Rani Mukerji experienced a whirlwind of emotions when she received the news of her first National Award for Best Actress. The honor, recognizing her performance in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', arrived while she was at a location deeply connected to her late father, Ram Mukerji.
According to Rani, the announcement came as she was performing a Griha Pravesh puja (housewarming ceremony) for her new office space. This office was situated in the very place where her father used to live, making the moment even more poignant. She felt his presence strongly and considered the award a blessing from him. Ram Mukerji, who passed away in 2017, had always dreamt of his daughter receiving a National Award. Rani has stated that she deeply misses him and believes the award is a result of his blessings and her mother's strength.
Rani's performance in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway' was particularly meaningful to her because she modeled the character of Devika on her own mother. She felt that both her parents blessed her with the National Award, making the achievement deeply personal and surreal.
Rani was not alone in celebrating this achievement. Shah Rukh Khan, a longtime friend and former co-star, also won a National Award the same year. This coincidence made the honor even more special for Rani. She expressed immense joy that they both won at the same time.
Rani also shared the heartwarming reaction of her daughter, Adira, to the news. Although Adira was not allowed to attend the National Award ceremony because children under 14 were not permitted, she expressed her disappointment. Rani revealed that Adira "was howling" because she couldn't be there to share the special day with her mother. To keep Adira close to her heart, Rani wore a necklace with her daughter's name on it during the ceremony, calling Adira her "lucky charm".
In addition to dedicating the award to her father, Rani expressed her gratitude to her fans, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout her 30-year career. She also thanked the director of 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', Ashima Chibber, and the producers and cast and crew of the film. She recognized the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated the dedication of the entire team.
Rani received ₹2 lakh in addition to the Silver Lotus medallion and certificate. The 71st National Film Awards took place on September 23, 2025, in New Delhi.
Rani Mukerji's journey to the National Award has been marked by both triumphs and disappointments. She recalled a time when there was anticipation that she would win a National Award for her performance in the 2005 film 'Black'. When that didn't happen, both her father and the film's director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, were heartbroken. However, she believes that things happen when they are meant to, and she is grateful for the love and support she has received from her fans throughout the years.
