Meet the Neighbours

Nilu Aurangabad moved into Yari Road’s Shakti Apartments with her family 14 years ago. A retired pharmaceuticals distributor, Aurangaba...

Nilu Aurangabad moved into Yari Road’s Shakti Apartments with her family 14 years ago. A retired pharmaceuticals distributor, Aurangabad watched her daughter Varsha grow up with their neighbour, Rani Mukerji. On a sunny afternoon, she takes a nostalgic trip through Mukerji’s journey from a chubby adolescent to queen bee.

Stairwell Diaries
Rani was once plump and took brisk walks to reduce her weight. She used to chat up Varsha on the staircase or at the doorway and crib about her studies.

Back Then
When we heard that Rani wanted to join films, we wondered who would give her a break—she’s so short! But she’s got lovely, expressive eyes, they are her USP. I thought she was really bad in her debut film, Raja Ki Aayegi Barat, and I told her that when we met in the elevator. In Ghulam, she improved by leaps and bounds. My favourite Rani film is Black.

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Chemistry Lessons
I just saw Bunty aur Babli and didn’t like it. I don’t like Abhishek Bachchan, and I hope the rumours about her and him are false. I think she looks best with Shah Rukh Khan—if there’s anyone who can match the Shah Rukh-Kajol chemistry, it’s her.

What’s the Goss?
I’ve seen Govinda in the elevator many times, but I don’t know what relationship they share. He could be just a friend or something else. I don’t want anyone to accuse the poor girl of being a home breaker.

Neighbour’s Envy
I saw Shilpa Shetty in the elevator once. I’ve never seen Kajol, though. I would’ve rushed to her house if I knew Kajol was around—she’s my favourite. My friends are very happy whenever they happen to spot Rani.

Pet Peeves
Her dog litters the staircase sometimes and that can be quite a nuisance. Apart from that, she keeps to herself and doesn’t bother anyone. In fact, the only time I realise she is there is when Rani takes the stairs and I get a whiff of her strong perfume.

Padosan
Ruby Bhatia lives here too.

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Star-struck
Rani exchanges pleasantries with me whenever we meet. I’m sure she must have some attitude, since she’s a star—at least one expects her to. But I hate it when people judge her by stray incidents, like when she yells at her driver. We all yell at people when we’re angry. At heart, she’s a warm girl from a middle class family and I’m sure that essence will stay.