Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor has praised fellow actor Rani Mukerji’s three-decade legacy in Indian cinema, as the industry comes together to celebrate her remarkable career ahead of the release of “Mardaani 3.”
“It is really amazing to see the entire industry come forward to celebrate 30 years of her iconic legacy,” said Kapoor to Variety, who shared the screen with Mukerji in his 2007 debut “Saawariya.”
“I have always felt that Rani is one for the ages, one of the greatest ever actors in India and someone who has defined our industry through her work. Her choice of projects and roles have shaped how women are portrayed on the screen today,” as quoted by Variety.
In “Mardaani 3,” Mukerji reprises her role as police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy. The film addresses the kidnapping of girls aged 8-9 from low-income communities across India.
Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, the movie continues the franchise’s focus on crimes against women.
According to Variety, the Mardaani franchise began in 2014 with the original film, which explored human trafficking. Its 2019 sequel, “Mardaani 2,” dealt with a serial rapist challenging law enforcement. Mukerji’s most recent film, “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” (2023), was both a critical and commercial success.
“Rani is the co-star of my first film ‘Sawaariya’ and she is the first person who told me that if I worked hard, I would go a long way. I will never forget that interaction because it gave me so much confidence when I needed it the most,” Kapoor recalled.
He added, “I have seen her as a person closely, I have seen her work closely and have been bowled over by her grace, charm and brilliance.”
Kapoor added, “Thank you Rani for the movies, the memories, the nostalgia and the powerhouse performances. She is an entertainer who has dedicated her life to making people happy and I don’t have words to describe the impact her films have had on me.”
“Mardaani 3” is set to release on January 30.
