71st National Film Awards | Dedicate my win to incredible mothers of this world, says Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji, who bagged her first-ever National Film Award nearly 30 years after entering the film industry, says she feels "overwhelmed" to have received the honour. The award, for the Best Actress, was announced for her performance role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, where she played a mother fighting to bring her children back home. Calling it a big moment in her long journey in cinema, the Mardaani actress shared her feelings in her statement, reflecting on the "incredible films" she has done and thanked the jury for recognising her work.

Rani also shared the joy of the win with the team behind the film, calling it a “truly special project.” “I’m overwhelmed to have won the National Award for my performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Incidentally, this is the first-ever National Award in my 30-year career. As an actor, I have been fortunate to have some incredible films in my body of work and have received so much love for them.

“I thank the National Award jury for honouring my work in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. I share this moment with the entire team of the film--my producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha, and Madhu, my director Ashima Chibber, and everyone who worked on this truly special project that celebrated the resilience of motherhood,” she said.

Rani also added that for her, this award means more than just recognition for a single film and shared that the honour is very “emotional and personal” for her, as the film’s message is close to her heart.

”I dedicate my National Award to all the incredible mothers of this world. There is nothing like a mother’s love and her ferocity to protect her own. The story of this Indian immigrant mother, who went all out for her child and took on a nation, shook me deeply... a mother’s love for her child is unconditional,” she said.

”I realised this when I had my own. So, this win, this film, feels deeply emotional and personal. A mother can move mountains for her children and also make the world a better place. This film tried to show this,” Rani added.

Rani’s role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway is based on the real-life case of Sagarika Chakraborty, whose children were taken by the Norwegian government in 2011. Rani plays Debika, the mother who fights the foreign legal system to bring her kids back. Since her debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in 1996, Rani has built a solid career. From winning hearts with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998 to playing bold and fearless women in many films, she has chosen many roles that show strength and emotion.