to handsome grooms.

Is it true that you had turned down an offer from Mani Ratnam to act in his Tamil film?
Well I would never do such a thing. Are you kidding me? Whatever the script of his film may be, I'd be too glad work with him because working in his film would automatically prove to be a benchmark for me as an actress. I couldn't do his earlier film because I was already committed to my other projects. I will be working in Saathiyan, the Hindi version of Alaipayuthe with Vivek Oberoi, Suresh Oberoi's son. It is being presented by Mani Ratnam and produced by Yash Chopra.

What happened to Tumko Meri Kasam in which you were to star opposite Anil Kapoor?
There were some problems between Anilji and Mukesh Bhattji and Anil ultimately turned down the offer. Now I have been teamed up opposite Aftaab Shivdasani. My role is quite challenging and I am very much excited about it.

Tell us something about your role in Pyar Deewana Hota Hai?
Well it is a romantic love story but the plot is different with lots of comedy in it. Govinda is my co-star and he is an excellent actor and comedian so it has to be an absolute family entertainer. I cant disclose more at this point.

Is it true that you have turned a producer of a TV serial called Main Hoon Kati Patang?
For your information, I have not turned a producer. It is my brother Raja who is producing this serial called Main Hoon Kati Patang directed by Ajay Mehra. Though he is designing my clothes, he has always had this urge to try his hand at production because my dad Ram Mukherjee himself was a renowned producer-director at one time. My dad is presenting the serial, not me.

Lastly are you seeing anyone?
No I am single. At this point of time I am focussed on my work and want to concentrate only in my work. Success in film industry doesn't stay as your friend for too long if you do not work towards maintaining a healthy relationship with it by working hard and putting your best into it. Therefore love and marriage are out of the question now. I still have time to fall in love and I will tell you when I am in love, that's a promise. Falling in love is not child's play.