Ace actor Rani Mukerji who was last seen in a powerful performance as a teacher suffering from Tourette Syndrome in the film Hichki gave an interview to a leading daily where she decoded her life and spoke about her husband producer-director Aditya Chopra and how she eventually became his Dulhan. Aditya has always been a recluse and he is hardly ever seen in any Bollywood gathering or parties. However, he did steal Rani’s heart and the actress shared some stories about how they met and eventually found love in each other.
Rani spilled the beans on her first meeting with Aditya. She told the daily during the interview, “He had called me for a film called Dulhan. That movie never got made. But I became his dulhan (bride), eventually, in life. He was directing the film. And I had signed up for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. So he'd asked me a bunch of professional questions that he does with everyone. And this was much before the first film I did for Yash Raj, which was Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002). And, of course, Saathiya (2002), although that was more of a Bobby Bedi production, with Yash Raj presenting it. Shaad had come to me and said he was remaking Mani Ratnam's film. I was like, "Why are you remaking a great film that Mani Ratnam's already made?" Yash (Chopra) uncle was involved with the film. So was Adi. They were actually shocked to hear that I had said no.”
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Apparently, when Aditya found out that Rani had declined Saathiya on the pretext that the female lead does not have a good role, “he burst out laughing”. Rani said, “That's when Adi realised that I'm a clueless person in the industry. If I can say that the girl's role in Saathiya has no meat, then I must be really cracked!”
Since Aditya is somebody who hardly gives any interviews, he has become an enigma of sorts where not many people know anything about him. On asked about his nature, Rani said, “I think the best way to describe Adi is that he's a great leader. He's got great leadership qualities. After so many years in the industry, it's really difficult for me to respect someone — we tend to know people, in, and out. Adi is somebody I can genuinely respect as a human being, and this has been the case from even before I became his wife and life-partner.
She further added, “He's (Aditya) essentially a no-nonsense person. He tells you in your face, the way it is. I think that's great because a lot of people in films need that reality check. You are surrounded by people who constantly tell you that you're the best. He's a really good bubble-buster in that sense. You need someone to say "You're good, but not the best!" Also, whenever someone goes to him for advice, he puts the other person's interest first, before his own. I think that's a rare quality to have, not only in business, in life as well.”
