‘Just the start, want to win many more’: Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji is elated to have won her first National Film Award in her nearly three-decade-long career and hopes to win many more in the future.The 46-year-old was speaking at a media conclave on Friday when she was asked if the honour marked the culmination of her journey that began in 1996.

“I would like to see it as an eternity. It keeps going, I wouldn't like to say full stop because there's lots more to do, many National Awards to win. Maybe this is just the start,” Mukerji said.

Mukerji made her screen debut with the Bengali film Biyer Phool (1996) and went on to feature in blockbuster Hindi films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Ghulam, Chalte Chalte, Saathiya, Hum Tum, Black, Mardaani and Hichki.

She was conferred the Best Actress honour for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway by President Droupadi Murmu at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday.

At the ceremony, Mukerji was seen wearing a gold chain with her daughter Adira's name embedded on it.

The actor said her nine-year-old daughter was keen to attend the function but was unable to due to protocol.

“She was howling because she wanted to be part of the National Award function and we were told children under 14 are not allowed. I had to tell her she couldn't be with me and she was like, ‘It's so unfair because I'm the happiest that you won the award'.

"She had also made a painting for me and I said, ‘Don't worry, I'll have you with me on this special day'. So, that was my way of having her with me,” the actor said.

Mukerji admitted she was “disappointed” when she did not win the award for her portrayal of a deaf and blind young woman in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black (2005), which also starred Amitabh Bachchan.

The film, however, won three awards -- Best Actor for Bachchan, Best Costume Design and Best Feature Film in Hindi.

“I gave my all in Black, and I was only 25 at that time. There was chatter that I would win and when I didn't, that's when my blinkers came on. I thought, ‘Even when you do your best work, it might not always be in your favour'.

"I told myself, don't be disappointed, keep working hard, you need to do better, and I kept doing that,” she said.

Mukerji is currently filming the third installment of the Mardaani franchise, slated for a 2026 release.