RANI SPEAKS OUT

With a small frame and a million watt smile, Rani Mukherjee knows to charm her viewers in real as well as reel life.

Her recent release might not have rocked the box-office, but she comes up with that million watt smile of hers. It is easy to see that she is happy. Ask her about her failing act before her present release, and pat comes the reply, “We actors are like vagabonds. We accustom ourselves to the surroundings, and go so deep that we need time to come out. People feel it’s so simple to make a movie. I like giving my best to a movie I work in. I want my work to speak volumes, and for that I have to give my it my 100 per cent. That is why I was away from the scene.”

While others in the industry describe her as one of the most versatile actresses, Rani wants to surprise everyone every time. “I like giving my audience their paisa vasooli. I want to do an action film which will get my adrenaline high, do something I have never done before. I want to do a real Indian martial art film. We have a martial art culture down south and even Punjabi martial art is so interesting. Nobody ever shows that. There are some TV shows where they came with such fighting styles. They really intrigue me,” she says.

What makes her do soft romantic comedies in general? “I am a feel good movie freak. You’ll see me more in romantic comedies. But now, I want to push myself for more difficult roles. For instance, it was pretty challenging to play a boy. I went through rigorous training to get my act together. And the funniest part is none of the critics have spoken about it,” says she. In other words, she has a disappointment in her heart. But, that does not show.

I CAN'T AFFORD AN IPL TEAM: RANI MUKHERJI

So what are the Bollywood actress’s main concerns right now?

She took tips from Shah Rukh Khan to appreciate cricket for her role in Dil Bole Hadippa, but Rani Mukherji has no meaning of following her good friend's footsteps by bidding for an Indian Premier League (IPL) team.

"I can't afford it... I don't have so much money. There is no chance that I can buy an IPL team," Rani told IANS in an interview in New Delhi.

"Right now I don't even think that I can take up so much responsibility because everything of that sort means more responsibilities. I am quite happy doing what I am doing right now," she added.

IPL is quite popular among Bollywood stars - while Shah Rukh owns Kolkata Knight Riders along with Juhi Chawla, Preity Zinta has Kings XI Punjab and Shilpa Shetty bought stakes in Rajasthan Royals along with boyfriend Raj Kundra.

Salman Khan too is reportedly going to bid for a team this year.

Leave alone IPL, Rani says a big "no-no" to venturing into other facets of filmmaking, such as production or direction, like some of her superstar colleagues.

"Again with production comes a very big responsibility and so is with direction and I don't think I am ready for that as of now," she said.

What's on her mind right now is having a blast during Durga Puja.

"I am just hoping I can have a great time with my family and celebrate Durga Puja as I used to celebrate it as a kid. This time luckily I have kept no commitments during that time; so I am just hoping that this year I'll have a blast," Rani said.

Asked if she had any plans of visiting Kolkata for pandal hopping, the actress said: "I'll be in Mumbai... I always celebrate Durga Pujo in Mumbai only."

Unlike other A-list actresses, Rani is not brand conscious when it comes to her wardrobe. And she has no brand preferences either.

"There's nothing special...basically I love wearing good clothes. I walk into a shop and I buy anything I feel I'll look good in. In any case, having a toned body always feels great."

Her latest outing Dil Bole Hadippa! may have got mixed responses from both audiences and critics, but that has not deterred the actress's confidence.

"I have always done different things. I've done a Black that somebody would think twice before doing and now this. I take up challenging roles as that really excites me as an actor.

"For me it's very integral that I choose a character which is special for the audience as well as me," Rani said.

RANI KA DIL BOLE HADIPPA

Rani Mukerji is back this week after over a year with Dil Bole Hadippa. The dazzling actress who has done a wonderful job in the film, talks about her new body and glamorous image and her outlook from the film.

On her new look and toned body

When you tone your body, you feel confident about showy your body and wearing certain clothes. It’s not that I haven’t shown off my midriff or my legs before but I worked on acquiring an athletic body and wanted to show it off.

