Rani Mukerji: I'm enjoying being married and doing nothing

Rani Mukerji, who exchanged vows with Yash Raj Films (YRF) head honcho Aditya Chopra earlier this year, says she is currently enjoying "being married and doing nothing".

Rani Mukerji

In an interview to Vogue India August 2015 issue, Rani has spoken about life post marriage, her choice of films and her future plans.

Asked if she sees herself producing or directing a film in the future, the actress, who has completed two decades in Bollywood, said: "There's nothing stopping me. Adi (Aditya Chopra) would never say no. But I see the way my husband works. He's the most hard working person in his studio and the last one to leave at night. I wouldn't want to risk his or his company's name by doing something juvenile.

"For now, I'm enjoying being married and doing nothing."

As for five years from now, she wants to see herself doing some "kickass films" and having "lovely babies beside me as I go to the set".

Rani, who has delivered powerful performances in films like 'No One Killed Jessica' and 'Mardaani', credits three men, including her husband, for spotting her talent in her initial days.

"Yes, he (Aditya Chopra) did, and so did Shah Rukh (Khan). Aamir (Khan) recommended me to Mukesh Bhatt and Vikram Bhatt for 'Ghulam' (released in 1998). These three men have been integral to my career," said the actress.

She also recalled the time when filmmaker Karan Johar asked her to lose weight before 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.

"Karan is so hyper. If you see that scene today, where's the weight? I was actually happy that I didn't look like everyone else. Today, people think about it far more than we used to," said the actress, whose film choices have changed as she feels that "it's embarrassing for a 37-year-old to do the roles she did in her twenties."

"I'm not delusional. I'm conscious of what the audience wants to see me in," she stressed.

MID-DAY

These Bollywood actors reunited on-screen after a hiatus

As Ajay Devgn and Tabu share screen space in 'Drishyam' after over a decade and half, we turn the spotlight on other actors who reunited on the big screen after a gap of several years...

While fresh or unusual casting creates a lot of buzz and curiosity, reunion of actors are equally looked forward to, especially if it comes after a long interlude. As 'Drishyam' hits the silver screen today, movie buffs will get to see Ajay Devgn and Tabu sharing screen space after 16 years — they were last seen together in 'Thakshak' (1999). This film, however, will have sparks flying between the duo as Tabu plays a cop and Ajay, a common man, who inadvertently lands in a precarious situation and tries hard to outdo her.

Ajay Devgn (left) and Tabu at a promotional event in Delhi. Pic/Yogen Shah

Speaking about their reunion, the actress has admitted that she didn't have to think twice before giving her nod to the project as she believes Ajay is her "trump card". On the other hand, Ajay reportedly said: "Working with Tabu in 'Drishyam' was no different from working with her in the '90s. We are childhood friends, our real life equation helps us work in perfect tandem. Since we have been busy with our respective work, there wasn't much interaction before the film took off. But we started from where we had left off. That's the strength of every friendship."

hitlist takes a look at other actors who reconnected after a hiatus...

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

The last time: 'My Name Is Khan' (2010)
After the break: 'Dilwale' (upcoming)
Lowdown: The on-screen power couple of the '90s have teamed up for the Rohit Shetty film, which is currently being shot in Bulgaria. The pair has delivered several blockbusters like 'Baazigar', 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Karan Arjun', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. It is said that Rohit got close buddy Ajay Devgn to cajole wife Kajol to do the film. And with SRK already on board, the actress apparently didn't need much motivation to say yes, although there were reports that she demanded Rs 5 crore to sign on the dotted line. With this pairing, Dilwale is arguably the most anticipated film of 2016.

Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia

The last time: 'Leela' (2002)
After the break: 'Dabangg' (2010)
Lowdown: They had co-starred in quite a few films like 'Insaaf' (1987), 'Aakhri Adalat' (1988), 'Batwara' (1989) and 'Khoon Ka Karz' (1991). Almost over a decade later, they united for 'Leela' in which Kapadia played a professor and married to Khanna, a renowned poet. The film, however, failed to work at the box-office. Eight years later, they came together for the Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha-starrer which was a superhit.

Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah

The last time: 'Black and White' (2008)
After the break: 'Dil Dhadakne Do' (2015)
Lowdown: These two veterans garnered much appreciation as the Mehra couple in the recent Zoya Akhtar ensemble movie. They not only brought a sting to their interactions as expected from a husband and a wife in a loveless marriage, but seemed perfectly cast as the parents of Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh. Even though they were working together after a gap of seven years, Shefali felt her co-star hadn't changed at all. "He is as dedicated and committed as he was before," she had been quoted as saying.

Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta
The last time: 'Salaam Namaste' (2005)
After the break: 'Happy Ending' (2014)
Lowdown: The dimpled actress did a cameo in the Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK film as one of Saif's many ex-girlfriends. An excited Preity even tweeted pictures of them together on the sets, saying: "Cannot believe That the first time we shot together was 16 years ago ! Unbelievable." The first time that they were paired opposite each other was for 'Kya Kehna' (2000) and the last was 'Salaam Namaste' — call it sheer coincidence, but both the films had Saif impregnating Preity by accident. On their latest collaboration, Saif had said, "She is a dear friend. She was at my wedding with Kareena (Kapoor). She even took me to the hospital once, when I fell off a bike and nearly killed myself! We go way back. I am very happy to have acted with her again. We have a screen history that helps the role and it's very cool of her to do a special part for us in the film."

Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapoor

The last time: 'Finding Fanny' (2014)
After the break: 'Maqbool' (2003)
Lowdown: The two maverick actors, who happen to be brothers-in-law, are apparently wary of being cast together (Naseer's wife Ratna Pathak and Pankaj's wife Supriya Pathak are sisters). They did star in the Vishal Bhardwaj film, but had no scenes together. According to buzz, Naseer and Pankaj had a fallout over a film long time ago and since then, they avoid each other. However, the put the rumours to rest by starring in Homi Adajania's film last year. In fact, Naseer helped Pankaj overcome water phobia during the shoot. The duo has done quite a few films in the past together, which includes 'Mandi', 'Khamosh', 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron', 'Jalwa' and 'Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho'.

MID-DAY

Tigmanshu Dhulia to make a biopic on Army hero?

Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia is planning a film on 1971 war hero and India's first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw

Looks like Tigmanshu Dhulia cannot have enough of biopics. After 'Paan Singh Tomar' (2012), he wanted to make a film on tragedy queen Meena Kumari, but since it is being opposed by the late actress' family, the filmmaker has apparently decided on the cinematic adaptation of another icon. According to sources, it is Sam Manekshaw, the country's first Field Marshal, who is hailed as the architect of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

Sam Manekshaw (right) and (left) Tigmanshu Dhulia

A source says, "Tigmanshu has wrapped up Yaara with Shruti Haasan and Vidyut Jammwal and started working on his next project, which is a biopic on Sam Manekshaw, the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the five star rank of Field Marshal. His military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in the British Indian Army in World War 2."

Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1934 and became the Chief of Staff in 1969. As the possibility of the Indo-Pak war loomed, he resisted great political pressure to attack the Pakistani forces prematurely. Senior politicians wanted to sack Manekshaw and go to war at once, but he warned the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that if they had their way, the country could be humiliated, its troops, artillery and equipment come to a standstill, bogged down in the monsoon mud. Gandhi followed his advice and the rest is history. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 94.

A source close to Tigmanshu says: "Tigmanshu is working on the script and is busy with the post-production of Yaara."

Tigmanshu, on the other hand, denies the buzz, saying: "I am not doing any film on Manekshaw."

MID-DAY

David Oscar Now Musician

After performing comedy for 15 years on both stage and TV, Ghanaian Comedian, David Oscar is now nurturing his love for music.

He calls this realising his dreams. To David Oscar, he believes getting his message across to his audience can be conveyed better through music.

He was on our showbiz segment with Mike Eghan, a veteran television personality and onetime host of GBC'S Entertainment Programme, ''The Mike Eghan Show.''

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, Roland Affail Monney has appealed to corporate bodies to support the GJA Awards in order to motivate journalists.

He said this will go a long way to ensure that journalists do more to advance the cause of Ghana in all endeavours.

Mr.Monney said this when three institution, Chocho Industries, Action Aid and Inter- Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization, ICCD made some donations towards the next GJA Awards in Accra.

Deborah Vanessa

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."

Deborah Vanessa

"We assume others show love the same way we do - and if they don't, we worry it's not there."