Actor Rani Mukerji says her roles reflect her belief in how women should be perceived
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 3, 2019)

Right from Shashi in Yuva and Saamiya in Veer-Zaara (both 2004), to Naina Mathur in Hichki (2018), Rani Mukerji has always made sure that she plays powerful female protagonists in her films. Shivani Shivaji Roy, her cop act in Mardaani (2014), was also plotted on similar lines.

What makes Rani zero in on such brilliant characters all the time? “I have always looked to celebrate the strength of women through my films, whenever I got the opportunity,” she says, “No One Killed Jessica (2011), Black, Mardaani, Hichki, etc. are some of the favourite films of my career as they resonated with who I’m as a person in real life and my belief in how a woman should always be perceived. For me, a woman is a pillar of strength for her family, community, husband, child, and I do feel we don’t celebrate women enough.”

The actor is all set to reprise the role of the fearless and committed superintendent of police, Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 2, which is a sequel to the hugely acclaimed Mardaani, in which she took on the kingpin of a child trafficking racket. In the second part, Rani has been pitted against a young, yet dangerous villain, who can be called pure evil.

Opening up on why she thinks her character in Mardaani became so popular with masses, she says, “Mardaani 2, which releases on December 13, is another attempt to showcase what a fearless, self-made, self-believing woman can do despite being pitted against all odds. Shivani is someone who will never back down in the face of injustice, and I’m glad people have showered her with so much love and appreciation. She is one of my most favourite characters because she lives life her way and isn’t cowed down by judgements and stereotyping. A boss in a man’s world, she ensures her work speaks the loudest. She is the quintessential spirit of a woman and maybe that’s why this character resonates with so many people.”

What the versatile actor is thrilled with is the current, new generation of actors, who are choosing to pick scripts with female protagonists. “I can see the tides changing, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am as a woman and as an artiste. I have silently tried to do my best to bring out powerful women on screen and impact the psyche of people through their life. I get so happy when I see the young actors choosing to do women-centric films that give out the correct message about women to society,” says Rani.