Actress Rani Mukerji has shared a heartfelt note after winning her first-ever National Film Award for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. The film, which touched hearts across the country, brought her long-overdue recognition at the 71st National Film Awards.
A Major Milestone in Her Career
Rani expressed deep gratitude for receiving this prestigious honour after three decades in the film industry. She said: “I’m overwhelmed to have won the National Award for my performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Incidentally, this is the first ever National Award in my 30-year career.”
Looking back at her journey, she mentioned that she has been lucky to have worked in many memorable films and received endless love from the audience. “As an actor, I have been fortunate to have some incredible films in my body of work and have got so much love for them.”
A Team Effort
Rani credited her team for the success of the film. She thanked the National Award jury for recognising her work and acknowledged the people who brought the powerful story to life: “I thank the National Award jury for honouring my work in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. I share this moment with the entire team of the film my producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha and Madhu, my director Ashima Chibber, and everyone who worked on this truly special project that celebrated the resilience of motherhood.”
A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere
Rani went on to dedicate her award to mothers around the world, calling their love the most powerful force on Earth. “I dedicate my National Award to all the incredible mothers of this world. There is nothing like a mother’s love and her ferocity to protect her own.”
She revealed how Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway had a personal impact on her, especially after becoming a mother herself. “The story of this Indian immigrant mother who went all out for her child and took on a nation shook me deeply… a mother’s love for her child is unconditional… I realised this when I had my own. So, this win, this film feels deeply emotional and personal.”
A Personal Validation
For Rani, the National Award isn’t just a win for one performance it’s a validation of her 30-year-long commitment to acting and cinema: “For me, this award is also a validation of my 30-year body of work, my dedication to my craft with which I feel a deeply spiritual connection and my passion for cinema and this beautiful film industry of ours.”
A Message to Her Fans
Rani also took the opportunity to thank her global fanbase who have stood by her through every phase of her career, “It also feels the apt time to again thank all my fans, from across the world, who have relentlessly supported me through thick and thin for these 30 years!”
She expressed that their love and encouragement gave her the strength to show up and perform, time and again, “Your unconditional love and support is everything that I have ever needed to stay motivated, to show up at work every day and to deliver performances that have entertained you.”
She ended her note by acknowledging their loyalty, “You’ve embraced every role, every character, every story I’ve had the good fortune to bring to life. So, without you I would be a nobody today.”
