Rani Mukerji won her first-ever National Film this year for her performance in the film, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway (2023). The actor opened up recently about not winning the award for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005) and shared how her father was disappointed when she didn’t win.

Speaking at an event in Delhi, Rani said, “I gave my all in Black, and I was all 25 at that time when I did that film. There was chatter that I would win, and when I didn't win, that's when my blinkers came on. I was like 'even when you do your best work, things might not be in your favour.'"

She added, “When things are meant to happen, they happen. I've to be honest and tell you that my father was very disappointed. My baba (father) was very heartbroken that I didn't win that year. So was Sanjay, who was the director of the film. But, I guess when things are meant to happen, they happen. The way India and my fans cheered for me, it couldn't have been better than that.”

Rani dedicated her National Award this year to her father. “I miss him deeply today, and I know it's his blessing and my mother's constant strength and inspiration that guided me through the role of Mrs Chatterjee,” said the actor after receiving the award.

Rani played the role of a mother in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, which was inspired by the life of Sagarika Chakraborty, an Indian mother whose children were taken away by Norwegian child welfare services in 2011.

Rani will be seen next in the crime-thriller, Mardaani 3. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the film is set to be released in theatres on February 2026.