Rani Mukerji Marks 30 Years in Cinema With Honesty, Courage and No Compromises

Three decades in cinema is more than a milestone—it is a lifetime of stories, emotions, risks and reinvention. As Rani Mukerji completes 30 years in the film industry, the actor looks back at a journey defined not by ambition or strategy, but by instinct, emotional honesty and an unwavering belief in the power of cinema.Marking the occasion, Yash Raj Films shared a heartfelt note from Mukerji, in which she reflected on how her relationship with cinema began almost by chance. “Thirty years ago, I stepped onto a film set with no grand plan of becoming an actress. It wasn’t a dream I chased—it was something that found me,” she wrote, describing herself as a hesitant young girl who slowly fell in love with the craft.

Even today, she admits that a part of her remains that nervous newcomer. “Somewhere inside me, I am still that nervous girl standing in front of the camera for the first time, hoping I belonged,” she noted, adding that curiosity, fear and a love for storytelling have remained her constant companions.

Learning Responsibility from the Very First Film

Rani Mukerji made her debut with Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat(1997), a film that, she says, shaped her understanding of cinema as responsibility rather than glamour. Playing a woman fighting for dignity early in her career left a lasting impression and quietly influenced the kind of roles she gravitated towards—women who challenge injustice, question systems and refuse to back down.

Reflecting on the late 1990s, Mukerji described the period as transformative. Those years helped her understand how deeply Hindi cinema is woven into people’s lives. “Audiences give you your destiny,” she wrote, crediting viewers for shaping her journey.

Finding Her Voice in the 2000s

The early 2000s marked a turning point in her career. Saathiya(2002) allowed her to explore flawed, impulsive and emotionally complex women on screen, while Hum Tum(2004) showcased her ability to blend humour with vulnerability.

One of the most defining experiences of her career came with Black(2005). Working with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Amitabh Bachchan, Mukerji described the film as demanding and transformative, teaching her the power of silence, discipline and listening as an actor.

Across films such as Bunty Aur Babli, No One Killed Jessica and later Hichki, Mukerji found herself consistently drawn to characters rooted in strength, resistance and purpose—women who didn’t rely on loud heroism but carried quiet resolve.

Mardaani and the Power of Quiet Strength

The Mardaani franchise holds a special place in Mukerji’s career. Through the character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, she explored a form of heroism built on restraint and resilience. “Mardaani is not about loud heroism; it is about quiet strength,” she wrote, adding that the franchise allowed her to tell uncomfortable yet necessary stories.

Mardaani has gone on to become India’s only successful female-led cop franchise and the longest-running female-led theatrical franchise in Hindi cinema.

Motherhood, Selective Choices and Emotional Truth

Marriage and motherhood, Mukerji said, did not slow her down but sharpened her focus. Becoming more selective about her work helped her align her choices with the legacy she wanted to build. Films like Hichki arrived at a time when vulnerability had deeper meaning for her, reinforcing the importance of empathy and representation in storytelling.

Her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway(2023) became another emotional milestone. Playing a mother fighting an overpowering system resonated across borders and earned her a National Award. Mukerji described the moment as symbolic, believing the universe waited for her to experience motherhood before gifting her the honour. “I bowed to the universe and accepted the award with humility,” she said.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

Mukerji considers it especially meaningful that Mardaani 3 will mark her 30th year in cinema. “To have a threequel from the franchise I have built release in my 30th year feels like a sign,” she wrote. “Maybe the universe is telling me to keep moving forward, keep doing good work, and keep celebrating unsung heroes through my craft.”

Mardaani 3, directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, is slated to release on January 30. The film continues the franchise’s legacy of gripping, issue-driven storytelling.Concluding her note with gratitude, Rani Mukerji thanked her collaborators and audiences for standing by her through the years. For her, longevity isn’t about relevance or numbers, but honesty—trusting instincts even when they go against trends.

“As long as there are stories to tell and emotions to explore, I will remain a student of this beautiful, demanding art,” she wrote—still that nervous girl, still in love with cinema, three decades on.