Hichki has
garnered lots of acclaim. The time was right to speak to Rani Mukerji, the
film's protagonist. We caught up with her at Yash Raj Studios, over the
weekend.
Excerpts from
the conversation that transpired:
Aren't we
sitting with you in a wrong place, the rehearsal hall in YRF? Do you really
need rehearsals?
(Laughs)
You walked
through your role in Hichki, and you had told me last time that it was a very
tough role...
Well, it was a
very challenging part. there was no accessible connect or reference point
for me for Tourette Syndrome, at least in India. Plus, I was always tense that
the audience may find the tics very strange, it had to come out very real and
relatable.
Rani Mukerji In Saathiya
You had Brad
for a reference point, but you didn't copy his tics. Why?
I felt that if I
copy Brad, it wouldn't come/appear organically. I felt it would be better
to go inside myself and think that how my system would react if I was to tic.
Day 1
collections were a tad slow, about Rs 3 Cr. What went on in your mind then?
I had decided to
spend Friday, March 23, with Adira only. So I was keeping myself in a
different zone altogether.
But yeah coming
to your question, I don't think that we were worried. Team Hichki had a
very realistic approach of how big the film is, we were quite happy with
whatever we got on Friday.
Adira, your
lucky charm...
It is happy
time. It takes me into a different world. It takes me me away from all my
worries (smiles).
Day 2 and 3,
the collections zoomed...
The hichki in
audiences, that married actresses can't comeback and an actress who is a mother
is a dead commodity, was all gone. I had been validated.
You mean we
have these notions?
I guess so,
because it definitely stems from somewhere na? Whenever I met people, including
the media, the first few questions are based on those lines only.
But thank god,
India is shining now. People are not bothered who I am.
Your most favourite scene in Hichki?
When I walk into
the school St Notkers School with a walking stick in my hand. I wanted my Dad
to be a part of Hichki in some capacity, now this scene has a massive emotional
bearing on me.
Your most
difficult scene?
Every scene was
difficult; I had to balance a lot on how many tics II am doing.
I think you
did the exult scene very well, where you go ga-ga when you land up with a
job...
Thank you
(smiles).
Now, headlong
into movies again?
Absolutely. I
shall deep-dive. i was waiting to see the response I get from Hichki. I am glad
that I have been given a thumbs-up.
Adira will be
at home...
I will have to
strike the right balance. I want to be a mother who continues to be successful
after marriage.
How does she
react when she sees you on big screen, TV and newspapers?
She says,
"My mama'. I took her for Hichki on Day 3. I even took my entire
staff who looks after her, so that they know what I was dong while they looked
after her (smiles).
Rani Mukerji In Hichki
List
down your milestones...
Raja Ki Aayegi
Baraat, Ghulam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Black, No One Killed Jessica and Hichki.
Ghulam and K2H2 made me climb into mainstream league. Black was a
terrific role where I thought I might make a fool of myself- but Sanjay (leela
Bhansali) backed me no end.
The Hichkis
in your career?
Every time, they
surfaced. It has been a very long journey, and which journey is devoid of
hichkis?
Image Source: Manav Manglani, instagram/ranimukerjifans, wallpapersden, youtube/yrf, medium, beingbhai, lovelimes, rtiwala