The Reigning Queen

Rani Mukherjee was destined to one day serve as Queen of Bollywood; "Rani," after all, means "queen." She's everywhere right now. It seems every time I read about Bollywood, I also read about Rani. She swept Filmfare's Best Actress categories last year: she won Best Actress for Hum Tum and Best Supporting Actress for Yuva. And she had an important supporting role in last year's Best Picture winner, Veer-Zaara. She will likely win another Best Actress award this year for her performance in Black, where she played a woman deaf, blind, and mute. She was, for lack of a better word, amazing.



OK, before I ramble on about how talented Rani is, let me clear some air: she is no Kajol, though they are both Mukherjees (second cousins). But she has filled the void in Bollywood left by Kajol and has become one of my favorite actresses. Her small role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai put Rani on the map, but it wasn't until Saathiya that I felt Rani could carry her own movie. But her filmography in 2004-2005 speak for itself. If it's a popular and good Hindi film, it probably stars Rani Mukherjee. She has three blockbusters under her belt this year: Black, Bunty aur Babli, a comedy in which she plays a con artist, and Paheli in which she plays an abused wife who's in love with a ghost (at least I think that's what it's about; I haven't seen it... yet. I've heard it's really good). She's also starring in the just-released Mangal Pangey: The Rising along with Aamir Khan, in which she plays a prostitute. I would bet this will also be a hit.

There's not much more to say, really. She's a fantastic actor, is well respected in the industry, avoids scandal most of the time (OK, there were those rumors about Govinda and Karan Johar), is a bankable star, works hard, has amazing yellow eyes, and has signed more interesting projects for the future. Not bad for a girl who never wanted to be an actress growing up.

My Favorite Rani Films (there are many):
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)--with SRK, Kajol, and Salman Khan
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001)--with Salman Khan and Preity Zinta
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)--with SRK, Kajol, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan
Saathiya (2002)--with Vivek Oberoi
Yuva (2004)--with Abhishek Bachchan
Hum Tum (2004)--with Saif Ali Khan
Veer-Zaara (2004)--with SRK and Preity Zinta
Black (2005)--with Amitabh Bachchan
Bunty aur Babli (2005)--with Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan

Next up: Aamir Khan

Thesis

I think it's done.

It will be out of my hands tomorrow morning! I will wait until then to do the Bolly-inspired happy dance!


Stay tuned for my next Bollywood Blog. Scott's future wife, Rani Mukherjee, is up next.

Self Realization, Part 1

I’m beginning to understand the answer to the implied questions hidden behind rolled eyes, uninterested nods and uh-huhs, interruptions, joking that I can take, and quickly-changed subjects.

Kajol's Birthday!

Since it's August 5th in India now, I thought I'd start the celebration.

Today is Kajol’s 30th birthday! In honor of my favorite Bollywood actress, I give you 30 reasons why you should see a Kajol movie on her 30th birthday.

30. So you can actually say you’ve seen a Bollywood movie. You’ll be amazed at the various looks you’ll receive when you tell people you’ve seen a Bollywood production.
29. She’s my favorite actress, along with Kate Winslet (who coincidentally is also turning 30 this year).
28. Scott thinks she’s hot.



27. Saris never looked so good on anyone.
26. She doesn’t give a damn what you think about her.
25. She can say no to Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar.
24. In an industry dominated by men, Kajol held her own in the 1990s (really until she went on her acting hiatus).
23. She’s a proud wife and mother.
22. “She’s quite demented.” –Shah Rukh Khan
21. She loves to read—I love that.
20. She’s one of the famous Mukherjee clan. Think of them as Bollywood’s Barrymores. Rani Mukherjee, Kajol's second cousin, comes from the same family.
19. On her mother’s side, she’s a fourth generation actress. Her great-grandmother acted before films existed. Her grandmother, Shobhana, was one of the industry's forerunnes. She's the niece of iconic yesteryear actress Nutan and the daughter of successful actress Tanuja. Her little sister Tanishaa is also pursuing acting.
18. She doesn’t beat around the bush. She’ll tell you exactly what’s on her mind.
17. She is the highlight of Kal Ho Naa Ho’s “Maahi Ve,” in which she only appears for 8 seconds.
16. She knows her family is more important than her career.
15. Even though she hasn’t starred in a film since 2001, she’s still one of the most popular and powerful people in the industry.
14. She’s consistently featured in Top Ten Lists of the greatest actresses in the history of Hindi cinema.
13. “Complexion - nothing to write home about. Dancing abilities - zilch. Features - very dicey. Figure – er, we’ll let that pass. Yet, Kajol’s was the most attractive face of the nineties. When she appeared on screen, ‘kuch kuch ho raha hai!’ is all we could mumble. What works for the actress is great character, fab personality, a compelling presence. She combines intensity and vulnerability like no other. Kajol is the rare movie star who’s blessed with the ability to arouse passions in a plain-jane salwar kameez. A human dynamo loaded with tonnes of kinetic energy, and a super attitude to match. To even covet Kajol, you have to raise your own bar as a man. We spontaneously fell in love with all of them. With Simran. And with both the Anjalis. The college tomboy. And the Chandni Chowk kudi.” --Anil Thakraney (Mid-day)
12. She’s not afraid to be seen in public not looking perfect.
11. The gazebo scene from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—you’ll understand when you see it.
10. “Suraj Hua Maddham” from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham—you’ll also understand why when you see it.
9. So you can catch a Shah Rukh Khan movie while you’re at it. They appeared opposite each other in Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
8. She won Best Villain for her performance in… I don’t want to spoil the move for you.
7. She won Best Actress for her performance in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
6. She won Best Actress for her performance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
5. She’s a fantastic role model for young women.
4. The same year she won Best Actress for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, she was nominated in the same category for three of the five slots for Dushman and Pyaar To Hona Hai Tha.
3. She has a unibrow, isn’t bothered by it, and still looks amazing!
2. She’s part of the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge experience. DDLJ is the most successful Bollywood movie of all time and has yet to leave the theater since its 1995 release. DDLJ also swept the Filmfare Awards, taking 15 statues home, including Best Actress for Kajol.
1. Because I’m not going to shut up about her. So you might as well do yourself a favor and figure out who she is--pronto!

Happy Birthday, Kajol!

(And no, I didn’t make cupcakes to celebrate, so you don’t have to run and hide, Steve!)