Former belle of the ball, Rani Mukerji has had a poor run of flops recently which she blames on poor promotion from the Yashraj stable to which she is wedded. In particular, it’s said she lays the blame at the door of Aditya Chopra. Rumour has it that she is now sidelining her personal life and concentrating on rebuilding her career – even if this means moving beyond Yashraj.
Rani has a string of strong performances behind her, including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hey Ram, Saathiya, for which she won a Best Actress Award, Chalte Chalte, Yuva, the delightful Hum Tum which won another Best Actress Award, Veer Zaara, the extraordinary Black, Bunty Aur Babli, Paheli, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Saawariya – and yet this year, her career has suddenly fallen flat.
“Rani is going through the leanest patch of her career and she expected Adi to stand by her,” a source recently said. “But seeing her sagging brand value, Adi chose to concentrate on what sells rather than his obligations to a friend.” Being snubbed by Yashraj eventually led to a stormy confrontation, it’s rumoured, between Rani and Adi and they stopped talking for several days but have since made it up. “Aditya eventually initiated reconciliation and called a meeting,” the source continues, “Since then they are back to being the same good friends that they have always been.”
How quickly the tide can change in Bollywood. As recently as 2006, Rani was saying, “I’m glad people are finally recognising me. For too long people who loved me felt dejected when at every awards function I’d be giving awards. Now I’m finally getting them.” – but this year’s cupboard has been bare.
