71st National Film Awards: Rani Mukherji dedicates her honour to all mothers

Rani Mukerji, who has been an actor for three decades, won her first National Film Award for her portrayal in `Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway`. The 71st National Film Awards were awarded in New Delhi, celebrating excellence in Indian cinema, with Rani Mukerji winning Best Actress.

Rani expresses gratitude on winning the honour

Rani said, "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. For me, this award is also a validation of my 30 year body of work, my dedication to my craft with which I feel a deeply spiritual connection and my passion for cinema and this beautiful film industry of ours."  

Rani dedicates the honour to all moms 

She further added, "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."

Rani also quipped, "It also feels like 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 are 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."