In an Exclusive Interview with DNA Online, Rani Mukerji spoke all things 'Mardaani 2', female cop universe and more...
It was last year when I met Rani Mukerji for the first time during the success interview of Hitchki. A fan moment and a professional high to meet an actor who completed two decades ruling the film industry. Before Hitchki, Rani was seen in a 2014 thrilling cop drama titled Mardaani in which she played the role of Shivani Shivaji Roy. Now, after five years she returns with the iconic role in the sequel Mardaani 2 which is just a day away from the release.
Ahead of the release, I met up with Rani and she instantly recognised me, again a fan moment, indeed! Her eyes twinkled when we spoke about Mardaani 2. She flashed her million-dollar smile while calling me a prediction expert for foreseeing Mardaani 2 in 2014. In a sweet tête-à-tête, Rani spoke about the villain in Mardaani 2, will she ever do a female cop universe? When will Rani star in a romantic comedy and more...
Read on...
1. Was it easy or difficult to get into the skin of your character Shivani Shivaji Roy after five years?
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I think for me, Shivani Shivaji Roy has a very special place in my heart when I did Mardaani also. It was a very, very special role and it kind of blended with my real personality as well. So it was not very tough. If you're asking me if it was easy, or it was difficult, it was natural I would say, let's put it like that.
2. You did an outdoor schedule after a very long time. So how was the whole experience of shooting in Kota?
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It was amazing to be very honest. I think before we went to Kota, the whole unit was very scared because they were like, 'Oh my god! May mahine mein ja rahe hai hum log, 50-degree hone wali hai. Itni garmi hone wali hai ke hum kya karenge, kaise shoot karenge?. We all were like worried and we were like, should we delay the film and go there in January or December? Or should we change our plan with the film? But then we said no, no, we have to make the film now.
Sab log ekdum josh mein aake haan thik hai, chalenge, karenge shooting, mazaa aayega. For me, Kota has been one of my most memorable shoots. The weather there despite being 50 degrees is very dry. So that suits makeup and hair as we don't sweat. We are born and brought up in Mumbai so 25 degrees also make us sweat. In Kota, the weather has been so beautiful and I like the heat as long as there's no sweating. During night also the weather is beautiful and very comfortable.
3. While watching the trailer, I got goosebumps and had tears. How emotional did you get while reading the script?
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I felt like doing the film. Of course, this is the harsh reality and that's the reason why Mardaani as a franchise is probably born. It's so relevant with the times that I think a film like this is made because it's made for the girls, for the women, to make them aware that this is the kind of crimes that are happening and we must be alert and aware about these things. The more we are alert and aware, the more we will protect ourselves and we can protect ourselves better.
I am very happy, proud, blessed to be a part of a film like Mardaani.
4. How did you prepare for action sequences for 'Mardaani 2'?
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For me, the action comes naturally. I think the inside power that I have in me, it comes naturally to me. So, I enjoy doing action sequences. It is an amalgamation of all of those feelings and emotions.
5. The face of the villain has not been revealed yet. Still, I want to ask how was it working with him?
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Working with him has been amazing! The antagonist is very, important. Without an antagonist, Shivani Shivaji Roy is very weak. So when we got the idea of doing Mardaani 2, the challenge was who's going to be playing the antagonist. Tahir (Raj Bhasin) did a wonderful job in the first Mardaani and he was brilliant. So I'm hoping that the boy gets as much love even more than what Tahir got. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and I hope that his career takes off from this film.
6. How was it working with Gopi Puthran?
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Amazing. Gopi was the writer of Mardaani, so normally, most of the writers nowadays come on sets. Gopi was one of the writers who used to come on Mardaani sets and he was always there. I think secretly, he was probably nurturing his dream of directing or, you know, trying to learn the ropes, I guess. I don't know, what he was doing and with what intention he kept coming. But, I got along with him well in Mardaani when he was coming as a writer. When he progressed and became a director with Mardaani 2, I was only but happy for him, because he's a great guy. We have a great working relationship because we are extremely honest with one another. We have a great I would say the direct act of friendship, chemistry where he respects me and I respect him. We respect each other's point of view, so, it was very easy for us to work with each other.
I always believe that there has to be a great relationship that you share with your director. When people say, 'Aapka iss actor ke saath chemistry bohot acha hai. Kaisi rahi aapki chemistry?' But actually, the question should be about 'how was your chemistry with the director?' When an actor whether it's a male and a female, it's very important to know what your chemistry with the director is. If that works, then the director can take great work from you.
7. It was a start-to-finish schedule. So how was the atmosphere on the last day of the shoot?
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It was good, but I think also the happiness of that now the film is over, eventually, this film can be watched by the audience. At the end of the day, we make a film for the audience's to watch just not for our pleasure to keep shooting. It was a happy feeling when we finished shooting the film.
8. While shooting for 'Mardaani', did you have any idea whether a sequel to the film should be made?
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Not at all. It's only due to people like you who are the actual fans of Mardaani. The fact that you had a feeling that Mardaani 2 should be made, there is where we got the energy and the universe came together which made us make Mardaani 2.
9. As a mother and a woman, what is your take on safety for women?
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I think awareness is the most important factor in protecting yourself. If you don't know, then you might get into situations like that. But if you're aware, you know you're already prepared. So then I don't think anybody can mess with you.
10. Female cop universe and Rani Mukerji in a rom-com
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Rohit Shetty is reuniting his three cop characters for a film. Will we see you bringing female cops of Bollywood together for a film?
Since you are predicting a lot of things which is turning out to be true. Probably this prediction also might come true. Who knows! We might be sitting five years down the line like this and you might say, 'See, I told you during that interview and now it's happening'.
When will we see Rani Mukerji in a romantic comedy film again?
Now, your this prediction also might come true. So, done! Point noted, my lord.
