Renowned Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, renowned for her marriage to Aditya Chopra, founder of Yash Raj Films, recently shared a deeply personal and poignant experience. Speaking at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Rani disclosed the heart-wrenching loss she endured, losing her second pregnancy five months in during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The actress, celebrated for her roles in films such as “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Mardaani,” unveiled this emotional chapter in her life, shedding light on the private tragedy that she confronted before embarking on her latest cinematic endeavor, “Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway,” which hit screens in March 2023. Rani spoke about the complex decision she made to withhold her story during the movie’s promotional phase, to prevent it from being perceived as a mere marketing strategy.
During the revelation at the festival, Rani Mukerji shared, “Perhaps this is the first instance of me divulging this experience, as in today’s world, every facet of one’s existence is scrutinized publicly, often co-opted as a promotional tool. Naturally, I refrained from discussing this deeply personal ordeal while promoting the film, as I didn’t want it to be exploited for garnering attention. The year was 2020, when the pandemic took hold. Toward the end of that tumultuous year, I conceived my second child, only to endure the devastating loss of my baby five months into the pregnancy.”
Elaborating on the emotional intersection between her personal journey and her cinematic portrayal, Rani Mukerji recounted a serendipitous connection. Nikhil Advani, one of the producers of “Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway,” reached out to her shortly after the miscarriage in 2020, introducing her to the film’s narrative. “Following the loss of my child, Nikhil (Advani) contacted me around ten days later. He acquainted me with the film’s storyline, and I was immediately captivated – not that the loss was a prerequisite for feeling the emotion, but sometimes the right film emerges at the perfect time, allowing you to resonate with it on a profound level. When I heard the script, I was in awe. I never fathomed that an Indian family would have to navigate such trials in a country like Norway,” Rani expressed.
Rani Mukerji, who wed filmmaker Aditya Chopra in 2014, shares a deep commitment to maintaining the privacy of their family life. The couple, both conspicuously absent from social media, welcomed their daughter Adira in 2015. Rani had previously discussed Adira’s premature birth, narrating how she was cared for in the NICU due to her delicate health. The actress candidly shared this aspect of her journey on Kareena Kapoor’s talk show, “What Women Want.”
In her most recent cinematic venture, “Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway,” Rani Mukerji portrayed the role of a mother entangled in a gripping battle with a nation’s authorities for the well-being of her children. The film, adapted from Sagarika Chakaraborty’s book “The Journey of a Mother,” was directed by Ashima Chibber and boasted a cast featuring Neena Gupta, Jim Sarbh, Anirban Bhattacharya, and others.
The film’s release in March 2023 drew attention, not only for its compelling narrative but also due to the response it elicited from Norwegian Ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenlund. In the aftermath of the screening, Frydenlund delivered a critical assessment of the movie, prompting a reaction from the film’s makers and team. Producer Nikkhil Advani took to Twitter to offer insight into the events, describing how the ambassador engaged in a post-screening discussion that included a reproachful interaction with two female attendees.