My character Veera has very limited scope to come in different avatars and even Veer is covered from top to bottom. It was the team’s idea to flaunt my body in the music video because I had worked so hard on it. The movie didn’t give me the scope to show off how hard I worked. The music video where we have taken some liberties, gave me the opportunity to show off. It wasn’t on the agenda at first; I just went with the flow during the making of Hadippa. Working out for an athletic body, putting on a beard and playing cricket well were equally difficult but you need to go through the grind if you want to reap the benefits.

Being an Indian actress you have to be glamourous also and people have got a chance to see a new side of me.

On the response to her new look

People have been extremely kind. I have got wonderful and wondrous compliments from a lot of people I have met and even on the internet. I worked very hard so it feels good.

On her expectations from the film and being a regular feature in YRF productions

I only want my audience to like my work. If they enjoy my work in the film, I have won my battle.

This film is for my fans who like to see me doing comedy and being happy. It’s a big compliment to be called a resident Yash Raj heroine but I want to do roles that are worth my while. YRF has offered me great roles that allow me to push my boundaries as an actress.

RANI'S SEXY IN HER BIKINI

Believe it or not, but the whole ‘bikini top ‘n’ skimpy shorts’ avatar in short — grand Rani Mukerji’s hot new bod wasn’t her idea. Not even the producer or director had something to do with it.

After she realised how much she had toned up (to play a male cricketer in Dil Bole Hadippa!), Rani just happened to talk about this idea with her designer friend Manish Malhotra. And from there on it was Manish’s game plan, after all, he’s altered many a Bollywood girl in to glam queens. He recommended that it would be a pity to waste such a well-toned body by not showing it off. That’s how the idea of a special song was born. And is she looking hot? Talk about her ‘shapely’ success, and Rani says, “Believe me, I didn’t starve at all. I love my food, especially rice and sweets. There was no way I was giving up all that. So, I just worked out harder and was occasionally allowed my ‘cheat’ meals of rice, sweets, etc. And I’m happy. All gain, no sacrifice.” Imagine our Bong tigress on a ghaas-phoos diet? That’s not fair to such a beauty, na?

RANI DAZZLES AT TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL

‘Dil Bole Hadippa’ premieres at the event. “Dil Bole Hadippa", became the first Bollywood film to premiere at the enduring Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) before its release in India.

Present in Toronto, Canada, was the film’s leading lady Rani Mukerji and debutant director Anurag Singh. Seen here is the duo posing for a portrait during the “Dil Bole Hadippa" photo call at The Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto on September 13.

“I am over the moon at this opportunity given to 'Dil Bole Hadippa',” Anurag Singh had said earlier. He surely is looking pleased, but it’s Rani we can’t help admiring. We rarely see in a gown, she’s looking stunning.

‘DIL BOLE HADIPPA’ IRKS SIKH COMMUNITY

They mainly have two objections. “Dil Bole Hadippa” is the latest victim of the Sikh community’s ire, after “Singh is Kinng” and “Love Aaj Kal”.

The Sikh community has two issues with the movie.

One objection is with Rani Mukerji’s character in the film. She plays an adult character but wears a ‘patka’. Ideally all adults are supposed to wear a turban and not a ‘patka’, which is for young boys.

Secondly they are upset with the way the title of the film is written on the posters.

The posters show a ‘patka’ sign in place of a dot on letter ‘I’ in the title word “Hadippa”.

The Punjabi Cultural and Heritage Board has raised a furore against these issues. The chief of the Board, Charan Singh Sapra, has also met the producers Yash Raj Films to sort out the issues.

Sources close to YRF said that they have full respect for the Sikh community and hence they have addressed all their concerns. Also the objectionable portions from the film have been deleted and new posters with the necessary changes are ready for release.

RANI SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE

Actress Rani Mukherji may have a busy to-do list, but she’s always ready to make time for what’s close to her heart.

Today she will launch Design One — a two-day exhibition, a shopping show with an imposing and innovative group of fashion, jewellery, couture accessories, home decor, gift ideas, packaging, fresh exotic flowers, gourmet food and more. Seven NGOs will showcase their products at the exhibition. An initiative of Sahachari Foundation Events, Design One is dedicated to Apne Aap Women’s Collective, an NGO engaged in grassroot level work to educate children of women in prostitution to give them a better life.

