Mumbai’s iconic actress Rani Mukerji is celebrating three decades in Bollywood, a journey marked by collaborations with the industry’s biggest names. Among her standout roles, her work alongside Amitabh Bachchan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Black’ remains a pinnacle of her career.
Reflecting on this milestone, Rani shared intimate insights during a conversation with Karan Johar. She described sharing the screen with the legendary Big B as a career-defining moment. ‘Watching Amitabh Bachchan embody Debraj Sahai every day on set was like attending the ultimate acting masterclass,’ she enthused. ‘Here was a master artist imparting lessons on the craft with effortless brilliance.’
‘Black’ holds a special, almost spiritual place in Rani’s heart. The film, which portrays the profound bond between a deaf-blind girl and her teacher, demanded total immersion. Rani revealed that viewing the final cut with Bachchan was an emotional crescendo. ‘We hugged and wept uncontrollably,’ she recalled, ‘completely lost in our characters.’
Preparation for the role was grueling yet transformative. Rani dedicated six months to mastering sign language and spent time with mute and hearing-impaired individuals to authentically capture their world. Bhansali’s direction elevated the experience, creating an on-set atmosphere where every artist strived for excellence daily.
‘Bhansali has this rare gift of crafting new worlds and sculpting performers,’ Rani praised. As she looks back on hits and misses over 30 years, ‘Black’ stands as a testament to her evolution, inspiring a new generation of actors to push boundaries.