71st National Film Awards: Rani Mukerji seeks blessings at Siddhivinayak temple

Rani Mukerji, who received her first National Film Award nearly 30 years after entering the industry, prayed at Mumbai`s Siddhivinayak Temple on Saturday. The official Instagram feed of Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati shared images from her visit.

Rani reaches Siddhivinayak Temple

Rani was photographed folding her hands as she stood near the alter. She grinned for the cameras behind her. Rani dressed in a blue outfit for her visit. She wore a crimson shawl. The actor also wore a tilak (holy mark) on her forehead. The caption stated that Rani paid the visit on Saturday.

Rani earned the Best Actress award for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee versus Norway, in which she played a mother struggling to get her children home.

Her character in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway is based on the true story of Sagarika Chakraborty, whose children were seized by the Norwegian authorities in 2011.

After receiving the honour, Rani Mukherji shared a statement expressing gratitude, "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," she said in her statement.

On sharing her gratitude note

Rani also stated that this award means more to her than just acknowledgement for a particular film, and that the accolade is "emotional and personal" to her because 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 also said.

Rani concluded, "It also feels the apt time to again thank all my fans, from across the world, who have relentlessly supported me through thick and thin for these 30 years! Your unconditional love and support is everything that I have ever needed to stay motivated, to show up at work every day and to deliver performances that have entertained you. You’ve embraced every role, every character, every story I’ve had the good fortune to bring to life. So, without you I would be a nobody today."