Bollywood Star Rani Mukerji Reflects on Acting's Changing Landscape

Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, who belongs to a star-studded family, believes that the acting profession has become a more viable career option for youngsters in recent years. Rani, who won her first National Award this year for her performance in the film 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', says that when she began her journey, her father was not keen on her becoming an actor as it was not "very normal" for children of film families to take up acting, especially girls.

However, Rani's mother was more open to her pursuing the acting profession. The actress humorously recalled her mother's initial reaction to her first screen test, with her mother telling the producer that he would "ruin his film" by casting Rani. But the producer was determined to sign her, and Rani went on to make her debut in 1996 with the films 'Biyer Phool' and 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat'.

Now, after two decades in the industry, Rani is glad that people's perception of the acting profession has changed. She says that the atmosphere is different today, and more young people, both from within and outside the industry, are motivated to become actors. The actress believes that the persona of actors has also evolved, with the profession now seen as more "regular" and accessible, rather than being viewed as larger-than-life.