The petite actress has always 'wanted to be famous'. Her father Ram Mukjherjee was the founder and director of Filmalaya Studios and her actress cousin Kajol is a reputed actress.

Rani was still in high school when filmmaker Salim Akhtar signed her for the social drama Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat. Her performance was appreciated but the film sank.

Vikram Bhatt's Ghulam opposite Aamir Khan, followed, and the ditty Aati kya Khandala became a nationwide rage. She appeared in a cameo in Karan Johar’s directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, with seasoned actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. But in her brief role, Rani underlined her presence.

The film was a smashing success.

Her subsequent releases Mehendi and Hello Brother were BO washouts. And her pairing with Govinda was disastrous, as Hadh Kar Di Aapne and Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai flopped.

Rani was in superb from in Kamal Haasan's Hey! Ram, but the film didn't go down well with the audience. Her performance in Bichchoo too was appreciated.

Somehow, BO success seemed to evade her films. Hyped films like Shankar's Nayak, Goldie Behl's Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, K Murali Mohan Rao's Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, all crumbled.

Then she teamed up with Preity Zinta in Raj Kanwar's Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and Abbas Mustan's Chori Chori Chupke Chupke clicked wonderfully. The duo became good friends during the making of these films and their terrific chemistry showed onscreen.

Rani has always believed in selective roles. Which is why you haven't seen much of her on screen besides a special appearance in Karan Johar's second film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kunal Kohli's Mujhse DostI Karoge with Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

You will soon see her in the much-delayed Chori Chori and Shaad Ali's Saathiya with Vivek Oberoi, a remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil hit Alai Payuthey.

Rani the person has always won affection and warmth from her costars and the people who work with her, thanks to her infectious laughter and her chatty friendliness.

She is our star of the week.

Also Read:
Last week's star: Akshay Kumar