Happy Birthday Rani Mukherji: Five of her best performances

Bollywood’s light-eyed beauty Rani Mukherji turns 38 on Monday. Rani was born to former filmmaker Ram Mukherjee and Krishna Mukherjee on March 21, 1978. She is the paternal cousin of Kajol, Tanisha Mukherji and filmmaker Ayan Mukherji.

Known for her power-packed performances, Rani made her acting debut in her father’s Bengali film ‘Biyer Phool’. She debuted in Bollywood with 'Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat', but it was ‘Ghulam’ opposite Aamir Khan which gained her recognition. A supporting role in Karan Johar’s 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' was her next big move, and since then, there was no looking back for her.

Rani who is married to Yash Raj Films Chairman and filmmaker Aditya Chopra has take a break from films and is happy taking care of the couple’s three-month-old daughter Adira.

As she celebrates her birthday, let’s have take a trip down her career and check out five of her best performances.

Mardaani:

The 2014 crime thriller ‘Mardani’ was directed by Pradeep Sarkar. The movie saw Rani in the role of a brave police officer named Shivani Shivaji Roy. Her aim in the film is to hunt down a Delhi-based kingpin who runs a trafficking racket and rescue a teenage girl, Pyaari. Rani was appreciated for performance as determined cop who will stop at nothing.

No One Killed Jessica:

Based on the real-life murder of model Jessica Lal, Rani played the role of a feisty, determined and bold news reporter Meera Gaity, who uses cuss words and abuses openly. She helps the victim’s sister, played by Vidya Balan get justice in 2011 biographical film bt Rajkumar Gupta. Rani earned rave reviews for her portrayal of the character and bagged the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Black:

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2005 film ‘Black’ saw Rani play the role of Michelle McNally, blind, mute and deaf girl. She played the nuances of her character so well that her fans, audience as well as critics were blown over by her. The film revolved around her day-to-day struggle and her relationship with her teacher, played by Amitabh Bachchan. Rani received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and Best Actress Critics’ Choice.

Hum Tum:

In Kunal Kohli’s ‘Hum Tum’, Rani played the role of fiesty and fun-loving Rhea Prakash who keeps bumping into the wanderlust and flirtatious Karan Kapoor, played by Saif Ali Khan. The effervescent girl becomes quiet and gloomy when she becomes a widow in the film, and Rani portrayed both her sides convincingly. The movie won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

Saathiya:  

Rani played the role of Suhani Sharma opposite Vivek Oberoi in the romantic drama ‘Saathiya’. Directed by Shaad Ali, ‘Saathiya’ was a remake of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film ‘Alaipayuthey’.  The story revolved around a couple passionately in love with each other, who get married and elope to be together. Rani was charming and vibrant throughout her screen time which earned her accolades from critics and audience. She bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and Best Actress Critics’ Choice for her performance in the movie.