Rani Mukerji signs Aditya Chopra's next film Mardaani

Pradeep Sarkar has not signed his preferred actress Vidya Balan, but gone ahead with the YRF favourite

Aditya Chopra has signed his ladylove Rani Mukerji for his upcoming film, Mardaani. The film will see Rani playing a cop. According to sources, it is the boldest subject attempted by the Yash Raj Films (YRF) till date.

While YRF spokesperson confirmed the news, Sarkar said: "The film will be raw and gritty. It is something that neither Rani nor I have attempted before. And it's always good to invade in new territories, isn't it?"

Previously, Sarkar has directed Rani Mukerji-Abhishek Bachchan starrer Laaga Chunri Mein Daag and Deepika-Neil Nitin Mukesh starrer Lafenge Parindey. Said Sarkar: "After Lafenge..., I was working on Mardaani. I didn't make much noise about it and people wondered where I had gone. I directed many ads in the interim. But now I am bursting to get back on film sets."

When asked why Rani and not his favourite Vidya Balan, whom he introduced in Parineeta, Sarkaar replied, "Yes, Vidya is my favourite. But I have other favourites too. And Rani is definitely one of them. I have a very comfortable equation with Rani. And things just fell into place as far Rani's inclusion in the film is concerned. I told Adi that we should go with Rani in Mardaani."

Elaborating further on the project, Sarkar said:"I am looking forward to direct this big one for YRF. We shall be shooting the major portions of the film in Mumbai."

Mardaani, which will go on floors sometime towards end of this year, will be Rani's eleventh film for YRF. Her last film under the banner, Dil Bole Hadippa!, had tanked at the box office.

After a few setbacks, Rani had recently bounced back with her powerful portrayal of a headstrong journalist in No One Killed Jessica (2011, she won a Best Supporting Actress Award at Filmfare) and a grieving mother in Talaash (2012).