Rani Mukerji wears Sabyasachi saree, sports daughter Adira's name at 71st National Awards

Bollywood superstar Rani Mukerji received her first National Award on Tuesday, September 23. She was honoured with the Best Actress award for her impressive performance in the Bollywood movie Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (2023).

For the special evening, Rani draped a mocha-coloured Sabyasachi saree. She handpicked the handwoven and hand-dyed Benarasi saree and paired it with a handwoven satin ‘Katan’ silk blouse. While she looked stunning in the outfit, it was a nod to her daughter Adira, that won everyone over. Rani sported a delicate gold chain featuring Adira's name, giving a glimpse of her love for her daughter.

Actress Rani Mukerji dedicated the award to her late father, her family, fans and the team of Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. Talking about the win, she said, "I'm truly overwhelmed to receive my first National Award in my 30-year journey as an actor. This honour means the world to me, and I want to dedicate it to my late father, who always dreamt of this moment for me. I miss him deeply today, and I know it’s his blessing and my mother’s constant strength and inspiration that guided me through the role of Mrs. Chatterjee."

"To my incredible fans, thank you for being by my side through every high and low. Your unwavering love and support has been my greatest motivation. I know how much this award means to all of you, and it brings me immense joy and happiness to see how happy you are," added the Mardaani star.

"I share this award with my brilliant director, Ashima, my producers Nikkhil, Monisha, and Madhu, and everyone at Zee who brought this film together. Above all, I thank my entire cast and crew from Estonia and India, without whom this film could not have been made, especially during the challenges of the COVID period. The entire team of Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway poured their hearts into this powerful story, and I’m deeply grateful to each one of them." 

"This award is also a tribute to all the mothers around the world—their strength, courage and unconditional love. Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway is a story that moved me deeply because it captures the unbreakable spirit of an immigrant mother, fighting against all odds in a foreign land to protect her child. As a mother myself, this role was incredibly personal. Through this film, we tried to honour the spirit of motherhood, and I hope it serves as a reminder of the quiet power women carry within them every single day," concluded Rani.

On the professional front, Rani Mukerji is busy filming the third installment of the Mardaani franchise. Mardaani 3 has now begun shooting, and based on the latest update by the makers, the movie will have a 2026 release.