Rani Mukerji On How Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black Changed Her As A Person

Rani Mukerji is a versatile actress and has given some notable performances over the decades she has spent in the film industry. She has surely mastered the craft, and aspiring actors have a lot to learn from her consistency and knowledge about cinema. Among her other films, the 2005 movie Black stands as an exceptional masterpiece. The intense role and accurate depiction of a young girl with speech and hearing impairment won Rani several acclamations. In her latest interview, the actress revealed her approach to working on films like Black as well as how she handles such difficult roles.

In conversation with Pinkvilla, Rani Mukerji shared that her character in Black was inspired by Helen Keller, a well-known American novelist who struggled with hearing and speaking concerns. Rani Mukerji stressed that the film depicted the path of a dedicated girl who overcame challenges to attain her dream of graduating. She added, “So it was about her life, and doing Black kind of changed me a lot as a person.”

Speaking about the struggles she faced while playing the character, Rani recalled that she realised how difficult it is to use sign language. Even for simple daily activities like going to the washroom or asking for a glass of water, she had to use sign language, and eventually her arms would hurt. However, the actress braved all difficulties and stated that playing difficult characters is part of her job as an actor. She said, “That’s what my job is, and I am paid for that job. So, I better know how to act because it is not good to be in films and not know how to act. So if I am getting paid for a job, I should know that job correctly.”

Enlightening about how she prepares for a role, Rani Mukerji said, “I am a little different in terms of the way I like to prepare because I don’t like to become a headache for other 100 people around me because I am an actor I have to do my job. I can’t push other people to be serious at the same time because I am serious.” She mentioned that she behaves the way others around her are during the shoot but once they start shooting a scene everybody has to go silent because they have to sync sound.

Black was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and also starred Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role.