All the Khans love me, says Rani Mukerji

In the Anurag Kashyap written film, directed by Sachin Kundalkar, Rani plays Meenakshi, a spunky Maharashtrian girl who is ready to get married at her family's bidding but dreams about a fantasy world all her own. In Talaash, she plays a gritty, fiercely guarded character, where we'll see her "smile only once." And while she admits she did not expect Talaash to get so delayed, she tells us why she took up Aiyyaa: "I hadn't played a Maharashtrian earlier. Moreover, the role of Meenakshi was superbly exciting as she is mad and passionate, somewhat like me (laughs). The script was so refreshing that I just gave my go ahead." Rani goes to admit that even though she admires Anurag's work, she could never see herself being a part of his 'niche cinema.' In fact, when Anurag Kashyap narrated the story to her, Rani had quipped, "I won't come into your (dark) zone. This time, you have to come into mine (popular cinema)." The actor was so convinced about her role that she immediately green lighted Sachin Kundalkar, the two-time National Award winning filmmaker, who makes his Hindi debut with this film. "Sachin was the right person to do justice to this film. He knew the finer nuances and helped me better myself as Meenakshi," Rani says.

Aiyyaa comes at a time when when most of her peers and the younger actors are vying to work with the Khan trinity and be a part of the Rs 100-crore club. But Rani seems unfazed by it all, and insists she enjoys wonderful rapport with all the Khans. "I have no issues with any of them. In fact, both Shah Rukh and Aamir have taught me a lot. Shah Rukh has always been very supportive as a co-star and that helps you to do better. Aamir has been very much like a teacher to me in my career. In the initial years when I had joined the industry, he literally held my hand and taught me the ropes of acting. And even when I worked with him in Talaash, I still felt I've so much to learn from him and I am still a student. Salman is a good friend too. Because of all this, the bond I share with them is very different from that with the others. And I know all the Khans love me!" with a flash of her famous pearlies.