Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji honoured the cinematic legacy of Maharashtra in her own language at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards, held in Mumbai on Thursday evening. Speaking to the audience in fluent Marathi, the actress expressed how deeply intertwined her professional life has been with the state's film industry over the years.
"I have experienced both success and failure here," Rani told the gathered audience, reflecting on the numerous projects she has worked on in Maharashtra across decades in Indian cinema. Her remarks drew warm appreciation from attendees, many of whom praised her effort to address the crowd in the local language rather than Hindi or English, which is more commonly used at such ceremonies.
The event was organised by the Maharashtra state government and drew prominent faces from both Marathi and wider Indian cinema. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar were present to formally confer the awards upon the year's most deserving performers and technicians. The presence of the chief minister and the cultural minister underscored the state government's continued commitment to recognising and promoting regional film achievement.
The Maharashtra State Film Awards, instituted in 1964, remain the oldest annual state film honours in India, preceding even the National Film Awards by several years. They are considered one of the most prestigious recognitions for artists working within the Marathi film industry, celebrating excellence in acting, direction, music, technical categories, and other cinematic contributions made during the calendar year.
Rani Mukerji, though primarily known for her work in Hindi-language cinema, has had a long association with Maharashtra — filming several projects in and around Mumbai and frequently participating in events hosted by the state's cultural establishment. Her decision to speak in Marathi at the awards ceremony was seen by many as a gesture of respect toward the Marathi film community and its audiences, reinforcing the idea that Bollywood and regional cinema share a common geographic and cultural home in Maharashtra.
