Happy Birthday Rani Mukherjee!

Today BollyCurry gathers its readers to celebrate the birthday of an actress who has stolen the hearts of millions around the world with her impressive portfolio of work and pleasant persona - the one and only hazel eyed beauty, Rani Mukherjee!

Mukherjee was born on March 21st, 1978 in Mumbai to Bengali Brahmin parents; Ram Mukherjee, former film director, and Krishna Mukherjee, a playback singer. Her elder brother, Raja Mukherjee, is also a film producer and director. 

Despite having a family belonging to the Bollywood background, the beautiful actress was never interested in entering the glam world. She completed her schooling at Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu and then graduated with a degree in Home Science from SNDT Women's University. 

Mukherjee began acting at the age of fourteen when she played the role of a supporting character in her father's Bengali movie, Biyer Phool in 1992. Two years later, she was approached by Salim Khan to play the lead female role in Aa Gale Lag Jaa. However, she rejected the offer upon her father's disapproval of a full-time acting career at such a young age. Khan visited to her once again for the lead role in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat. This time she accepted with her mother's blessing and encouragement and the movie became her debut into the Bollywood arena. 

Although the film failed at the Box Office, many praised Mukherjee's performance which included a special recognition trophy at the Screen Awards ceremony. Inspired by her cousin's, Kajol Devgn, success, Mukherjee took up acting as a full-time career and made a comeback in 1998 with Ghulam opposite Aamir Khan. The film was a moderate success but grabbed the attention of Bollywood attendants who all wanted to work with the new kid on the block.

Mukherjee's first huge commercial success took place with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in which she played a role opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol Devgn. She continued to work on many other projects, many performing averagely well at the Box Office, but it was Mujhse Dosti Karoge, which failed to impress the Indian audience but garnered huge profits internationally, that returned her the 'hot property' tag. Following that success came Chalte Chalte and Hum Tum in 2004. The later, co-staring Saif Ali Khan, was declared the biggest commercial success of that year. Other movies Mukherjee has garnered much attention in are Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Veer-Zaara, Black and No One Killed Jessica. 

Mukherjee's last release was Talash: The Answers Lies Within (2012) and after a gap year, she's all set to come back with Yash Raj's Mardaani, releasing this July, where she will be seen in the role of a cop for the first time.

To celebrate Mukherjee's birthday, below is a mini playlist of her biggest hits to highlight just how extensive her career has been thus far.

Writer: Harjot D.
Editor(s): Alina S. & Jenifer Y.
Graphics: Virina R.