Rani Mukerji on how Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan brought happiness at YRF office in depressing times: 'It changed entire thing forward'

During her recent appearance at FICCI Frames 2024, Rani Mukerji discussed how the viewing patterns of the audience have changed post-pandemic. She also revealed how all films of YRF headed by her husband Aditya Chopra failed at the box office until the arrival of Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan, which was a game-changer for the production house.

Rani Mukerji speaking on the comeback of Hindi Film Industry with the example of "Pathaan" Which absolutely turned the theaters into stadiums! 🔥@iamsrk #ShahRukhKhan #SRK #Pathaan #RaniMukerji pic.twitter.com/8foozF5PHV

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) March 5, 2024

“Adi (Aditya Chopra) had these big films waiting to be released but pandemic happened and they were stalled. The films had to sustain the cost incurred in their making and filmmakers were under tremendous pressure to release them on OTT. I saw my husband calm and composed. He said, these movies we made for theatres for audiences to enjoy so I will release them in theatres. He was offered huge money on OTT but he took a brave call and decided to wait. When these films were released, all flopped! The way the audience watched content around the pandemic and and post that changed overnight,” said the Mardaani 2 actress.

“All his films failed at the box office and everyone was in depression as it was a huge commercial setback. The conviction that Adi stood by, we thought some divine intervention will happen and he will be rewarded for his conviction of releasing films theatrically, but that didn’t happen. Nothing worked for us until _Pathaan_ happened. That film changed everything for Yash Raj films. Bhagwaan jab deta hai chappad faad ke deta hai (When God gives, he does so in abundance)! He just tests your courage. Adi had that courage and I salute that,” added Mukerji.

For the unversed, Pathaan, which also featured John Abraham and Deepika Padukone in prominent roles, grossed over Rs 1000 crore at the global box office.