Rani told BT, “I whole heartedly support the noble cause of girl child education and the outstanding effort made by the women of Sahachari Foundation.”

Sahachari, a charitable foundation, was established by 11 women driven by a zeal to employ their collective strengths and resources for the betterment of the lives of those less fortunate.

Design One, supported by Bapalal Keshavlal, IndusInd Bank and Times Foundation, will be held at Expo Hall, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade. It will start today at 4 pm and go on till 8 pm, and will continue tomorrow from 10 am to 8 pm.

THE SECRET OF RANI'S WEIGHT LOSS

Rani's new look in Dil Bole Hadippa.Yoga expert Payal Gidwani made Kareena Kapoor do 50 Surya Namaskars at a stretch till her plump figure reduced to size zero for Tashan. The size zero fact took Kareena’s status to dizzying heights. The same lady has now helped Rani Mukerji shed heaps of weight to look hot and sexy in the promos of Dil Bole Hadippa.

For Rani’s latest film, Dil Bole Hadippa, both the ladies have worked as a team to get the hot body which will help Rani to set silver screens on fire again. Everyone is talking about how thin Rani has become. Rani’s Yoga sessions began on April 16th, 2008. She weighed 56 kilos which made her 5’2” frame look heavy. After months of Yoga, she weighs 49 kilos today, which is the perfect weight for her height. About Rani’s body type, Payal says, “At first Rani had a heavy lower body. She could only do 5-10 Suryanamaskars and had very weak nerves in her body. As a result, stretching would lead to cramps.”

“To increase her cardiovascular patience, I had to integrate simple cardio exercises like walking up and down the stairs of her Juhu bungalow,” says the Yoga expert. “Now Rani has not only lost the extra kilos but she can easily do 100 Suryanamaskars, 2000-2500 Kapalbhati repetitions in one go, she holds on to Asanas for one minute and her breathing technique has improved greatly. There is a glow on her face. All of this was possible because of Rani’s dedication and hard work, praises Payal, adding, “She practiced Yoga for two hours faithfully every morning. Yoga has helped her elongate her muscles and maintain a fit figure.”

So if you have been going gag-ga over Rani’s slim torso poured into glamourous Manish Malhotra bikinis in the remix version of Dil Bole Hadippa, you know a lot of effort and sweat went into achieving that sexy and slim look.

LOOK AT: RANI IN A BIKINI

The video of the remix version of Dil Bole Hadippa, which is suggestive of Break Free and Dhoom Again, features a super slim Rani Mukherjee in bikini tops and mini skirts.

The video has been choreographed by Ahmed Khan, who also the Mere Sang and Yaaron remixed videos. Rani’s costumes have been designed by Manish Malhotra, who also worked on her look in the Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte video.

A source tells us, “Shahid is a luminous and energetic dancer and Rani, who is also a charming dancer has matched him step for step. It has been a while since we saw her dancing like this. The promotional video is likely to be used at the end of the film.”

Our source continues, “So far we have seen Rani in Sardarni and cricketer avatars in the movie. This is her other look. The film already has wanna shine starlets Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra doing item numbers with a lot of skin show but clearly, they don’t have Rani’s class, elegance and star power. Rani doesn’t look vulgar or cheap at all. Almost all YRF movies have their heroines in bikinis; take the Dhoom flicks, Tashan and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic for example. The actresses have lost weight for their roles and Rani is no exception. She has lost a lot of weight and it shows. The last time she wore a costume was in Chalte Chalte.”

Payal Gidwani, who made Kareena achieve her size zero figure has helped Rani with her Yoga routine too. She told us, “Rani weighed 56 kilos but now she weighs only 49. Her hard work has paid off and the results are for everyone to see. Her problem was her lower area but now the formation of her body has changed. Her metabolism and stamina have also increased. There is a glow on her face and she looks great. She doesn’t miss a single Yoga session even if she is traveling and practices for 2 hours every morning.”