Rani Mukerji turns 40: Her love story with Aditya Chopra

There has always been much curiosity about Rani Mukerji's relationship with producer Aditya Chopra. More so, because Aditya makes it a firm point to stay away from the media glare, and there are hardly any pictures of him on the net. He's actually called the 'invisible man of Bollywood'.

The two kept mum, even when speculation about their romance was its peak. As Aditya Chopra was going through a difficult time in his marriage with Payal Khanna, Rani had to face the wrath of several people, and was even called a home-wrecker.

Yet despite all odds, the couple has steered through difficult waters, and is happily married now, with a daughter, named Adira.

As Rani turns 40 today, we take a look at her love story with Aditya Chopra.

FIRST MEETING

Rani and Aditya met in Sampan restaurant. Owing to his success with Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaaenge (1994) Aditya was now a director to reckon with. However, Rani didn't come forward and talk to him.

Impressed by this, Aditya told Karan Johar to cast her in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, as he felt that her performance in her debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat was remarkable. Following this, they started working together in several films.

They also started spending time with each other, and had a close bond. In many of her interviews, Rani said that at this point, they only considered each other as good friends.

'HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS DOING ONLY CRAP FILMS'

In one of her interviews, Rani said that she liked his honesty. She recalled the time she met him for the first time on a professional basis. "After having faced failure for a couple of my films, luckily Mujhse Dosti Karoge happened and that's when I met Adi first time professionally. He told me that I'm doing a couple of crap films and that people have pressured him not to take me because they think that I didn't have the equity for a Yash Raj film, but Adi had belief in my talent and me and thought that I was good for the part. My mother and I have been very upfront people always and I like frankness and openness, so I like the fact that he was on my face."

'I STARTED SEEING HIM ONLY AFTER HIS DIVORCE'

Aditya's marriage with designer Payal Khanna was already at a breaking point. Their efforts to reconcile their ten-year relationship were futile. The former couple filed for divorce in 2009, much to everyone's surprise. Many people maligned Rani's image, and held her responsible for the problems in Aditya's marriage.

However, after Rani and Aditya's wedding in 2014, she cleared the air and said, "Contrary to all rumours, I started seeing him only when he was out of his divorce and was not my producer. I started seeing him at a point when I was not working with him as dating your producer was not my cup of tea."

The two became closer after his divorce, and found solace in each other's company, as they were both going through a low phase in their lives. Gradually, love bloomed.

PARENT'S PERMISSION

Like the hero in the 90's films, Aditya decided to go the traditional way. He went to Rani's house and asked if he could date her, and reportedly, her parents were more than happy. Rani was quite overwhelmed with this gesture.

The two got married in April 2014, in a hush-hush wedding ceremony, and only 12 people were present.

'WE ARE LIKE SHIVA AND PARVATI'

In one of her interviews, Rani compared her relationship to deities Shiva and Parvati. "Just like Shiv, he is calm, composed and is a one woman man who loves me as much as Shiva loved Parvati. And, of course, I am the Parvati in his life who can't see beyond him. My parents are too thrilled to have him as their son-in-law."

'RANI CHANGED HIM FOR THE BETTER'

Rani gets along very well with Aditya's family, as well.

In one of her interviews, Aditya's mother, Pamela Chopra said that Rani brought back happiness into Aditya's life. "Adi is a different person these days. He is so happy, always smiling. When he was younger, he would sing walking up the stairs; he has started doing that again. He danced at his wedding! She has changed him for the better."

'I CURSE AND ABUSE HIM WITH LOVE'

In a candid interview with Neha Dhupia, Rani spoke at length about Aditya, and their relationship. She was full of praises for him, and said that he was one of the best directors.

When Neha asked if she fights with her husband, Rani replied, "Yes, I do. I curse my husband every day; I abuse my husband every day, but he does such loving things that the cursing comes out with love! So, in my family when we curse, we curse with love. We don't curse with hate. If I curse somebody, that means I really love that person."

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