Rani Mukerji believes her 2012 romantic drama Aiyyaa was far ahead of its time and didn’t receive the appreciation it truly deserved. Looking back, the actress feels that if the film were released today, it would strike a strong chord with Gen Z audiences and emerge as a cult favourite—or even a box-office success.
In an exclusive conversation with Zoom, Rani reflected on the quirky film and described it as one of the most enjoyable experiences of her career. “I love Aiyyaa. I’ve had the most fun shooting this film,” she said, reminiscing about filming in Pune. She also spoke fondly of her collaboration with actors from the Marathi film industry, calling them immensely talented and deeply inspiring.
Discussing what made Aiyyaa stand apart, Rani highlighted its unconventional premise and playful tone. “The story was so quirky. Imagine falling in love with somebody who smells good,” she said with a laugh. According to the actress, the film broke norms by openly portraying female desire—something rarely seen in mainstream Hindi cinema at the time.
Rani believes this is precisely why the film struggled to find its audience back then. “It was way ahead of its time. If it released today, Gen Z would’ve made it a superhit,” she stated. She explained that Aiyyaa was among the first Hindi films to show that it’s okay for women to fantasise and express attraction without guilt or judgment.
She added that themes explored in the film are far more acceptable today. “For Gen Z, these ideas are very normal now. But at that time, they weren’t,” Rani said. “The film talked about how it’s okay to fantasise and be open about desire—that was new for Hindi cinema.”
Directed by Sachin Kundalkar, Aiyyaa tells the story of Meenakshi Deshpande, a Marathi woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she falls for Surya, a mysterious Tamil artist played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Drawn to him by his intoxicating scent, Meenakshi’s journey unfolds through surreal humour, vibrant music, and unapologetic fantasy, making the film truly unique.
On the professional front, Rani Mukerji is currently back on the big screen with Mardaani 3, which released in theatres today. The film marks her return as DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy in Yash Raj Films’ popular female-led cop franchise. This time, Shivani joins the NIA to take on a ruthless beggar mafia network and rescue missing girls. Early reactions to the film have been positive, reaffirming Rani’s strong screen presence.