As Rani Mukerji readies to face fans once again, she says husband Aditya Chopra told her not to change her life for their daughter Adira
Rani Mukerji
Rani Mukerji is happy, and it's showing. Despite the afternoon heat, her excitement is unbridled when we meet her at YashRaj Studios. And, as we chat, it's clear that it's all to do with her two-year-old daughter Adira. But, as she says, it was husband Aditya Chopra who has been reminding her that she is an actor first. That's why she agreed to do Hichki, her upcoming film, about Naina Mathur, a teacher suffering from Tourette Syndrome. As she gets ready to make yet another comeback, she is clear that what matters is how her audience reacts to her, not their view on what she wore at the airport. We expected nothing else.
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A still from Hichki where Rani's Naina Mathur suffers from Tourette Syndrome
Excerpts from an interview.
What made you come back to the sets of a movie?
Nothing prepares you for what happens when you have a child. People can tell you all that they know, but till you have the baby in your arms, you don't have a clue. Once I had Adira, I became blinded, focused, obsessed - call it what you want. I realised then, that for a woman, it's very hard to leave a child and go to work. Instinctively, women choose to be with their child, as that's where they find eternal happiness. Whatever achievements or happiness I had before this, it pales in comparison. So, for me to be able to detach from her, (the role) had to be worth it.
What makes Hichki special?
It has the sort of character I dig. Naina Mathur [the character she plays] has Tourette Syndrome and not much is known about the condition in India. Children and teachers are unaware, and they don't know how to handle it. Love, attention and patience is needed. There is no cure, you have to control it with love. You have to give the person space and these children need to go to special schools have to be equipped to deal with such kids. If I get to play Naina, through my character I can tell India, 'this is what it is, don't shy away from it, work on it. Don't see it as a shortcoming, make it your advantage'. Naina's character is based on Brad Cohen, an American motivational speaker and teacher who suffers from the condition. He wrote a book called, Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had. And the movie speaks about the education system, which I hadn't even ever thought about before I had Adira.
What was the prep that you put in?
I had repeated Skype calls with Brad. I needed to understand his life. I had to deal with my character's spirit, what's she like as a person, and so I needed to understand what he went through. And then I went through a lot of YouTube videos to see what kind of tics people have before I developed something for Naina. I couldn't copy, or perform, I had to invent something from within me.
What was Aditya's take on your return to back to work?
My husband saw that I was getting too consumed by Adira. He is a professional and understands who I am. He, consciously and constantly, kept reminding me that I needed to go back and do what I do best, that is act. That's me, that's my individuality. He kept telling me, 'Adira is going to be there with us forever, you can't change your life for her. Don't forget who you are'. I don't think this movie would have happened if not for him.
It's been a while since you were on set. Did you jump right in, or did it take time to settle in?
I kept telling the team, 'why did you choose me? I think I am now only good at changing nappies, I have forgotten acting'. The first day I left for work, I was howling in the car as I left Adira. I was going to do something I love, but my love for Adira was stronger. It's a tough role, and I want it to be natural, as I want people to forget it's Rani, and only see the character. I was plagued by anxiety and doubt. But then I entered the shoot zone, and it all just came to me. It was part of me. I belonged there.
You once told me that you can't be on social media, since a star needs some mystery. Do you still feel that same?
I think I will remain the person who said that. I have got married to someone who isn't open about his life. There will always be a part of me that believes that I don't need to let everyone in on my personal life. My fans want to see me on screen. Who I am is about the work I do. What I am doing beyond that shouldn't be anyone's business. If you don't give the audience what they want on screen, they can scrutinise you. But to be scrutinised for what you do in your daily life, and what you wear (twice), or your opinion on something, is unnecessary. My husband is never going to be comfortable with me sharing his pictures on social media, and I am complete with my husband. What drives me is that people will watch the movie, and they will offer their verdict. That's my high. It's not about what I wear, because that's not my job. My job is to act.
What's happens at home when the three of you get together?
If I have work, I come to the office and talk to Aditya like a professional, rather than bring it home. Adi gets a few moments with us, and when we are together, we like to indulge Adira, and talk about the house and stuff like that. These days, we talk about schools, since she will start it soon. We are also talking about my birthday, which is two days before the movie releases. There is going to be lots to do!
Also Read: Rani Mukerji Releases New Song Oye Hichki From Her Upcoming Film At Her School
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