After a career spanning over three decades in Bollywood, acclaimed actress Rani Mukerji recently received her inaugural National Award for Best Actress. While her mother, Krishna Mukherjee, is immensely proud of this significant achievement, she also conveyed that the recognition felt somewhat delayed. Krishna Mukherjee expressed her belief that Rani truly deserved this honor for her powerful performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s critically acclaimed film, ‘Black’.
Rani Mukerji was recognized at the 71st National Film Awards 2025 for her compelling role in the 2023 film ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs. Norway’.
Rani Mukerji’s mother on her National award win
In a recent interaction with photographers and media members at a Durga Puja pandal in Mumbai, Rani’s mother shared her thoughts on her daughter’s latest accolade. Speaking about Rani receiving her first National Award, Krishna Mukherjee stated, “I am happy that she got a National Award. But (she got it) very late. She should (have gotten the award) for the film Black, I think so. But today, I am very proud of her.”
Chitrani Lahiri, wife of the late singer Bappi Lahiri, was also present and joined the conversation. Krishna Mukherjee reiterated her sentiment, questioning the delay in Rani receiving this national honor. “Rani is like my daughter. We are very overwhelmed to know that she got the National Award so late. She has done a wonderful job in Black. I don’t know how come the people didn’t understand her at that time. They should have given her a long time back. After 30 years, she is getting the award,” she remarked.
Adding to her sentiments, Rani’s mother shared her joy for Shah Rukh Khan as well, noting, “30 years of her career, and she got it now. But I am happy.” She also expressed her happiness that actor Shah Rukh Khan also received his first National Award after many years for his performance in the film ‘Jawan’.
About Black
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Black’, co-written, directed, and co-produced by him, also featured Amitabh Bachchan, Ayesha Kapur, Shernaz Patel, and Dhritiman Chatterjee. The film, inspired by the life and works of Helen Keller, beautifully portrays the journey of Michelle, a woman who is deaf, mute, and blind. It highlights her profound relationship with Debraj (Amitabh Bachchan), an elderly teacher who eventually suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. ‘Black’ received widespread acclaim and garnered multiple awards, including National Awards for Best Actor, Best Feature Film in Hindi, and Best Costume Design.
Rani’s National Award win
Rani Mukerji recently achieved her first-ever National Award for Best Actress for her performance in ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’. The film, directed by Ashima Chibber, is based on the true story of Sagarika Chakraborty, an Indian mother whose children were taken away by Norwegian child welfare services in 2011.
Looking ahead, Rani Mukerji is set to appear in ‘Mardaani 3’, an action-packed film directed by Abhiraj Minawala, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026.