‘That day felt even more special’: Rani Mukerji on winning National Award alongside Shah Rukh Khan

Rani Mukerji has revisited one of the most emotional milestones of her career, opening up about how winning her first National Film Award alongside Shah Rukh Khan made the moment profoundly unforgettable.

The two actors, who share one of Bollywood’s longest-standing friendships, received their first-ever National Awards together at a ceremony held in Delhi last year, a moment that quickly became iconic among fans.

Speaking on a recent podcast episode as part of Spotlight Sessions, shared on Zoom’s YouTube channel, Rani reflected on the occasion and the now-viral clip in which she was seen helping Shah Rukh adjust his National Film Award medal. She explained that achieving such a major honour alongside someone who has walked the same professional path for decades added a deeply personal layer to the recognition.

Describing the significance of the shared journey, Rani said, “I think all students here (in the audience) today will understand… If you’ve been on a journey with your friends from a very young age, school, college, helping each other through life, then achieving something together on a platform like that becomes extra special. You’re sharing it with someone who started the journey with you.”

Rani went on to acknowledge Shah Rukh Khan’s influence on her life and career, noting how much she has absorbed from him over the years, both professionally and personally.

Reflecting on their longevity in the industry, she added, “There’s so much that I imbibed and learned from Shah Rukh - as a professional, as a person, and as an actor. Winning it on that day felt even more special because he has been in the industry for 35 years and I’ve been for 30. With or without National Awards, we’ve never stopped wanting to do our best for our films. I’m a horse in the Chinese calendar. I believe I keep my blinkers on—I don’t look left or right. I always look ahead and focus on what lies forward.”

Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji are widely regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most cherished on-screen pairings, having starred together in films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Chalte Chalte, Paheli, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Veer-Zaara. Beyond their cinematic collaborations, the two have maintained a close off-screen friendship spanning decades.

Rani’s National Award win marked a historic moment in her career. After 30 years in the film industry, she received her first National Film Award for her performance in the 2023 legal drama Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Shah Rukh Khan, meanwhile, won the Best Actor award for his role in Atlee’s blockbuster Jawan.

Following the announcement of the 71st National Film Awards, Rani shared an emotional statement dedicating her win to mothers.

She said, “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.. 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.”

Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, written and directed by Ashima Chibber, is inspired by the real-life case of Anurup Bhattacharya and Sagarika Chakraborty, an Indian immigrant couple whose children were taken into custody by Norwegian authorities in 2011.

Rani Mukerji is set to return to the big screen next with Mardaani 3, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 30, continuing her decades-long run as one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring stars.