Rani prays at Kalighat, urges women to be brave

Days ahead of her next release "Mardaani", Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee Tuesday sought blessings at the famed Kalighat temple here for the film's success, and urged women to invoke the strength within themselves in the light of recent escalation in crimes against women.

Rani is now married to Yash Raj Films (YRF) head honcho Aditya Chopra.

"I am here to seek blessings from the goddess at the start of my new journey (her marriage with Chopra) and for my next film," she said.

Her forthcoming release, which has been directed by Pradeep Sarkar, sees Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta in a supporting role.

Revealing that the script deals with women's empowerment, the actress told reporters in Bengali at the temple, "There is a lot going on nowadays... I urge women to awaken the 'Mardaani' (the brave woman) within themselves and be brave and strong."

When asked by media persons about her plans for the Durga Puja, Rani said she was looking forward to the ritual of 'Sindoor Khela' where married women apply vermilion on one another on the last day of the festival.