Rani Mukerji reveals childhood dream: 'Wanted to make my parents happy'
Synopsis
Rani Mukerji's most revealing moment on 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' wasn't about stardom — it was about a child who quietly stopped asking her mother for things she knew the family couldn't afford. That restrained ambition, she says, is what drove her to 'become somebody big.'
Key Takeaways
Rani Mukerji revealed her childhood ambition on Simi Garewal 's talk show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' .
She said she always wanted to 'become somebody big' primarily to make her parents happy and provide for them.
Mukerji described consciously avoiding requests she knew her mother could not fulfil, reflecting an early emotional maturity.
She is next set to appear in 'King' , directed by Siddharth Anand and produced under Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures . 'King' marks the first on-screen pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan , alongside an ensemble cast.
Rani Mukerji, one of Bollywood's most celebrated actresses, once opened up about her childhood ambitions, revealing that her earliest motivation was not fame but a deep desire to make her parents proud. The candid disclosure came during her appearance on Simi Garewal's iconic talk show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'.
What Rani Said About Growing Up
When Garewal asked her directly, 'What did you want to be when you grew up?', Mukerji replied, 'I always wanted to become somebody big. I had this thing in me that I wanted to make my parents really happy. I wanted to give them the best in the world. And like if I would go to a shop, I would want to buy everything and not have a problem buying anything that I want.'
The 'Maardani' actress elaborated that her childhood self was acutely aware of her family's limitations. 'I would never want to hurt her by asking for something which I knew she wouldn't give me. So I used to tell myself that when I grew up, I wanted to do something in life so that I keep my parents happy, give them the best,' she said.
A Maturity Beyond Her Years
Mukerji also noted that she had been unusually mature from a young age — choosing to suppress her own desires rather than place an emotional or financial burden on her mother. This self-restraint, she suggested, was what quietly shaped her ambition and work ethic as she grew older.
The 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' star's reflections offer a rare glimpse into the personal drive behind one of Bollywood's most enduring careers, spanning over two decades and a string of critically acclaimed performances.
What's Next for Rani Mukerji
On the professional front, Mukerji is set to appear in the highly anticipated drama 'King', starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The film is directed by Siddharth Anand and jointly produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, and Mamta Anand under the banners of Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
Notably, 'King' will mark the first on-screen collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan. The ensemble cast also includes Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Arshad Warsi, making it one of the most star-studded productions in recent memory.
Point of View
Mukerji is positioning herself for a high-visibility return in one of the industry's most-watched productions.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rani Mukerji say she wanted to be when she grew up?
Rani Mukerji said she always wanted to 'become somebody big' — not for personal glory, but to make her parents happy and provide them with the best. She shared this on Simi Garewal's talk show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'.
On which show did Rani Mukerji make this revelation?
She made the revelation on 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal', the long-running celebrity interview show hosted by Simi Garewal. The show is known for its intimate, candid conversations with Bollywood personalities.
What is Rani Mukerji's upcoming film?
Rani Mukerji is set to appear in 'King', a drama directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, and Mamta Anand under Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
Who else is in the cast of 'King'?
The cast of 'King' includes Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Arshad Warsi. The film notably marks the first on-screen collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan.
What did Rani Mukerji say about her childhood maturity?
Mukerji said she was quite mature as a child, consciously choosing not to ask her mother for things she knew the family could not afford, so as not to cause her mother distress. She described this self-restraint as the foundation of her drive to succeed.
