Rani Mukerji, who turns a year older, was the first choice for Mira Nair’s The Namesake. Back then, when she was offered the coveted part, her son was to be played by Abhishek Bachchan.

And Rani was loath to play Abhishek’s mother. Eventually, Abhishek too opted out, and Kal Penn played the son.

Once I asked Rani if she regretted losing out on The Namesake. She replied, “I don’t regret missing out on The Namesake. But I regret not working with Mira. I loved Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel and I love the film. Being a Bengali, I completely relate to the ambience. So many of my aunts live in the US the way the protagonist does. But I wasn’t convinced about playing the mother of a 25-year-old guy. And I said so to Mira. She completely understood my point of view. Also, Karan’s film happened at the same time. I apologized to Mira. But I’m so fond of Mira. I love meeting her whenever I’m in New York. In fact, I bumped into her while shooting for Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. We were once shooting below her house. I’m very fond of her. And I’m sure we’ll work together. The Namesake isn’t Mira’s last film, you know,” Rani chortles.

Rani is very happy for Tabu. “Every role has a destiny. And I genuinely think Tabu was suited for the role. She was superb.”