Meet the Babli of 'Bunty Aur Babli'. Today, she is working with the best of banners. Rani Mukerji, arguably the No. 1 heroine today, in conversation with Vickey Lalwani.

Excerpts:

What is 'Bunty Aur Babli' all about?

Bunty and Babli are two avid dreamers. Together they team up as spiritual gurus, bureaucrat and secretary, gangster and moll, business partners, hen pecked husband and pregnant wife, lawyer and sexually harassed client, vagabonds, caught-in-a-downpour lovers and lots, lots more and they seem to be loving every minute of it. Their escapades play out against backdrops as varied as the Taj Mahal, the banks of the Ganges, the saffrons of Benaras, the browns of Kanpur and Lucknow, the whites of Mussoorie, the tinkling bells of Rishikesh and Hardwar, the skies of Delhi and all across the vein-like network of the Great Indian railways and highways.

What part does Amitabh Bachchan play?

Amit Uncle plays Dashrath Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch. Currently he has exactly four passions, bidis, channa, Bunty and Babli. But getting his hands on Bunty and Babli proves to be the biggest challenge of his 30-year career.

Do you think 'Bunty Aur Babli' will be a big success?

I think so. But frankly, I am not banking on the film. My mother says that you should not have too many expectations from any quarters in life.

Would you call 'Black' the most challenging role of your career?

Till date, as an actor, I confess that I have never ever before received an opportunity to play a challenging role like 'Black'; 'Black' is the best film of my career. It will always remain one of the most special films of my life.

How was it working with Amitabh Bachchan as a co-star? Just recently, we saw you with him in 'Black'...

(Interrupts) I feel humbled. I am just a fledgling in the industry compared to him. Compared to his experience and achievements, I am a baby. Yet, Amit uncle never made me ever feel that 'Eh, I'm a huge star.' He's a very modest person, very sweet, a father figure. He is also like a child who wants to give his best shot.

It must be fun to work with the father and son (Abhishek) together?

You can say that again. Both are out of this world. I used to miss Amit uncle whenever I worked with Abhishek solo in 'Bunty Aur Babli' and vice versa I used to miss Abhishek whenever I worked with Amit Uncle in 'Black'.

Rumours are flying thick and fast that you and Abhishek Bachchan are seeing each other?

Abhishek and I are very good friends. I used to boss him around on the sets. He is a cute guy. I hope he finds a good girl to get married to. Our off-screen friendship translates well on screen. I guess that's why people are putting two and two together, to equal five.

What is your next film 'Paheli' all about?

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Lachchi (Rani Mukherji), who was married to a man who was only interested in making money. There was a ghost (Shahrukh Khan) who fell madly in love with her. On the wedding night itself, the husband left home for five long years on account of his business. The ghost took on the husband's appearance and entered her life. A few years later, when the husband returned home, the villagers and relatives were bewildered. How this situation gets resolved is the Paheli.

Weren't you slated to act in Mira Nair's next film 'The Namesake'?

I regret that I couldn't adjust my dates to suit the schedule of Mira Nair's new film based on 'The Namesake' written by Jhumpa Lahiri. I found Mira to be so very much like me. It would have been my first ever film under a woman director. I suppose I wasn't destined to act in her film.

2004 and now 2005 have been decisive for you?

I'm glad people are finally recognizing me. For too long people who loved me felt dejected when at every awards function I'd give awards. Now I'm finally getting them. Now the media is acknowledging my hard work. I'm being rewarded in a very big way. More than me, it's my family that is excited.