Actress Rani Mukerji, whose film Hichki will play at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), says she is always happy about essaying roles that are of differently-abled characters.
Whether it was her portrayal as a deaf and blind girl in Black or her role as a woman with Tourette’s Syndrome, the actress has proved her mettle as a performer with sensitive and impactful performances.
Mukerji told the media in Melbourne on Friday that she was very proud of how the film did, especially as it came to her after motherhood as it proved a long-standing cliche wrong.
“With Hichki, that slightly changed. I am happy people accepted the content. I am the daughter of a writer and producer, I am the wife of a writer, director and producer, and I understand that script is the king, it’s the backbone,” she said. “When your content is good, no matter you are married, unmarried, beautiful or not beautiful, a film works.”
Mukerji said she was especially happy that awareness about Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder, got a boost with the Siddharth Malhotra film.
“I feel happy doing such films, about playing specially abled characters and I feel happy that directors think of me when they have such roles,” she said.
Mukerji is at the IFFM as its guest of honour, and is attending with daughter Adira.
“For the first time, she (daughter) is seeing Melbourne, and I will be seeing Melbourne as a mother. I am actually trying to see all the places that I can take her to. There’s a zoo, aquarium... It’s a great city for kids with some really amazing places,” she added.
On Saturday, Mukerji will hoist the Indian flag at the Federation Square here. She is looking forward to the experience.
“I think it’s a matter of pride for any citizen from any country to be hoisting the national flag. And obviously doing it in Australia far away from home gives me even more reason (to feel special),” she said. “I will feel most patriotic doing what I will be doing. It’s a matter of great honour that the Victorian government has considered me to do it.”
