Rani, the bubbly girl with her effervescing smile, husky voice and twinkling eyes has won a place in the hearts of the Hindi moviegoers. She comes from a filmy family of Bengali origin. Her father, Ram Mukherjee is a retired director, mother Krishna used to be a playback singer and her brother Raja Mukherjee is a film producer. Kajol, another equally successful actress is her second cousin. Rani puts loads of concentration and tremendous personal effort in the roles she plays. 

Rani made her debut in Bollywood with the movie 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat' in 1996. The film did not do well at the box-office, but she got noticed. However, her first hit 'Ghulam' (1998) opposite Aamir Khan, brought her  instant fame followed by her second hit 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' the same year which became the most commercially successful movie of 1998. She rose to stardom playing a college bombshell in the movie and also won her first Filmfare Award 

Rani was proud to be associated with actor-director Kamal Haasan and was thrilled to have his film 'Hey Ram' (2000), which was India's official entry to the 2001 Oscars, in her lap. But the film did not propel her career to the extent she had expected. Then she appeared in a number of movies, some doing average business and some flops. The ones in which she got more appreciation were Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega (2000), Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002). Meanwhile in the personal front, her relationship with Govinda became quiet a hot topic of discussion amongst colleagues and the press.

Her career took a new dimension in 2002 when 'Saathiya' opposite Vivek Oberoi became a hit. She won the Filmfare Best actress critics award for her performance as a medical student who gets married to the one she loves without her parents consent. In 2003, she had another hit 'Chalte Chalte' (co-star Shah Rukh Khan) . The year 2004 started very well for Rani. She earned tremendous praise and critical acclaim for her performance in Yuva. She secured her position with yet another Box Office hit, Hum Tum. Then came  Veer-Zaara which was again the most accomplished movie of 2004.

Rani's first release for 2005 was Black (a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie) in which she plays the role of a blind girl. Her outstanding performance in the film, her best till date, has been highly acclaimed by the critics. Next she was seen in a bubbly avatar in Bunty aur Babli (2005) and the movie became a big hit in box-office. Her Mangal Pandey didn't do well at the Box Office but Rani got noticed in the role of a prostitute. Her next film was Paheli, India's official entry to the 2005 Oscars.

Rani is an active performer in many stage shows and also has made strong efforts to encourage the jawans who guard our countries hostile borders. She is also the "brand ambassador" for various products like Nestle Munch, Fanta etc. Rani's career has gone into high gear in the last few years. It is obvious that she is now the reigning queen of Bollywood.