Mumbai’s spotlight has once again turned to Rani Mukerji, Bollywood’s fearless ‘Mardani,’ as she celebrates three decades in the industry. Debuting with ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat’ in 1997, Rani carved a niche despite early hurdles, particularly her distinctive husky voice that drew rejections from filmmakers.
In a candid chat with Karan Johar marking her milestone, Rani opened up about the voice that nearly derailed her career. She expressed deep gratitude to Johar for backing her natural timbre when others wouldn’t. ‘Karan gave me the confidence to embrace it,’ she shared, crediting him for shaping her signature sound in future hits.
Diving into nostalgia, Rani recounted a pivotal moment from ‘Ghulam’ (1998), her high-stakes pairing with Aamir Khan. As a newcomer opposite a superstar, she had little say when her voice was dubbed. ‘It hurt deeply, but Aamir was the biggest star then,’ she admitted. Director Vikram Bhatt later revealed the decision was a collective call by Bhatt, producer Mukesh Bhatt, and Aamir.
Aamir justified it by emphasizing sacrifices for the film’s greater good. Citing Sridevi’s dubbed films without career setbacks, he urged Rani to see it as part of the game. Yet, it was Johar’s unwavering faith as a debut producer that changed everything. ‘He trusted my voice under pressure, making it my trademark,’ Rani reflected.
Today, that husky voice defines Rani’s powerhouse roles in films like ‘Mardaani.’ Her journey from rejections to icon status underscores resilience in Bollywood’s cutthroat world. As she toasts 30 years, fans celebrate the voice that roared back stronger.