Rani Mukerji was clearly on cloud nine as she returned to her alma mater, Maneckji Cooper. “It always feels wonderful coming back to school. I thank all the teachers who are here today, but I also want to thank all my ex-teachers – Mrs. Mishra, Mrs. D’Souza, Sir Ganatra, Mrs. Setu, Mrs. Vakil, Mrs. Bhatia… I feel so happy to see you’ll here today. It’s a very special film of mine where I play a teacher, and so I thought there could be no better place than Maneckji Cooper to launch this song. I just hope you’ll all see Hichki and tell me how I played you’ll! All my experiences that I’ve had in school, the way you all have taught me, I think I’ve taken a few anecdotes from all of you’ll and I’ve tried to play a good teacher – I don’t know how successful I’ll be.”
Accompany Rani on this trip back to school, were a trio of her friends, who had all studied together right from nursery. “This used to be our nursery, so all the memories are coming back… including the banyan tree nearby where we used to hang!” gushed Rani.
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Talking about her upcoming film, she stated, “Hichki talks about turning your disadvantages into your strengths, and making them your opportunities. That’s something my teachers at Maneckji Cooper have taught me. I learnt a lot from Mrs Dadarkar – she was our History teacher, my English Literature teacher, so the way I talk, a lot of it comes from Mrs Dadarkar. Just the fact that this film talks about so many positive aspects of life, makes it truly special. And I’m really proud to present this film in front of my teachers here today, who I truly respect the most in my life. Mrs. Mishra, who taught Maths and Physics – always my weak spot! And I would come to your house for tuitions as well. And Mrs Kadam – Chemistry, oh my god!”
She also called all her teachers on stage, for the entire media to see them properly and invited them to say a few words.
Mrs. Dadarkar recalled Rani’s humility, and the love and respect she had not only for her teachers but also for her family, her friends, her brother Raja – “Raja had to be first for everything!” The lady also shared, “I remember I used to ask Rani what she would want to do after completing her education. She would always tell me, ‘Ma’am, I’m never going to be an actress! I want to be a teacher like you’… and there she is today, a teacher like me!”
Another teacher, Mrs. Mishra recalled her as being very sensitive, adding, “She never forgets us and is concerned and caring even towards our children.”
Rani’s friends also spoke of the warm bonding that existed at their school between the teachers and students, which perhaps does not exist anywhere else.
All in all, a day of warm memories coming alive...
BY: RJ ALOK and NICHOLA
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