Rani reigns again

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mujhse Dosti Karogi</span>? Uh! Ahem!... Now how does one say that to a Rani? A queen of what she surveys? Rani Mukherjee''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</span> imagery sticks to the mind like inkspots on white flannel. The proud (though pert) nose in the air as she sashays into the frame in her ''intro'' sequence.It''s an image that stays. It stayed with me. Even though I''ve known the pretty actress for a while now. Our Bengali bonding notwithstanding, I was still reluctant to say the words to the actress with oomph.<br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mujhse Dosti Karogi</span>? It took the release of her latest film, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mujhse Dosti Karoge</span>, the happenstance of ''Friendship Day'' around the same time and the gush of raves for her performance as a plain Jane in the Hrithik, Kareina co-starrer, that made me feel even more proudly for the Bengali bombshell. And it was over hot cuppa chais that I proposed the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">dosti</span> interview. <br />What''s your role in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mujhse Dosti Karoge</span>? Rani Mukherjee: “It is about characters who are very real, who audiences can easily identify with. In life you come across two kinds of women...some who are extroverts and others who are introverts. I play the role of the latter, a girl who is composed and reserved. She doesn''t really exhibit her feelings explicitly, but prefers to express it in subtle ways through her eyes and expressions.� <br />So how different is this from your role in any love-story? Rani: “In my other films I''ve played this bubbly, vivacious and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">bindaas</span> woman. Here I''m this pretty, soft and sober girl who is very close to her family and strongly believes in Indian values and culture.� <br />Your last movie as a lead actress was <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Nayak</span>. Why was there a gap of over eight months between two releases? Are you being very choosy about your roles? Rani: “Yes, I''ve been particular about the projects that I''m signing up and I''ve consciously cut down on the quantity of films. I want to concentrate on quality work. My fans keep telling me to do that and I''m just listening to them. Looks like this year my fan club will be really happy with me.�<br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Ghulam</span> was the last big hit that you can boast of. <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chori Chori Chupke Chupke</span> had Preity in the lead with you, and of course the multi-starrer <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">K3G</span> you just had a special appearance. So are these ''multi-starrers movies'' by choice or by chance? Rani: “Maybe because I myself am a star, filmmakers want another star in the multi-starrers. Or they think I''m talented enough and I suit the role.� <br />How was it working with Kareina? Rani: “She''s one of the most lovely human beings I''ve ever met and it''s great to work with someone like her. On the sets of ''MDK'' Hrithik, Bebo and I hit it off like a house on fire. Just like the name suggests, ''Mujhse Dosti Karoge'' we all became buddies on the sets and had a ball of a time.�<br />You''ve worked with Kajol in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</span> and now you''re working with her hubby Ajay Devgan. Do you think it is easier working with family? Rani: “I think it is easier working with friends. It is good to work with people who are comfortable with you and who you are comfortable with. The fact is that we spend so much time with the cast and crew of a film that it''s important to share a good rapport with them. I''ve worked with superstars like Aamir and Shah Rukh and the best thing about big stars is that they make you feel so comfortable. And because they are super-stars they are so amicable, helpful and have no hang-ups. Today, if I work with a newcomer I would want to be as approachable and make the ambiance easy for that person to work. It is always good to work with senior stars.�<br />Aren''t you getting impatient with the uncertainty that''s hounding <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chori-Chori</span>? Rani: “It is indeed very unfortunate that the producer of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chori-Chori</span> expired. So there are certain hitches regarding the release of the film. It''s basically that the producer had problems with some of his previous films, and these have been offloaded on to <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chori-Chori</span>. I''ve been keenly looking forward to the release of this film. It''s a lovely film where I''ve attempted comedy and many who have seen the movie have been quite impressed by it. I really pray and hope this film sees the light of the day. There''s also ''Saathiyan'' with Vivek Oberoi opposite me and this one again is a real movie with believable characters.� <br />Have you deliberately refrained from doing any movies with Chi Chi to shun all rumours? Rani:“Recently there have been no projects with Chi-Chi that have interested me enough. If there''s a script that excites me I will definitely go ahead with it. There''s another movie with Chi-Chi that''s yet to be released called ''Chalo Ishq Ladaye'', but unfortunately the producer of this one also expired.� <br />There were some rumours doing the rounds that you''re soon planning to tie the knot and settle down? Rani: “Marriage!! It''s not on the cards for at least four years now. After that let''s wait and see what happens.�</div> </div>