Rani Mukerji on working in Hey Ram: 'Because of Kamal Haasan, I could do Black confidently without makeup'

Rani Mukerji marks 30 years in film, recalling how Kamal Haasan taught her self-acceptance and authenticity on Hey Ram lessons that fuelled her bold, makeup-free roles like Black.

Kamal Haasan and Rani Mukerji in Hey Ram

In honour of her momentous 30-year stint in Bollywood, Rani Mukerji has reflected on the formative experiences that have influenced her career. The actor discussed how her time spent working with Kamal Haasan on the period drama Hey Ram in 2000 changed her perspective on acting and self-acceptance in an interview with Galatta Plus.

What were the unexpected turn of Rani Mukerji's acting career?

The theatrical release of Mardaani 3 celebrated her three decades in the film industry. When asked about her early career, Mukerji reflected on how she had no "grand plan" but was pushed into the industry by her mother. However, her career took a positive turn when Haasan cast her as Aparna in his directorial venture.

When asked why a budding mainstream star would accept a non-central and tragic role in a complicated film like Hey Ram Mukerji attributed the decision to her deep respect for the legendary actor-filmmaker. "For me, I think it was probably one of my turning points in my career as an actor because just to be in the same frame as Mr Kamal Haasan, I think it was a huge honour and privilege for an actor like me," said the actor.

ALSO READ: Hey Ram turns 24 — Did you know Shah Rukh Khan's selfless gesture towards Kamal Haasan?

How did Kamal Haasan’s filmography influence her perspective?

The experience, according to Mukerji, changed her "absolute understanding of what an actor should be." She had always admired Haasan's acting in films like Sadma and Apoorva Sagodharargal (Appu Raja).

On her first day on set, the actor arrived wearing a lot of makeup, and she told a story about it. At the first sign of insincerity, Haasan sent her rushing back to her vanity. "I had probably done makeup and come on set, and then he said, 'I don’t need so much makeup; go and wash your face and come,'" recalled Mukerji.

What did Rani Mukerji learn about authenticity from Kamal Haasan?

Haasan demanded absolute authenticity after she tried to just reduce the makeup. His words were paraphrased by Mukerji as "Yeah, yeah, I need you to wash your face exactly how it would be when you pack up." The actor asserts that upon her return without makeup, Haasan granted her permission to experiment with her appearance, instructing the makeup artist to apply a minimal amount of kajal to her eyes. "I realised that you don't need it sometimes; in certain films you don't need makeup because the cameraman, he lights you up, and the lens is such," she added.

The lessons extended beyond aesthetics to physical presentation. Despite her diminutive stature, Mukerji flaunted her four-inch rubber platform slippers to give the impression that she was standing taller next to her co-stars. According to Haasan, the shoes were "amusing", and he demanded that she take them off.

How did Kamal Haasan help Rani Mukerji achieve a psychological breakthrough regarding her height?

"He says, 'Why? You have to be tall with your performance, not with your height. So remove it.' I said, 'Are you sure, Kamal?' He said, 'Yeah, just remove them and wear flats,' Mukerji said. She noted that this moment was a major psychological breakthrough: "He actually taught me how to accept yourself the way you are, you know, and that was a big lesson for me."

In the same interview, Mukerji said that the skills she learned in her early days gave her the confidence to play challenging, unglamorous roles later in her career, such as Michelle McNally in Black directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. "Because of him, I could power on and do a film like Black confidently without makeup," explained the actor.

What is Rani Mukerji's vision for her future in the industry?

After three decades in the business, Mukerji is still very much a "student of cinema" and is currently focused on the success of Mardaani 3. She has a long list of films to her credit, but she recently admitted that she is always up for a new challenge. She mentioned wanting to star in a horror film, a genre she has never worked in before.

Rani Mukerji FAQs:

Q: How many years has Rani Mukerji been in the film industry?

a: Rani Mukerji recently celebrated a landmark 30 years in the Indian film industry. Her journey began with the Bengali film Biyer Phool (1996), followed by her Hindi debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in 1997. She is marking this three-decade anniversary with the 2026 release of Mardaani 3.

Q: Is there a Mardaani 3 coming out?

A: Yes, Mardaani 3 was released theatrically on January 30, 2026. The film features Rani Mukerji reprising her role as supercop Shivani Shivaji Roy and serves as a celebration of her 30th year in cinema.

Q: Has Rani Mukerji ever done a horror movie?

A: As of her 30th year in the industry, Rani Mukerji has not yet led a horror film. In a recent interview with Baradwaj Rangan, she expressed that despite her extensive filmography, horror is a genre she is still eager to explore.

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