Rani Mukerji says not winning National Award for Black broke her heart: ‘My baba was very heartbroken’

Rani Mukerji may be celebrating her first National Award today, but she still remembers the sting of disappointment when she lost out for Black (2005). “I gave my all in Black, and I was 25 at that time when I did that film. There was chatter that I would win, and when I didn’t, that’s when my blinkers came on. I realised even when you do your best work, things might not be in your favour,” she told India Today.

The actor revealed her late father’s emotions back then. “My baba was very heartbroken that I didn’t win that year. So was Sanjay (Leela Bhansali), the director of the film. But I guess when things are meant to happen, they happen. The way India and my fans cheered for me, it couldn’t have been better than that.”

A long-awaited honour

Two decades later, the 47-year-old finally bagged the award for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. For Mukerji, the win was both a motivation and a tribute. “The award means so much happiness for my fans, well-wishers, my friends and family who have wished this award in my life, because, as you know, I am winning this for the first time. I’ve actually been like a horse. My single-minded focus has always been to work hard and do the best of my craft — not to disappoint my audiences,” she said.

She also shared how special it felt to win alongside Shah Rukh Khan, whom she fondly referred to as the “eternal Rahul” of her life.

A moment with her father’s presence

The National Award win also brought an emotional connection with her late father. “The day I received the news of my National Award, I was in the room where he had passed. I finished the pooja and told my mother, who started howling because she also felt dad’s presence. It was just too beautiful a moment because dad was with me throughout the day, and it was as if he had made it happen,” Mukerji recalled.

Faith and gratitude

Looking back on her 30-year journey, Mukerji said she continues to hold on to faith and gratitude. “I’ve believed in faith and patience, and that is what I have always kept with me as a constant in my life. And whatever I get, I am very grateful and thankful for it. Whatever I don’t, I am very grateful and thankful for it.”