by Subhash K Jha

Rani can't stop celebrating. She's just been signed for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's new film.

"When Sanjay told I'm in Saawariya I felt ten feet tall. Not too many actors get to work with him more than once. I don't care what my role in Saawariya is. Just being part of it is an honour and a joy," Rani exults in her new triumph.

She has just been laden with a truck-load of awards for her performance in Sanjay Bhansali's Black. "You know I can't tell you how proud and happy my family and I were when at the Filmfare awards Sanjay announced I was the best actress we have today. It made me cry. Only Sanjay is capable of such largesse. In one sentence he gave me all the love and blessings."

She cannot stop talking about her favourite director. "The joy of working with Sanjay is unique. Every actor he works with feels so special. Now it's Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam's turn to feel special. I'm blessed to have him in my life. I was always a fan of his work.

To actually work with him was a dream come true. I came to know he's as fine a person as he's my friend. He's now integral to my life. And will be there as long as I live. I share a really high comfort level with both Sanjay and his sister Bela.

There's a lot of similarities between his family life and mine. He will always be part of my life even when I have my own husband and kids. I can see Sanjay coming to my kids' birthday parties. What I share with him is unique."

Talk veers to Black. "It has definitely changed my life, and not just as an actress. I can't thank Sanjay enough. It has fetched me love from all over the world. I just hope this feeling of being wanted and loved remains all my life. I haven't allowed my success to go to my head because I never got it easily. I'm scared if I don't continue to work hard it will be taken away from me."