Post by Runa on Oct 12, 2007 10:37:09 GMT -5
Queen of hearts
The Rani Mukherjee wave continues to gather adoring fans and filmmakers as the darling of the silver screen is all set to conquer yet another peak with Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, which opens today
She is the personification of the pint-size powerhouse. From the time Rani Mukherjee naughtily nibbled on Aamir Khan’s ear in “Ghulam” and sweeping Shah Rukh Khan and the nation off their collective feet in “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ” to her recent all grown up avatar as the scarlet woman in Karan Johar’s paean to adultery “Kabhie Alvida na Kehna”, she has been the cynosure of all eyes.
And now excitement has reached fever pitch with Pradeep Sarkar’s “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” where she plays Badki/Natasha. Sounding tired, Rani gamely says:“The film as you know is the journey of a woman from Benares to Mumbai. It is the story of a family and an incident, which causes my character to make certain choices. The basic premise of the film is the pressures a girl in India goes through if she is the first born. There is the constant angst to prove to herself, the family and society that she can be the son.”
It is this angst that drives the character to take up the world’s oldest profession but Rani does not fear censure from the ever vigilant moral police. “I don’t think there would be any controversy. I believe it is a job like any other and I don’t think there is any harm in it. One should not look down on any job. It is not as if sex workers are killing or stealing. They are not a threat to national security!”
Rani, however, is categorical in her denouncement of human trafficking. “That is definitely wrong as women are exploited and forced into it. This film is about a woman’s strength and the choices she makes. And finally, as an actor, I like to do different roles and this is one more.”
Rani, who will turn 30 in March, is quick to clarify that “Laaga” is not another tale of a fallen woman. “That is one part of the film. At the core the film is the emotional bonding between sisters and familial relationships.”
Talking about bonding, ask Rani about the experience of working with Konkona Sen Sharma, who plays her sister in the film, and she laughs saying: “It was wonderful working with Konkona. You know we Bongs don’t really need a reason to bond.”
Rani’s association with the Yash Raj banner goes back to 2001’s “Mujhse Dosti Karoge”.
Rani insists however that “Laaga…” is as much “a Pradeep Sarkar film as it is a Yash Raj film. There is a similar comfort level as I have done so many ads for Pradeep da. It was Pradeep da’s decision that I do the role and when I heard my role, I readily agreed.”
Rani’s most memorable moment on the sets was on the very first day itself. “Konkona was playing with a wooden rattle which flew from her hand and hit my nose. It was really painful and I will never forget it as I sacrificed blood on the first day itself!”
If clothes maketh the star then couturier Sabyasachi can claim credit for Rani’s scintillating look.
“I work well with Sabya. He understands me as an actor and gives me the right look.” For “Laaga…” Rani has two looks — “the short kurti and Patiala salwars for the Benares part of the story and the signature red lipstick look for later. Sabya actually convinced me for the deep red lipstick and I am sure it will become very popular.”
After “Laaga” Rani has a “small, special role in ‘Saawariya’ and then there is Kunal Kohli’s next film.”
Open to Hollywood offers, Rani, who could not make it for Mira Nair’s “The Namesake” due to date problems, says: “As an actor I will do an exciting role in whichever country. But I will not work in a Hollywood production just for the sake of working in the West. The role has to interest me.”
In her ten years (12 she is quick to correct me) in tinsel town, she has essayed every kind of role from the traditional to the trendy, from the mum of two to the footloose and fancy free singleton.
So is there any role she is yet to do? “Maybe I should play a man!” she signs off with a throaty laugh.
Link
The Rani Mukherjee wave continues to gather adoring fans and filmmakers as the darling of the silver screen is all set to conquer yet another peak with Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, which opens today
She is the personification of the pint-size powerhouse. From the time Rani Mukherjee naughtily nibbled on Aamir Khan’s ear in “Ghulam” and sweeping Shah Rukh Khan and the nation off their collective feet in “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ” to her recent all grown up avatar as the scarlet woman in Karan Johar’s paean to adultery “Kabhie Alvida na Kehna”, she has been the cynosure of all eyes.
And now excitement has reached fever pitch with Pradeep Sarkar’s “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” where she plays Badki/Natasha. Sounding tired, Rani gamely says:“The film as you know is the journey of a woman from Benares to Mumbai. It is the story of a family and an incident, which causes my character to make certain choices. The basic premise of the film is the pressures a girl in India goes through if she is the first born. There is the constant angst to prove to herself, the family and society that she can be the son.”
It is this angst that drives the character to take up the world’s oldest profession but Rani does not fear censure from the ever vigilant moral police. “I don’t think there would be any controversy. I believe it is a job like any other and I don’t think there is any harm in it. One should not look down on any job. It is not as if sex workers are killing or stealing. They are not a threat to national security!”
Rani, however, is categorical in her denouncement of human trafficking. “That is definitely wrong as women are exploited and forced into it. This film is about a woman’s strength and the choices she makes. And finally, as an actor, I like to do different roles and this is one more.”
Rani, who will turn 30 in March, is quick to clarify that “Laaga” is not another tale of a fallen woman. “That is one part of the film. At the core the film is the emotional bonding between sisters and familial relationships.”
Talking about bonding, ask Rani about the experience of working with Konkona Sen Sharma, who plays her sister in the film, and she laughs saying: “It was wonderful working with Konkona. You know we Bongs don’t really need a reason to bond.”
Rani’s association with the Yash Raj banner goes back to 2001’s “Mujhse Dosti Karoge”.
Rani insists however that “Laaga…” is as much “a Pradeep Sarkar film as it is a Yash Raj film. There is a similar comfort level as I have done so many ads for Pradeep da. It was Pradeep da’s decision that I do the role and when I heard my role, I readily agreed.”
Rani’s most memorable moment on the sets was on the very first day itself. “Konkona was playing with a wooden rattle which flew from her hand and hit my nose. It was really painful and I will never forget it as I sacrificed blood on the first day itself!”
If clothes maketh the star then couturier Sabyasachi can claim credit for Rani’s scintillating look.
“I work well with Sabya. He understands me as an actor and gives me the right look.” For “Laaga…” Rani has two looks — “the short kurti and Patiala salwars for the Benares part of the story and the signature red lipstick look for later. Sabya actually convinced me for the deep red lipstick and I am sure it will become very popular.”
After “Laaga” Rani has a “small, special role in ‘Saawariya’ and then there is Kunal Kohli’s next film.”
Open to Hollywood offers, Rani, who could not make it for Mira Nair’s “The Namesake” due to date problems, says: “As an actor I will do an exciting role in whichever country. But I will not work in a Hollywood production just for the sake of working in the West. The role has to interest me.”
In her ten years (12 she is quick to correct me) in tinsel town, she has essayed every kind of role from the traditional to the trendy, from the mum of two to the footloose and fancy free singleton.
So is there any role she is yet to do? “Maybe I should play a man!” she signs off with a throaty laugh.
Link
