Warrior woman returns

RANI MUKERJI GOES BACK INTO BATTLE AS THE BRAVE SUPER COP IN MARDAANI 2

by ASJAD NAZIR

IN 2014, Rani Mukerji threw a stick of dynamite into Bollywood with police thriller Mardaani and helped to redefine the Hindi film heroine with her explosive role of Shivani Shivaji Roy.

She returns to the big screen as the fearless police officer in the equally incendiary Mardaani 2 and is this time on the trail of an evil murdering rapist terrorising a city. The popular actress has once again given her all in the massively demanding film powered by girl power and one that shows she is still very much at the top of her game.

Eastern Eye caught up with husky voiced Bollywood icon Rani Mukerji to talk about Mardaani 2, girl power, self defence and the India crisis of so many women getting attacked.

My highlight from Mardaani was the awesome finale fight scene, what was yours?

For me it was learning martial arts Krav Maga in preparation for that role. That was interesting because I discovered that Krav Maga is taught in Israel to teach women what are the various methods of self-defence to protect themselves. I feel in India that is the need of the hour, where we need to teach young girls and women Krav Maga. I learned a few tricks while preparing for the action sequences. It’s empowering and important, when we are faced with a threat and uncomfortable situation, we can stand up and protect our dignity.

What initially led you to the Mardaani journey?

Mardaani was born because of the anger that resonated in all of us after the (Delhi gang rape) Nirbhaya case in India. As a nation, we were all really shattered, angered and everyone was trying to do their bit to try and bring about a change. As an artist, I found Mardaani as a way of channelling my anger through the film. The film was born out of that anger we were all feeling.

What about Mardaani 2 journey?

Mardaani 2 happened because of the love and respect we had received for the first part. There were talks for a sequel, but Gopi (Puthran) the writer and my husband (producer) Adi (Aditya Chopra) were very clear that till such time we don’t find content that is important and relevant enough to put out there for people there is no point in doing a Mardaani 2. With all the rapes that have happened in India after the Nirbhaya case, this story is actually inspired by all those stories. We thought there should be an important messaging through the film. It also speaks about the juvenile criminals. I think through this film we are also trying to make more women aware about what threats that lie around every corner.

It seems as if your character is even tougher in Mardaani 2?

Shivani Shivaji Roy is the same character I am taking forward from Mardaani. In Mardaani, I played a crime branch officer, so she is mostly in disguise and undercover because that’s how they nab criminals most of the time. In Mardaani 2, she has been promoted to superintendent of police, which is like a police commissioner, so she is more in her khaki uniform. She is battling law and order head on. In that uniform, she is on the front line. Each crime and the way it is committed, she will do what she feels fit, which means, you’ll find her tougher, but she is the same character.

Is this character more physically or emotionally demanding for you as an artist?

I would say both Asjad, because this film deals with real life incidents and you know these kinds of things are actually happening. It’s a very relevant story and deals with things that are real, so it does sometimes emotionally drain you to actually think about that. There is a kind of frustration about the fact people are behaving demonically like this when committing these crimes. It takes a toll on your mind and heart. Off course, it is physically demanding because I am playing a police officer, so I need to show that tough side. I have to show her entire gait – the way she stands, walks, carries herself. It is very close to what a real police officer is.

It seems like you are up against another powerful villain in Mardaani 2?

More than the fact we are showing a powerful villain, we are showing how criminals today are faceless and don’t come within a certain age group or look, you know. Looks can be deceiving and anyone who is looking innocent can be having wrong notions about how they can harm you, so I think more than powerful that person is really evil.

You show a real inner power as Shivani Shivaji Roy, where does that inner fire come from?

The power would be a rising anger that I have against these crimes that are happening. As a woman, you feel really sad and helpless at times, and think how do we help and what more can we do to make women aware of this ongoing and rising threat we are all faced with day to day. Today women are independent, working till the night and travelling by themselves. They have no choice, but to let their lives go on you know even after such incidents that come to light. You can’t stop living your life and just be locked in your house. You have to go about living your life, so it’s just thinking about solutions on what can we do to basically start a dialogue or conversation. How do we talk about the safety of women and keep them safe.

Will there be a Mardaani 3?

I haven’t thought about that yet. I am just waiting for Mardaani 2 to get released on December 13 and looking forward to seeing how the audience will react to the film. If it does get the love and adulation Mardaani one got I am sure we will think of part three. I think the core of the franchise will be Shivani Shivaji Roy being representative of women empowerment. I think it is nice for an actor to showcase a woman police officer of today.

You are a symbol of girl power, what advice would you give young girls today?

My only advice would be to just be aware of your surroundings. Please listen to your instincts about people, and do what is really safe for you because today no matter how much you know the person you are with you are not hundred per cent sure that you are not going to be cheated. So it is important to learn some techniques of self-defence. A few things to just help you get out of a difficult situation you could be in at a moment in time. It is important to try and even see some self-defence videos. Try and take up classes that could help you, on how to protect yourself.

I would love to see you revisit your character from No One Killed Jessica. If you could revisit any of your characters, which one would it be?

I haven’t really thought about it. That is a good question. Yes that was one interesting character. I look ahead to the future and see what new interesting characters come my way. It is always good to explore something new. I do enjoy playing Shivani Shivaji Roy, but lets see what happens in the future.

Can you give a message to your fans?

Be happy and have a really good time because life is just too precious. Every second and every day of life is important. Please spend time with loved ones, eat good happy healthy meals, have an ice cream and pastries once in a while, indulge, be happy and go watch my film on December 13.

Mardaani 2 is in cinemas now