Rani Mukerji recently revisited a milestone in her illustrious career, reflecting on the unforgettable experience of winning her first National Film Award alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The ceremony, held in Delhi last year, became an iconic moment for fans as the two actors shared the stage for the first time in receiving the prestigious honour.
Speaking on the Spotlight Sessions podcast shared on Zoom’s YouTube channel, Rani recalled a now-viral clip where she helped Shah Rukh adjust his medal. She said that achieving such recognition alongside a longtime friend and industry peer added a deeply personal dimension to the accolade.
“I think all students here will understand… If you’ve been on a journey with your friends from a very young age, helping each other through life, then achieving something together on a platform like that becomes extra special,” Rani said.
She highlighted Shah Rukh’s influence on her career and personal growth, adding: “There’s so much that I imbibed and learned from Shah Rukh – as a professional, as a person, and as an actor. Winning it on that day felt even more special because he has been in the industry for 35 years and I’ve been for 30. With or without National Awards, we’ve never stopped wanting to do our best for our films.”
Rani’s award-winning performance in the 2023 legal drama Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, directed by Ashima Chibber, marked a historic first National Film Award for her. The film is inspired by the real-life case of an Indian immigrant mother fighting for her children’s custody in Norway. She dedicated her win to mothers, saying: “A mother can move mountains for her children and also make the world a better place. This film tried to show that.”
Shah Rukh Khan, meanwhile, won Best Actor for his role in Atlee’s blockbuster Jawan, further cementing the significance of the shared moment for the two Bollywood veterans.
The duo is celebrated as one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved on-screen pairings, starring together in hits like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Chalte Chalte, Paheli, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Veer-Zaara, while also maintaining a close off-screen friendship spanning decades.
Rani Mukerji is set to return with Mardaani 3, slated for release on January 30, continuing her enduring legacy as one of Bollywood’s most respected and versatile stars.
