Overview

• Rani Mukerji won Best Actress at the 71st National Film Awards for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, her first National Award in a three-decade career.
• Her mother, Krishna Mukherjee, said the accolade arrived very late and felt Rani should have been honoured earlier for Black.
• Brother Raja Mukherjee called the win a proud family moment and described seeing his younger sister receive the honour as a “different high.”
• Rani said winning after so many years was extra special and noted that disputes over some winners can dilute an award’s value when merit is questioned.
• She recalled learning of the win on the day she inaugurated her new office and said the timing felt like a blessing from her late father; the ceremony also saw Shah Rukh Khan receive his first National Award for Jawan.