Rani Mukerji honoured with Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at Maharashtra State Film Awards
Rani Mukerji received the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards 2026 and spoke about her deep connection with Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Actress Rani Mukerji was honoured with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony. The event was held at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, on September 9, 2026.
The award was presented to Rani by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, government officials, film personalities and other dignitaries were also present at the ceremony.
The honour holds a special place in Rani’s heart as she was born and raised in Mumbai. She has spent nearly three decades working in Indian cinema and has built a strong connection with the city and the state.
Talking about the award, Rani said, “Majhyasathi Maharashtra fakt ek rajya nahi. Maharashtra majhi janmabhoomi aahe. Majhi karmabhoomi aahe. Ani majhya ayushyacha ek avibhajya bhaag aahe.”
She further said that receiving the recognition from her own people made the moment even more meaningful. She also described it as a huge honour to receive an award named after legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor.
‘Mumbai has given me my identity’Rani also spoke about her deep connection with Mumbai, the city where she grew up and began her journey in the film industry.
“Mumbai has given me my identity. It has given me an audience. It has given me a career. And it has been my home, my safe place, my everything,” she said.
The actress added that whenever she looks at the award, she will not just see a trophy but will remember Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Rani’s journey of portraying strong womenOver the years, Rani Mukerji has become known for playing strong and complex female characters. Her performances in films such as Black, No One Killed Jessica, Hichki, the Mardaani franchise and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway have showcased women who are brave, determined and resilient. Talking about her choice of roles, Rani said, “I have always silently worked to represent the powerful girls and women of India through cinema that has its heart in the right place.”
She explained that she has always been drawn towards characters with truthful stories, courage, flaws and strong journeys. According to her, these women were not waiting for someone else to save them.
‘Cinema is a deep emotion for me’For Rani, acting has never been just a profession. She described cinema as an emotion and highlighted Maharashtra’s important place in India's film industry.
“I have never considered cinema merely a profession. For me, cinema is a deep emotion. And Maharashtra is the home of that emotion,” she said.
She also praised the thousands of artists, technicians, filmmakers and storytellers who work in the state and help take stories from Mumbai to audiences across India and the world.
Rani dedicates the award to MaharashtraRani dedicated the prestigious honour to Maharashtra and its people. She thanked the artists, technicians, filmmakers and the entire film fraternity for their contribution to cinema. She also remembered the generations of storytellers who came before her and helped create an environment where someone like her could dream of building a career in films.
The Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award recognises Rani Mukerji’s contribution to Indian cinema and her long-standing connection with Mumbai and Maharashtra, a state that has played a major role in shaping India's cinematic journey.