New Delhi: In one of the first scenes in 'Mardaani', Rani Mukerji is shown in an undercover avatar, wearing a typical Maharashtrian sari, complete with earrings, bindi, bangles and her hair in a simple plait. She carries a blue cloth bag (the kind used to buy and carry vegetables) -- but with a difference. She keeps a gun in it.
The story obviously contains spoiler for the film 'Mardaani'. Do not proceed if you haven't seen the film.
Speaking casually to her colleagues and gently dissing her bosses, Mukerji as Shivani Shivji Roy is earnest, feisty and most importantly, believable as a senior police officer with the Mumbai Crime Branch. She effortlessly flits between her roles as a doting maushi (aunt) to an orphaned niece, dedicated wife to a doctor husband and an earnest, efficient cop.
While films like 'Singham', 'Dabangg', 'Dabangg 2' and 'Singham Returns' have glorified the power of a police officer, his standard as a professional, his prowess as a muscular man and his dedication as a boyfriend/husband, 'Mardaani' leaves the audience free to interpret Shivani's capabilities. Rather than showing how much she loves her husband, the tears of anger, hurt and desperation that roll down her eyes as her husband's face is blackened over false charges, move the audiences at a more deeper level. Rather than giving impassioned speeches about her work ethics, 'Mardaani' director Pradeep Sarkar makes Rani do things that are beyond the call of her duty.
Shivani Shivaji Roy might not wear cool aviators -- in one scene she actually tries one and rejects them -- or sport impressive physical prowess, Mukerji shines in her role as the dedicated police officer.
We think it is one of the strengths of the film that all the characters are kept so rooted, real and believable.
Take a bow, Rani Mukerji, this is one of your best films. And a kick-ass comeback.
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