When Rani Mukerji’s Mother Said She Should Have Got National Award For Black After Her First Win Last Year
Rani Mukerji's mother Krishna Mukerji said she deserved a National Award for Black, starring Amitabh Bachchan and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
When Rani Mukerji’s Mother Said She Should Have Got National Award For Black After Her First Win Last Year
Rani Mukerji’s journey in Hindi cinema reached a major milestone in 2025 when she won her first National Award for Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. However, her mother, Krishna Mukerji, believed the prestigious honour should have come much earlier. She had specifically felt that Rani deserved the National Award for her acclaimed performance in Black, the 2005 film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The comments resurfaced following the death of Rani Mukerji’s mother Krishna Mukerji on September 22, 2026, at the age of 75. Yash Raj Films confirmed the news on behalf of the family and requested privacy during the difficult period. Krishna had remained an important influence in Rani’s life and career, and the actress had often spoken about her close relationship with her mother.
Rani Mukerji’s First National Award Came After Three Decades
Rani Mukerji received her first National Award at the 71st National Film Awards in 2025 for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. The recognition came after more than three decades in the film industry and celebrated her portrayal of an Indian mother fighting to regain custody of her children.
While Krishna Mukerji was delighted by her daughter’s achievement, she openly felt that the honour had arrived late. During a conversation at a Durga Puja pandal in Mumbai in 2025, she said she was happy that Rani had finally received the National Award but believed her daughter should have received it for Black.
Her comments reflected the pride of a mother who had closely followed Rani’s acting career from its early days.
Why Krishna Mukerji Mentioned Black
Released in 2005, Black became one of the most acclaimed films of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s career. The movie starred Rani Mukerji as Michelle McNally, a woman who is deaf, mute and blind, while Amitabh Bachchan played Debraj Sahai, her teacher.
The story, inspired in part by the life and writings of Helen Keller, explored Michelle’s relationship with her teacher and her struggle to communicate with the world around her. Rani’s performance was widely discussed for its emotional intensity and physical transformation into the character.
Interestingly, Black itself did receive National Awards. Amitabh Bachchan won Best Actor, while the film also received the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and Best Costume Design. Rani, however, did not receive the Best Actress honour for the film.
Rani Mukerji Also Spoke About Not Winning For Black
The subject was not only important to Krishna Mukerji. Rani herself later reflected on the disappointment of not receiving a National Award for Black.
In a 2025 interview with India Today, Rani said that she had accepted the result and decided to continue working hard rather than allowing the disappointment to affect her career. She described the experience as a lesson in patience and perseverance.
In January 2026, Rani again spoke about the matter while discussing her 30 years in cinema. She recalled that not winning for Black had affected her parents emotionally, particularly because they had supported her acting journey from the beginning.
Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black Legacy
The continued discussion around Black also highlights the film’s lasting place in Hindi cinema. Amitabh Bachchan was recognised with a National Award for his performance as Debraj, while Sanjay Leela Bhansali received acclaim for the film’s direction and storytelling.
For Rani, however, the absence of a National Award for Black became part of a longer professional journey. Nearly two decades later, her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway finally brought her the coveted recognition.
Krishna Mukerji’s Words Remain Significant
Krishna Mukerji’s comments about the National Award carried particular significance because they came from someone who had witnessed Rani’s career from close quarters. She celebrated the eventual recognition while also expressing her long-held belief that Black deserved consideration.
Her passing in September 2026 has brought renewed attention to those words and to the special relationship between Rani and her mother. Krishna’s pride in her daughter’s achievements remains an important part of Rani Mukerji’s career story.
Ultimately, Rani’s National Award for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway represents recognition that arrived after a long journey, while Black remains one of the performances that continues to be discussed when looking back at her most memorable work.
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