Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon is set to return for a second season. As the show’s premiere approaches, the makers have dropped a series of new posters.

The posters of House of the Dragon Season 2 with the phrase “All must choose” feature key characters divided into #TeamGreen and #TeamBlack. Check it out here:

The characters taking centerstage include Matt Smith’s Prince Daemon Targaryen, Emma D’Darcy’s Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower and more.

House of the Dragon will have eight episodes. Ryan Condal serves as the showrunner after Miguel Sapochnik stepped down from the role after the first season.

House of the Dragon Season 2 will release in June 2024.

Not many people know that Rani Mukerji’s official debut film was Biyer Phool in 1996 which was helmed by her father Ram Mukherjee. To the world, it is Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat in the same year where she played the role of a rape victim. Since then the petite actress has only reached greater heights with a filmography that’s replete with exceptional choices. She’s done her fair share of rom-coms when they were the go-to trend back then and given us films like Hum Tum, Ta Ra Rum Pum, and a short cameo in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai whereas she’s also given us hardcore romantic films such as Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Saathiya amongst her many blockbusters.

But there are a few handfuls of her roles that changed her image from a pretty girl who’s got a talent for melodramatic movies to a badass lady on the big screen. Be it as a journalist in No One Killed Jessica to her very recent film Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway where she played the limitless harrowed mother who would go to any extent to bring back her children, she encapsulated the whole emotion of being one actor with many shades through these impressionable characters.

On her birthday today, here’s a look at 5 Rani Mukerji films where her character was the epitome of strength and self-confidence.

Black

Based on the novel The Story Of My Life by Helen Keller, Rani Mukerji essayed the role of Michelle McNally who has had a difficult childhood as she loses both her eyesight and hearing ability at the mere age of two. One of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s best works, he made Rani’s character resonate deeply with the audience despite her having no dialogues. The narration in the background made it for a soul-stirring watch, the story of a girl who faced life’s many roadblocks because of her unfortunate disease but continued to face every challenge head-on with her mentor Debaraj Sahai (Amitabh Bachchan) being her rock every step of the way.

No One Killed Jessica

Rani Mukerji essayed the role of a fearless crime reporter named Meera Gaity in the film. Unbothered by all the threats and dangers that she has to tackle in a male-dominated world, her vigour with which she advances to solve the murder case of an innocent girl. Her character was a strong representation of how power can be used correctly to bring justice and fear cannot be a dent in that road.

Mardaani and Mardaani 2

Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy is a gutsy female inspector who is battling crime against women every day. Both the instalments had strong societal issues and the crux of the story where Rani’s badass character was seen doing a lot of action as well. She’s unapologetic when it comes to raising her voice against the gender-based partiality that exists in the ecosystem. Her acting prowess touched its peak with such hard-hitting characters.

Hitchki

Ms. Nanina Mathur (Rani Mukerji) suffers from Tourette syndrome which is an unfortunate disease that results in unwanted hiccups at regular intervals that cannot be controlled. This character was a beautiful amalgamation of sensitivity and self-confidence. Her character aimed to bring a positive change in the lives of her students even though they failed to give her the same respect, but eventually found a middle ground. It was inspiring and a lesson on how your flaws do not restrict your capabilities.

Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway

Rani  Mukerji as Debika Chatterjee was the voice of every mother in this film who has no limits when it comes to protecting her children. When the Norwegian authorities take away her children and deem her unfit to take care of them, she goes to the ends of the world to fight for their custody, meanwhile going through extreme trauma and mental exhaustion. She makes you feel her pain through her honest portrayal and her performance has been lauded across the globe.

Rani Mukerji is an actor of many shades. The above mentioned films make her shred her stereotypical portrayal and push her limits as she essayed some fearless female characters on screen.

The Supreme Court today came down heavily on Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for his refusal to re-induct a DMK leader as minister despite a pause on his conviction. In strong remarks, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the Governor was “defying the Supreme Court” and asked the Centre, “If the Governor does not follow the Constitution, what does the government do?”

The bench, also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, has now given the Governor a day’s time till tomorrow to appoint DMK’s K Ponmudi as minister.

The MK Stalin government has approached the Supreme Court after Mr Ravi refused to re-induct Mr Ponmudi into the state cabinet, saying it would be against Constitutional morality. Mr Ponmudi was disqualified as an MLA after the Madras High Court recently reversed his acquittal in an assets case. Thereafter, the Supreme Court paused his conviction and the sentence of a two-year jail term. The state government had then moved to reinstate him as minister, but the Governor stressed that his conviction has only been suspended and not set aside.

“If we do not hear from your person tomorrow, we will pass an order directing the Governor to act according to the constitution. We are seriously concerned about the Tamil Nadu Governor and his behaviour. He has no business to do this. He is taking on the Supreme Court,” the Chief Justice said. “We are keeping eyes open and tomorrow we will decide. We are seriously concerned,” he doubled down.

The Chief Justice said the Governor is “defying the Supreme Court”. “Those who have advised him have not advised him properly,” he said. “I may have a different perspective of the man/ minister, but we have to go by the constitutional law. The Chief Minister says we want to appoint this person, the Governor should do so as part of the parliamentary democracy. He’s a ceremonial head of the state.”

Justice Pardiwala said that once a conviction is stayed, “you cannot say that you are tainted, there is no blemish”.

Mr Ravi’s refusal to appoint Mr Ponmudi as minister is the latest in a series of face-offs between his office and the MK Stalin government after he took over Tamil Nadu Governor in 2021. The DMK government has repeatedly accused him of creating hurdles in its work.

Earlier, the state government had approached the Supreme Court over the delay in the Raj Bhavan clearing Bills. The court had then said the Governor must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The tussle had also reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan, when Chief Minister Stalin wrote to President Droupadi Murmu last year, seeking Mr Ravi’s removal from the top post.