Rani Mukerji on motherhood, meaningful roles, and winning the National Award

Rani Mukerji stole the spotlight at the grand finale of the India Today Conclave 2025. Since her debut in 1996, the actor’s journey has been defined by milestones—her choice of roles, her ability to break stereotypes, and her fierce independence. Known for never mincing her words, Mukerji has a long list of accomplishments to her name, the latest being a National Award for Best Actress for her acclaimed performance in Mrs. Chatterjee v/s Norway.

Winning the National Award for the first time 

Despite being a favourite contender for the award for Black when she was just 25-years-old, the award didn’t come her way. While she rationalised circumstances by realising that things happen only when they’re meant to happen, she shares how her father had been disappointed at the time. When she received the news for her having won the National Award and shared it with her mother, she felt his presence in the room, as well. She spoke about how she modelled Debika’s character in Mrs. Chatterjee upon her mother. She said, “I think the award means so much happiness for my fans, for my well-wishers, for my friends and family who have wished this award in my life.” She shared how she’s been like a horse with blinkers, to work hard, and to do her best in her craft. She reflects how the success of a film is not in her hands, but in that of the audience. She felt that another special part of the victory was to win alongside Shah Rukh Khan, and the wait has been worth it. “I have always believed in faith and patience,” she continues. “I have always kept them as a constant in my life. I am grateful for what I get…and also for what I don’t.”

A career graph that reaches the stars 

Rani shared how she’s grateful to Karan Johar to have given her the role of ‘Tina’ in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. She feels like it’s a character that has always stuck with her, and the audience both. She discussed how her role in Bunty aur Babli struck a chord across the nation. She talks about learning from her co-stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and having a more playful relationship with Abhishek Bachchan. Talking about ensemble casts, she said, “Nothing is bigger than the story of a film, not even we actors.” She spoke about doing justice to the characters, and be content with them, disregarding if it’s part of a larger cast or just the focal point. She also feels that layered inputs from all the people who come together for a film help take it to the next level. While choosing movies, she shares that she isn’t as selfish as only thinking about herself. She considers if it’s a story that needs to be told, and places that as her primary parameter. She says that evaluating the evolution of an actor is best left to the critics.

A homemaker par excellence 

Handling home-duties with equal aplomb, Mukerji chuckles as she talks about her role in shaping the life of Aditya Chopra, often referred to as the most powerful man in Bollywood. “There is a very strong woman behind a powerful man,” she says. “I give him really good Punjabi food at home! His meals are very healthy…For him, love is about food.” She also shares how her daughter, Adira, would have loved to be there for the National Award ceremony. Since children weren’t allowed, however, she wore a gold necklace with Adira’s initials on it, since she had promised her she would be there on stage with her. Contemplating the myth that cinema takes a backseat once a woman is married, she said that she’s bust that myth already, and discussed how several progressive predecessors like Sharmila Tagore and Dimple Kapadia had paved the way for balance. She also discussed the importance of setting priorities after marriage and emphasised that the choice to do anything at all—be it as a homemaker or a professional—should always be with the woman.

From discussing the nuances of acting to the delicate responsibilities that a woman handles in the personal-professional juggle, the conversation was lively and meaningful, much like Mukerji herself.

Lead image: Getty Images

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