Not many actresses in Bollywood have built a legacy as strong as Rani Mukerji. Since the 1990’s, Mukerji has become a beloved Bollywood icon. Whether it’s blind educators, fierce lawyers or romantic lovers, Mukerji has portrayed several strong characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Black
Blindness is a disability that shaped my friend’s identity. I remember forming relationships with a brave girl in my school that suffered from vision impairment which proved to be cruel. Born without clear eyesight, she was a bright girl that was determined to overcome her disability’s plight. She was determined to overcome her vision impairment disability. Despite her inability to see, she was determined to leave behind a lasting legacy. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the struggles faced by blind women that seek black darkness as powerfully as “Black”. Released in 2005, Rani Mukerji’s best movie captured the life of a blind women facing adversity. In the greatest role of her career, Mukerji portrayed a blind woman seeking to overcome a disability that’s a burden to bear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Mukerji has spent most of her career playing bold women in Bollywood romantic movies. With “Black”, however, the actor took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a blind woman that feels alone. Working alongside Amitabh Bachchan who is also amazing, Mukerji created a portrait of blindness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Michelle becomes aware that she suffers from blindness causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Black” Rani Mukerji’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about blind women, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of India to appreciate it. A breathtaking portrait of women that are blind, it’s a brilliant reminder about a commemorated actress that has always left a strong legacy behind.
2. Hum Tum
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. However, immigration brought our bonds to a closure. When my family moved to Canada, I faced the dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. As someone treasuring memories of a childhood crush with wisdom, I appreciated “Hum Tum”. Released in 2004, Rani Mukerji’s romantic comedy captured lovers reuniting over several years. In the most romantic role of her career, Mukerji portrayed an ambitious woman that experiences a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional woman under stress. Working alongside Saif Ali Khan who is also amazing, Mukerji created a Bollywood romance that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Rhea first meets Karan beginning their lifelong romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Hum Tum” a classic is its message. The film delivers a message about fate which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of fate causing bonds between lovers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that audiences in India commonly appreciate.
3. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
It’s challenging to face the end of a marriage. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt in a broken marriage. She engaged in a heated argument with her husband that left my family devastated. Following the separation, it was tough for my aunt to move on. As someone treasuring memories of a marriage that ended in trauma, I appreciated “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”. Released in 2006, Rani Mukerji’s movie depicted marriages in India ending in tragedy. In the most tragic role of her career, the actress portrayed a woman that engages in a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Shah Rukh Khan who is also amazing, Mukerji created a romantic drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Maya confesses the truth to Rishi making him aware that she is having an affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a message about marriages that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a marriage, it’s a bold reminder about an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to engage making movies with meaningful message.
4. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
College is a time in life that shaped my identity. I recall fond memories of falling in love with classmates in a school that shaped my identity. A formative time period in my life, college shaped my personality. As someone that witnessed college that changed my life in a drastic way, I adored “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. Released in 1998, Rani Mukerji’s movie captured lovers in colleges facing adversity. In the most glamorous role of her career, Mukerji portrayed a college student that experiences a doomed romantic affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Kajol who is also amazing, Mukerji created a college romance that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Tina first meets Rahul in college beginning their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood romantic movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message that would resonate with anyone that cherishes childhood crushes they formed at an early age. A captivating portrait of childhood crushes that over time begin deteriorating, its a breathtaking reminder of a legendary actress whose celebrated movies are worth absolutely appreciating.
5. Veer-Zaara
Partition in Pakistan’s history shaped my father identity. I remember a father that would tell my family stories about partition in history. He would often seek to educate my family about a dark time in history that caused lives to deteriorate. As someone recalling fond memories of a grandpa that told stories about partition, I loved “Veer-Zaara”. Released in 2004, Rani Mukerji’s movie did an exceptional job of capturing partition in Indian history. In the most authoritative role of her career, Mukerji portrayed a fierce lawyer seeking to defend a man accused of crimes he didn’t commit causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women driven to achieve a goal. Working alongside Shah Rukh Khan who is also amazing, Mukerji created a partition drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Saamiya becomes aware that Veer is innocent of the crimes he has been accused of causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ carer. Ultimately, what makes “Veer-Zaara” a masterpiece is its appeal. appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with history to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of partition shaping India, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with undeniable charisma.
6. Bunty Aur Babli
Rani Mukerji has often excelled at playing emotional women facing adversity. Mukerji has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional women facing damage. Mukerji’s strength for playing emotional women that face tragedy is clearly evident in her movie “Bunty Aur Babli”. Released in 2005, Shaad Ali’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most emotional role of her career, the actress portrayed a thief committing despicable crimes causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase comedic timing she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Abhishek Bachchan who is also amazing, Mukerji created a comedy that’s engaging. A captivating portrait of hardships con-artists face, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actress whose movies audiences commonly embrace.
7. Hichki
Teachers are inspiring figures that shaped my identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a therapist that delivered an inspiring message. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher I adore dearly, I loved “Hitchki”. Released in 2018, Rani Mukerji’s movie depicted disabled teachers shaped students’ identity. In the most inspirational role of her career, Mukerji portrayed a woman with Tourette’s syndrome that becomes a teacher in a school facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress rare chances to step out of her comfort zone by playing a disabled character. Working alongside Harsh Mayar who is also amazing, Mukerji created a disability drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of teachers that play a pivotal role, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that unquestionably deserves to be celebrated today.
8. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Social class often causes families living in India to face a dilemma. India has built an image of being a country that follows strict social disparity. The role that social class plays in India causing families to face a problem is beautifully depicted in the film “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. Released in 2001, Rani Mukerji’s movie captured families affected by social disparity in India. In the most supportive role of her career, Mukerji portrayed a woman facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Amitabh Bachchan who is also amazing, Mukerji created a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. A phenomenal portrait of social class barriers causing disaster, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress whose movies audiences commonly treasure.
9. Saathiya
Over the past decade, the romantic genre in Bollywood has declined in quality. With their nonsensical stories, poor acting and forgettable music, most romance movies in Bollywood are a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost popularity in India, it’s worth praising “Saathiya”. Released in 2002, Rani Mukerji’s movie offered a revival of the romance genre. In the most sweet-natured role of her career, Mukerji portrayed a woman that engages in a doomed love affair with a man causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional woman under stress. Working alongside Vivek Oberoi who is also amazing, Mukerji created a romantic drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of forces causing romantic relationships to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress audiences consider special.
10. Saawariya
Rani Mukerji hasn’t always made great movies audiences love dearly. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Saawariya” falls into the latter category. Released in 2007, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a provocative prostitute that experiences despair. Mukerji brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a disastrous movie. Although “Saawariya” is a bad movie, it honoured Mukerji’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Ranbir’s love for Gulabji, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary Bollywood actress that has built a lasting legacy making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into foreseeable reality.
The Film Buff 