Rani Mukerji Rani Mukerji (born Rani Mukherjee on 21 March 1978)[1] is an Indian film actress who works in Hindi movies. Born to the Mukherjee- Samarth family, she made her acting debut with a cameo appearance in the Bengali film Biyer Phool (1996), on the insistence of her mother. The following year, Mukerji made her Hindi film debut with Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, and subsequently had her first, and still biggest commercial success with Karan Johar's romance Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), which won her a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress . She later starred in several films that fared below expectations, before featuring in the critically acclaimed drama Saathiya, for which she won her first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.[2] In 2004, her performances in the hit romantic comedy Hum Tum and the critically acclaimed Yuva earned her the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards, respectively, at the 50th Filmfare Awards. She later received unanimous praise for her portrayal of a blind, deaf and mute woman in Black (2005), for which she garnered two more Filmfare Awards: Best Actress and Actress - Critics.[3] She went on to play leading roles in the comedy Bunty Aur Babli (2005) and the adult drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), both of which emerged as major commercial successes in India as well as overseas.[4] Mukerji thus established herself as a leading actress of Hindi cinema.[5] She then played a series of roles, a majority of which were under the Yash Raj Films banner, that stereotyped her as a weepy, sacrificing woman. None of these films performed well at the box office. However, in 2011, she earned praise for her portrayal of a headstrong, independent woman in the semi-biographic thriller No One Killed Jessica.[6] In addition to acting in films, Mukerji has featured as a talent judge for Sony Entertainment Television's reality show Dance Premier League.[7] She is a regular stage performer and has been involved in philanthropic endeavors related to women and children. Despite constant speculation, she remains guarded about her personal life and is sometimes labelled a recluse by members of the media. Mukerji currently lives in Juhu with her parents. Early life and background Main article: Mukherjee- Samarth family Mukerji was born in Mumbai on 21 March 1978 to a film- oriented family of Bengali origin. Her father, Ram Mukherjee, is a retired director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios while her mother, Krishna, was a playback singer.[8] Her brother, Raja Mukherjee, is a film producer turned director.[9] Her maternal aunt, Debashree Roy, is a Bengali film actress and her cousin, Kajol, is a popular Bollywood actress.[10] Another cousin of hers, Ayan Mukerji is the writer and director of Wake Up Sid (2009).[11] As part of a tradition, the Mukherjee family celebrates the festival of Durga Puja at Santacruz every year. Mukerji, being a religious person, takes part in the festivities with her entire family.[12][13] Mukerji is a trained Odissi dancer and began learning the dance in the tenth grade.[14] She was schooled at Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu, and graduated from SNDT Women's University in the field of Home Science. Despite her family background, Mukerji was never interested in becoming an actress.[15] In 1994, director Salim Khan approached her to be a part of his directorial, Aa Gale Lag Jaa. Her father was against her working in films and hence, she turned down the offer.[16] However, she finally decided to take up acting on an experimental basis, on the insistence of her mother.[17] Acting career Early work and breakthrough (1997–2002) After doing a cameo appearance for the first time in her father's Bengali film Biyer Phool (1996), Mukerji made her Hindi film debut the following year, as the protagonist of Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat.[18] Her performance as a rape victim was well- received, but the film failed to do well at the box office. Nevertheless, she received a Special Jury recognition at the Star Screen Awards.[19] The film's commercial failure made her return to college to complete her education. However, she was inspired by her cousin Kajol, who had established herself as a successful actress in Bollywood, and thus decided to try films again.[20] Mukerji had a successful comeback in 1998 withVikram Bhatt's Ghulam, opposite Aamir Khan. The film did moderately well at the box office, while the song " Aati Kya Khandala" earned her public recognition.[21][22] Karan Johar's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, was her next release. She played the supporting role of Tina Malhotra, a sophisticated girl in love with Khan's character. Of her performance, Rediff.com wrote, "Rani Mukherjee is a pleasant surprise — totally comfortable, clearly having suspended all disbelief".