Rani Mukerji pens long emotional note as she completes 30 years in cinema

Rani Mukerji is a trailblazing icon of Indian cinema who, over a 30-year career, has consistently portrayed strong, resilient women and challenged stereotypes through her work. Hailed as the face of the modern Indian woman, her path-breaking roles have used cinema as a powerful voice for dignity, equality, and respect.

Rani Mukerji completes 30 years in cinema

As she celebrates 30 years in the industry with the release of Mardaani 3, Rani Mukerji pens a heartfelt note ahead of the release of the threequel of her blockbuster franchise. Mardaani is India’s only female-led franchise, is the only female-led cop franchise of India and also the only successful female-led theatrical movie franchise in the history of Indian cinema. 

Rani penned a long note where she spoke about her 30-year-long journey in the movies. She said that she came into the industry with plans of being an actor and that movies happened by chance. "Thirty years ago, I stepped onto a film set with no grand plan of becoming an actress. It wasn’t a dream I chased — it was something that found me. A young girl, drawn into cinema almost by chance, hesitant at first… and yet, somewhere between instinct and vulnerability, I fell in love with the craft. Cinema has a strange way of freezing emotions. Somewhere inside me, I am still that nervous girl standing in front of the camera for the first time, hoping I wouldn’t forget my lines, hoping I belonged. I didn’t come into films with a master plan. I came with curiosity, fear, and a deep love for stories, for the exploration of the human mind through characters."

The actress then spoke about her debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat and what it taught her about the craft. She then mentioned and spoke about films like Saathiya, Black, Bunty Aur Babli, No One Killed Jessica, Mardaani, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway and Hichki. 

Motherhood and movies

She also spoke about motherhood and its impact on her craft. "Playing a mother gave me my first National Award and I’m a believer in signs. Maybe I was born to play this role, which is why the universe reserved the feeling of me winning this award for when I became a mother and understood what a woman can do for her offspring. Maybe I’m a more complete actor, a more grounded human to play such a role today. I bowed to the universe and took this award with a lot of humility."

Rani Mukerji also feels grateful that her film Mardaani 3 will mark her 30th year in cinema. "It is incredibly special to mark my 30th year in cinema with Mardaani 3 — a franchise that allows me to salute the spirit of today’s women and also the resilience of the Indian police force, especially the women who serve the nation.

To have a threequel from the franchise that I have built release in my 30th year is again a sign for me. Maybe the universe is telling me to keep moving forward, keep doing good work, and keep celebrating people and unsung heroes on screen through my craft."

Take a look at the note:

Thank you for the love for 30 years ❤️ - Rani Mukerji pic.twitter.com/fz37yV8LmV — Yash Raj Films (@yrf) January 12, 2026