MUMBAI – With her upcoming film ‘Hichki’, Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji is making a grand comeback to the industry.
Inspired by Brad Cohen, the popular motivational speaker, teacher and author of Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had, the film explores the topic of Tourette Syndrome.
Rani Mukerji honoured Cohen, screening the film for him and his students in Atlanta via video call, as well as a press conference with the writer.
Brad Cohen said in his interaction at the press conference,”I tried to live life like everyone else. Ultimately I had a dream that I wanted to become a teacher, despite the fact that I had a medical condition. It means a lot that I am able to share my message of hope. Just because people are different and someone may have a disability, it does not mean that they cannot follow their dreams. I never let Tourette syndrome define who I was. I am really glad that you guys in India decided to make a film on my life.”
Rani Mukerji talked about playing the role inspired by Brad Cohen’s writing, “It has been a journey for me as an actor to get to know about Cohen’s life. I hope there is more awareness about Tourette in my country. It has been quite a challenge for me to promote and market the film, answering questions regarding Tourette. People are not aware of this. Now you guys know where I am coming from.”
Siddharth P Malhotra, the director of the film took about five years to develop the plot of the film, said that Rani “researched the story of his life thoroughly for authentic portrayal of her character.”
