Women in Entertainment 2026 | Rani Mukerji Reflects on Career as She Receives Timeless Icon Award: 'Started at 16, and 30 Years Just Flew By'

"What makes an artist truly timeless is the journey, the years of collaboration with people who shape and enrich that path," said actor Rani Mukerji as she received the Timeless Icon Award at the second Women in Entertainment gala, hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India (THR India), in partnership with De Beers.

Mukerji was honoured for her remarkable body of work spanning three decades, as the actor continues to champion meaningful cinema. She was recently seen leading the action thriller Mardaani 3, which emerged as a box-office success.

"I would like to thank The Hollywood Reporter India for honouring me with the Timeless Icon Award and for celebrating the achievements of women in entertainment. I am truly grateful and humbled by this recognition," the actor said in her speech.

"I have been incredibly fortunate to work with writers and directors who believe in telling meaningful stories and creating powerful, nuanced representations of women in cinema. Together, we strive to tell stories that resonate, inspire, and celebrate the many dimensions of womanhood," she added.

Mukerji said it doesn’t feel like she has been working in the film industry for 30 years, as the decades have just flown by. She added that she consciously wants to continue championing films that represent women the way they “deserve to be seen.”

"Honestly, it doesn’t feel like I have completed 30 years in the industry because I started when I was 16. It feels like the journey has just flown by. But I remain deeply committed to doing meaningful work and representing women on-screen the way they deserve to be seen. I would also like to thank all my fans and well-wishers from around the world for the immense love they have showered on me throughout my career, and especially for the love shown to Mardaani 3 and for making it a success at the box office. Your support means everything to me."

The actor also thanked Avarna Jain (Chairperson, RPSG Lifestyle Media) and Anupama Chopra (Editor, The Hollywood Reporter India) for creating a platform that honours women from the industry and “continues to champion stronger representation of women in cinema and entertainment

"Thank you so much for your love and kindness. I am truly honoured to be in the same room as such wonderful artists," she added. Hosted at the Fairmont Mumbai, the event was attended by 150 guests, including acclaimed actors, directors, producers, and industry executives.

The evening featured the unveiling of THR India Women in Entertainment Power List, recognising 50 of the most influential women in the industry today. The likes of Aditi Shrivastava, Ananya Panday, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Aparna Purohit, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Jyotika, Kajol, Kiran Rao, Mrinalini Jain, Priyanka Khimani, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sonam Bajwa, Zoya Akhtar were felicitated on stage, as the event celebrated their impact across industries.