Rani Mukerji (born March 21, 1978 as Rani Mukherjee), is a successful Indian actress in Bollywood movies.

She comes from a film-clan family of Bengali origin. Her father, Ram Mukherjee is a well-known director, while her brother Raja Mukherjee is a film producer. Kajol, another popular actress, is her cousin.

Rani is alleged to have recently changed her surname from Mukherjee to Mukerji due to a belief in numerology - and is said to have stated that the change has increased her luck.

Rani made her debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in 1996. The film did not do well at the box-office. However, she proved herself as an actor in her following two movies: Ghulam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, both of which were hits. She has since appeared in many award-winning movies and box-office successes.

Of her recent movies: Black, Bunty aur Babli and The Rising are three major big hits of 2005. Paheli is India's official entry to the 2006 Oscars. Black, Paheli and Veer-Zaara were also considered nominations for the 2005 Golden Globe Awards amongst 60 films submitted worldwide.

She has also performed in Shahrukh Khan's touring stage show, Temptations 2004, as a prominent member of an all-star lineup.

In February 2005, Filmfare Magazine published her face among the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood"; she was the only woman to receive such an honor. Rani was also ranked number one in the Filmfare Top Ten Actresses' listing.