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This Article is From Mar 21, 2012

Who is Rani Mukherji?

Who is Rani Mukherji?
New Delhi: Rani Mukherji is commonly acknowledged as Bollywood's queen of hearts.

Seen as Meera Gaity in No One Killed Jessica (her only release last year) Rani's big release this year is undoubtedly the thriller Talaash, with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

Aiyaa with Malayalam star Prithviraj is her other scheduled release this year. The actor has also done a voice-over for Koochie Koochie Hota Hai, an animated remake of the 1998 blockbuster, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

The popular actress has been a part of the Hindi film industry for nearly 15 years. She made her debut in Hindi films with Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997). Her first screen appearance though was five years ago - in a cameo for her father's Bengali film Biyer Phool (1992).

Rani Mukherji's parents - Ram and Krishna Mukherji - form part of the big Mukherji family in the Hindi film industry. Ram Mukherji is a former film director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios. Krishna Mukherji is a former playback singer. Her brother Raja Mukherji is a film producer turned director. Krishna Mukherji's sister is National Award winning Bengali actor Debashree Roy.

Rani Mukherji's other notable relatives in the Hindi film industry include cousins Kajol and Ayan Mukherji. While Kajol is ranked among India's top actors, Ayan Mukherji is the young director of the popular film, Wake Up Sid.

Though her debut film earned her Special Jury recognition at the Star Screen Awards that year, it earned lemons at the box-office. Ghulam, next year opposite Aamir Khan gave her a break with the song Aati Kya Khandala becoming a topper on hit lists. It remains associated with her to this day.

Years 2002 -2006 were the best for Rani Mukerji in films. Some of her hit films in those years are Saathiya, Chalte Chalte, Yuva, Hum Tum, Veer-Zaara, Black, Bunty Aur Babli and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. However, Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) with Aamir Khan wasn't the hit everyone thought it would be.

Post those years, Rani Mukherji featured primarily in films produced by Yash Raj Films. Many of her films like Ta Ra Rum Pum, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag under-performed at the box-office and many said her penchant for the Yash Raj banner cost her professionally.

Last year, No One Killed Jessica, produced by UTV Motion Pictures, somewhat revived her career.

Personally, Rani Mukherji has been linked for years to Aditya Chopra, the reclusive filmmaker son of Yash and Pamela Chopra. His divorce in 2009 heightened the rumours of their affair and an impending wedding with Rani. The actor is equally reclusive and guarded on her personal life. All that changed recently when she was photographed with Aditya Chopra and his parents in January 2012, returning from a vacation. There is no official confirmation , or denial, of their relationship.
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