Bollywood icon Rani Mukherjee has given us some of the brilliant movies like Black, Hichki, Mardaani, No One Killed Jessica, Veer Zara, Hum Tum, Yuva. On the occasion of Women’s Day, Rani spoke her mind about how women can ensure that they support more women in every department of filmmaking in a clearly male-driven Indian film industry.
Rani says—
In my journey in the Hindi film industry, I have realised that the power is with the women to change the perception about how women are represented in every aspect of film-making. We have to support each other, root for each other and empower each other so that the road is smoother for others who want to make a name for themselves in the male-driven industry. We have to celebrate each other and our successes collectively to ensure that we are all heard all the more.
Rani’s work is famous in the history of Indian cinema. She considers herself lucky to have had the opportunity to bring these illustrious women to life. Talking about it, she says-
As an artist, I have been fortunate enough to play some really fantastic self-reliant women on screen and live their inspiring stories closely. Like me, many actresses over generations have tried to change the conversation about how women are portrayed on screen. I’m blessed that through my films I was given an opportunity to change the conversation of female representation in India.
Rani’s previous two films, Hichki and Mardaani, were box-office hit. She wants to continue to find such brilliant screenplays so that she can represent women on screen well.
She says, “I have throughout my career made conscious decisions to portray strong women characters on screen who led by example for society. I have chosen to play women characters who can command respect, because of their uninhibited life choices. Going forward too, I will be inclined to pick projects that have a powerful story to tell through the eyes of a bold, upright woman who doesn’t fear voicing her opinions and is confident about being herself.”