Top 10 performances of Rani Mukerji
Rani Mukerji is one among the top and talented actresses of Bollywood cinema all time. Known for her next-door girl look, Rani is extremely popular among viewers who love romantic and family entertainers. Started her film career in the mid-1990s she shot to fame in the year 1998 by playing the supporting role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and a brief role of Aamir Khan’s love interest in Ghulam. Though her roles in both these movies were short, she remained in spotlight for her glamorous avatar and songs pictured on her particularly – Aati Kya Khandala and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai also played a significant role in grooming her career. As a newcomer she got opportunity to romance two Khans of Bollywood in a single year and there was no turning back after that.
With hits and flops in equal proportion over the years, she rose to position no: 1 with the movies – Saathiya and Hum Tum. Preity Zinta was her main competent with whom she shared screen space for the movies, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Veer Zara. Though she has done glamorous roles onscreen, she is mostly associated with films suited for family audience and she mostly portrayed traditional Indian women on silver screen. Over the years she has never hesitated to accept supporting roles, and she has worked in many movies where she shared screen space with an A-grade B-town actress. She achieved success in most of such cases too. It proves that she was never insecure as far as her professional career is concerned.
Through this list I would like to list her best 10 performances, giving rank 1 to 10.
10. Mardaani (2014) – Number 10 movie in my list is Mardaani. She returned to silver screen after her marriage through Mardaani. She played a powerful cop in the film and the movie met with commercial success also. Mardaani is Rani’s last release, and she received several nominations at various award functions. Rani is now the mother of a baby daughter and her fans are eagerly waiting for her return to silver screen.
The movie was based on human trafficking and inspired from Hollywood movie Taken and Malayalam movie Thira, which marked the comeback of actress Shobana to silver screen after a long break. Interestingly Shobana played a character similar to Rani Mukerji’s character Shivani Shivaji Roy in the film.
9. Veera Zara (2004) – Rani played a notable supporting role in this romantic film. She shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta for this musical. Her supporting role as Saamiya Siddiqui, a Pakistani lawyer met with critical acclaim.
8. No One Killed Jessica (2011) – It’s a rare phenomenon to see a film shines at box office without any lead hero, and No One Killed Jessica belongs to this category. She shared screen space with Vidya Balan for the first time for a movie based on the Jessica Lal murder case, and the movie earned cash at box office counters as well. The first half of the movie belonged to Vidya Balan, and the second half exclusively for Rani. Rani received Filmfare award for best supporting actress for the role.
7. Chalte Chalte (2003) – The movie was noticed for the sizzling chemistry of Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji onscreen, and the movie plot was somewhat similar to her previous hit – Saathiya.
6. Yuva (2004) – The movie directed by ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam was noticed for the sizzling chemistry of Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji onscreen. The pair set screen on fire with the romantic track – Kabhi Neem Kabhi. There were rumours of their off screen relationship, and they later worked together in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Bunty Aur Babli. They shared screen space for the first time in the Bollywood flop, Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai.
Rani was praised for her acting talents as well, and she received Filmfare award for best supporting actress for the performance.
5. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) – After Kajol, Shah Rukh did maximum number of hit films with Rani Mukerji. This multi-star cast movie included Amitabh Bachchan, Kajol, Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta. Rani Mukerji received a Filmfare nomination for this film. The movie hugely displayed various emotions, and received mixed reviews from critics. 
4. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) – After a couple of flops, this cult classic film gave Rani Mukerji the big break which she has been dreaming about. This role was rejected by many leading ladies of B’town and finally went to Rani. Her role as Tina Malhotra, Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most lovable characters she played onscreen. Through Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Ghulam, she presented herself in a glamorous avatar and both these roles were appreciated. Very soon she established as the leading lady of Bollywood.
3. Saathiya (2002) – The movie was a turning point in her acting career and regarded as one of her best performances up-to-date. In my list, I give no: 3 to this path breaking role. Vivek Oberoi played the male lead, and its songs were huge chartbusters of the year. The movie was a remake of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil hit, Alaippayuthe (2000) which starred Madhavan and Shalini in lead roles. Rahman’s music was reused for the movie, except two songs. The movie gave her Filmfare Critics choice award, apart from several nominations. 
2. Hum Tum (2004) – This romantic comedy loosely based on the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally established Rani Mukerji as the No: 1 heroine of Bollywood. One of the most successful films of her career, its music too was extremely popular. Her fresh pairing with Saif Ali Khan and comedy timing were widely appreciated. She received her first Filmfare award in the popular actress category through this film.
1. Black (2005) – Here comes the no: 1 film in the list. Unarguably like Saathiya, Black too was a turning point of her acting career. It is her best performance up-to-date and she narrowly missed National Film Awards. But she managed to win all major acting awards of the year including Filmfare popular choice and critics’ choice. Inspired by the life of Helen Keller, Rani portrayed the role of a blind and deaf lady, Michelle McNally.
Here I conclude my countdown list, and would like to mention a couple of films which just missed the list – Ghulam and Dil Bole Hadippa. She had a brief role in Ghulam, while Dil Bole Hadippa exclusively belongs to her. In fact she earned the title of Khandala Girl after the song went rage across the nation.
Watch this space to read some more articles of Rani Mukerji – one of the brilliant actresses of present generation Bollywood
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