'Chitrangada Felt Like The Natural Next Chapter' — Indrani Mukerjea Steps Back Into The Spotlight

From a media baron to an author and now a dancer. And Indrani Mukerjea has many more aces up her sleeve. Here, she talks about her new dance drama, Chitrangada—Ek Sashakt Nari, which has been getting rave reviews.

Excerpts from the interview:

When did dance enter your life?

I always wanted to dance, but growing up, since I was a bright child, the focus was on academics, Later, I never got the time or the opportunity. I’ve only been learning to dance since 2023. Initially, when I started putting out reels, there was a lot of resistance, with many saying, “Oh, from media baron to dancer now!” My response was, “Why not? It’s enriching, and not everyone can dance.”

With Chitrangada—Ek Sashakt Nari, I’ve proved that I can dance and I feel fulfilled today. I will have to keep training and updating myself because new techniques in western dance keep emerging and I’m a ballroom dancer too.

It’s interesting that you chose Chitrangada over Kunti and Draupadi, the warrior princess with the strength of a man and the femininity of a woman.

Chitrangada’s dual identity mirrors my own path, which is complex, evolving and unashamed. I’ve always owned up to my strength, never been apologetic of it, and this role embraces power and vulnerability as complementary rather than adversarial.

After I finished my memoir, Unbroken, Chitrangada felt like the natural next chapter, allowing me to reclaim my voice through my performance. I rehearsed eight-10 hours a day for three months for this stage production that demands both dancing and acting. Its success far exceeded our expectations.

Through her journey, Chitrangada is seeking love and fulfilment. What about you?

If you’re asking me whether I’m seeking the love of a companion or a partner, the answer would be that having been married, I’ve experienced all that, and at this point, I’m not seeking it. I’m enjoying being single and not on any dating app. At the same time, I’m not bitter, I believe our journey with every person we meet has a defined path. With some, it’s a lifetime, with others, it ends after a point.

I also believe in new beginnings. It’s never too late to fall in love and I’ll know it when I meet the right person. It will have to be someone who will allow me to breathe and thrive, who understands my need to give time to my art and empower talent.

This production, Chitrangada, is a rebirth rather than a debut. Unbroken was about healing, now I’m in a peaceful place and in a leadership position. This production is giving employment to a lot of people. That’s something I’ve been doing since 1996, when I set up INX Services. Even INX Media housed 1,900 employees. I have always wanted to showcase the skills of those perhaps more talented than me, hard-working, dedicated and not afraid of failing. I want them to grow, and grow with them. That’s the test of a good leader.

For someone as driven as you, what was it like to lose your freedom for over six years when you were in custody for the alleged murder of your daughter Sheena Bora?

It was a shock to my system and a humbling experience. But I’ve always turned a crisis into an opportunity and being cut off from all the noise of the world gave me a chance to introspect, discover my inner strengths and reinvent myself. I never thought I could write, but my diary when published by Harper Collins became a bestseller in three months. I came out stronger, emotionally and spiritually richer, and free. Today, being single, I can devote my time to what I’ve always wanted to do and people outside of my genetic and marital family who need me far more than I realised.

You have written a bestselling book, The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth, docuseries was No. 1 on Netflix, and Chitrangada is getting rave reviews. Have they changed people’s perception of you?

I’m not too concerned about people’s reactions, but every success transforms judgement into possibility, and is a validation. It unlocks your future and that’s what is happening with me.

I’m aware you can’t keep everyone happy, so I was pleasantly surprised by the rave reviews to the dance drama from friends, the audience and yes, the media too. What’s most satisfying is that my intent has been appreciated more than just the performance. At the end of day, I’m living a fruitful life, doing things that are meaningful, like propagating a woman-oriented message through this stage production

Will you write another book?

I’m already writing one, I just haven’t had the time to finish it.

Is it drawn from your life?

No, I’m done with writing stories about my life. I want to do something culturally rich like Chitrangada. It’s a part of our heritage, but doesn’t not seem cliched because every director has presented the play in different ways. I’m blessed to have Madhumita and Tony Chakraborty at the helm, along with a great team. Also, Rabindranath Tagore has always been an inspiration because he empowered women through his writing, beautifully woven in with music and dance.

OTT is big today, is a show in the offing?

Yes, I’ll share the details at the right time.

Your daughter, Vidhie, is also artistically inclined…

Yes, she’s a painter and a pianist. She also has a beautiful voice though she’s never trained, but she’s a trained dancer who learnt ballet from the age of four to 12.

Maybe, we can see her playing a Tagore character on stage some day?

I hope so, that sounds interesting.

And can we hope to see you act in a film next?

You never know, never say never, but right now, the focus is Chitrangada. Since it has done so well, there will be more shows, in different theatres across India and abroad. If I could showcase talent I didn’t know I had on stage, then at the right place, at the right time, for the right role, I could act in a film.

news