Rani Mukerji, one of Bollywood's most celebrated actresses, recently shared insights into her early life and career, revealing that her entry into the film industry was not initially driven by passion but by the need to support her family's finances. In a candid discussion, she also disclosed that her parents had considered marrying her off at a young age.

Mukerji, born into the Mukherjee-Samarth family with deep roots in the Indian film industry, never initially aspired to be an actress. Her father, Ram Mukherjee, was a former film director and one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios, and her mother, Krishna Mukherjee, was a former playback singer. Despite her family's background, Mukerji had different aspirations, initially considering a career as a lawyer or an interior designer. "There were already too many actresses at home, and I wanted to be someone different," she once said.

However, circumstances changed when her family faced financial difficulties. An opportunity arose when director Salim Khan offered her a lead role in his film, Aa Gale Lag Jaa in 1994, but her father disapproved of a full-time film career at such a young age, leading her to reject the offer. Later, at the age of 18, her mother suggested she try acting on an experimental basis. This led to her accepting roles in the social drama Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat and her father's Bengali film Biyer Phool, both released on the same day in October 1996. "Rani later realized that her family's financial situation was not very good at that time. By working she would help them improve their situation".

Mukerji's debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat saw her portray a rape victim forced to marry her rapist. Although the film didn't perform well commercially, her performance earned her a special recognition trophy at the Screen Awards. Despite the initial setback, she returned to college to complete her education.

Interestingly, Mukerji revealed that her mother, Krishna, wasn't entirely convinced of her acting abilities initially. After her first screen test for Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat, Krishna suggested to the producer, Salim Akhtar, that casting Rani would "ruin his film and go through losses" because she felt her daughter wasn't doing a good job. Despite her mother's reservations, the producer decided to proceed with casting her.

Looking back, Mukerji acknowledges the comfortable lifestyle her parents provided for her and her brother. She is now grateful for the opportunity to have entered the film industry, as she has discovered a deep love for acting.

Rani Mukerji has since established herself as a leading actress in Bollywood, with acclaimed performances in films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Tum, Veer-Zaara, Black, Mardaani and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Her journey is a testament to her resilience, talent, and the unexpected turns that life can take.