Bollywood veteran Rani Mukerji marked a significant milestone in her career this week, celebrating 30 years in Indian cinema with a candid reflection on her journey and evolving relationship with the film industry. The actress, whose career spans from Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat to her upcoming release Mardaani 3, shared an extensive note about her experiences, priorities and what has sustained her passion over three decades.

Rani Mukerji says she doesn’t “count box-office numbers or awards first” in a heartfelt note on completing 30 years in cinema

In a post shared via Yash Raj Films’ official social media, Rani described her start in films as unplanned and rooted in curiosity rather than ambition. “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, explaining that she was drawn to the craft by instinct and vulnerability.

Rani underscored that cinema has a unique capacity to “freeze emotions,” and that she still feels like the nervous young woman who once worried about remembering lines and fitting into the world of film. Her debut taught her early lessons about responsibility in storytelling, shaping her belief that the medium is about depth and impact, not just glamour.

Reflecting on her roles over the years, Rani said she measures her journey by moments that resonated with her as an artist rather than by commercial metrics or accolades. “I don’t count box-office numbers or awards first. I count moments — standing under rain for a shot, laughing between takes, crying after a difficult scene…” she explained, emphasising that these experiences connect more deeply with her than external recognition.

This perspective is particularly meaningful given Rani’s body of work, which includes roles that pushed boundaries and centred on strong women. From the emotional intensity of films like Black to characters confronting systemic challenges in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, she said her choices have always been guided by honest engagement with a character’s truth.

Motherhood has also shaped her craft in profound ways. Rani noted that playing a mother in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway — a film that won her first National Award after three decades in cinema — deepened her understanding of both life and performance. She described the award as a humble validation of her path and credited it to a “universe” that seems to guide her creative evolution.

As she celebrates three decades in film with Mardaani 3 — part of India’s only female-led cop franchise — Rani called the timing meaningful, suggesting it symbolizes her ongoing journey as a storyteller and a student of her craft. “As long as there are stories to tell and emotions to explore, I will remain a student of this beautiful, demanding art,” she wrote, reiterating her commitment to growth and exploration.

Rani concluded her note with gratitude for her audiences, collaborators and mentors, acknowledging that her career has been a collaborative journey. “To my fans and audiences who have always rooted for me… I bow down with respect and love. I would not have been here without you,” she said.

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