Bollywood diva Rani Mukerji, who has managed to become one of the leading actresses in the Hindi cinema with her long list of contributions to the same, turned 35 years on Thursday.

Born to the Mukherjee-Samarth family, she made her acting debut with a supporting role in the Bengali film 'Biyer Phool' in 1992, while she was still in school.

Undoubtedly, one of the top actresses of today, she began a full-time career in Bollywood with the 1997 social drama 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat', and subsequently featured in Karan Johar's blockbuster romance 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998) starring Shah Rukh Khan.

Her performance in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' won her a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She also tasted commercial success with her film 'Ghulam', where Mukerji was cast opposite Aamir Khan, as the female lead.

For her work in the 2002 relationship drama 'Saathiya', she won her first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.

Having worked with all four Khans of Bollywood- Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan, Mukherji boasts of learning the craft from each of them.

Infact, delivering a matured on-screen character, Mukerji has also provided the ease and comfort to her co-stars while working on films.

In 2004, her performances in the hit romantic comedy 'Hum Tum' and the critically acclaimed drama 'Yuva' earned her the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards, respectively, at the 50th Filmfare Awards.


Her performance opposite to legendary Amitabh Bachchan in 'Black' not only received unanimous praise for her portrayal of a blind, deaf and mute woman, but her performance also earned her two more Filmfare Awards: Best Actress and Actress - Critics.

In Yash Chopra's period romance 'Veer-Zaara', where she reunited with Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta, Mukerji won a lot of critical acclaim not only in India but even from Pakistan. The film emerged as a major commercial success, grossing Rs.94 crore worldwide

She went on to play leading roles in the comedy film 'Bunty Aur Babli' (2005) and the adult drama 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (2006), both of which emerged as major economic successes in India and overseas.

Trying her acting skill in almost all genres, she has also earned praise for her portrayal of a headstrong journalist in 'No One Killed Jessica', and the film won her a Best Supporting Actress award at Filmfare.

Mukerji was recently seen playing the role of a grieving mother in 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within' (2012), where she was cast opposite Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor.