Bollywood Veteran Rani Mukerji Wins First National Film Award

Acclaimed Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji has achieved a significant milestone in her illustrious 30-year career, winning her first-ever National Film Award. The 46-year-old was conferred the Best Actress honor by President Droupadi Murmu at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday for her powerful performance in the 2023 film "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway."

Mukerji, who made her screen debut in 1996, has starred in numerous blockbuster Hindi films over the decades, including "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," "Ghulam," and "Mardaani." However, the National Award has eluded her until now, much to the disappointment of her late father, filmmaker Ram Mukerji, when she was overlooked for her acclaimed work in the 2005 film "Black."

Now, Mukerji is elated to have finally won the prestigious accolade and is determined to add more National Awards to her collection in the future. "I would like to see it as an eternity. It keeps going, I wouldn't like to say full stop because there's lots more to do, many National Awards to win. Maybe this is just the start," she said.

The actor's nine-year-old daughter, Adira, was eager to attend the award ceremony but was unable to do so due to protocol restrictions on children under 14. Mukerji revealed that Adira was "howling" with disappointment at not being able to witness her mother's special moment, but the actress found a way to include her by wearing a gold chain with Adira's name on it.