Rani Chandra (The Sarah Jane Adventures) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rani Chandra |
|
|---|---|
| The Sarah Jane Adventures character | |
 |
|
| First appearance | The Day of the Clown (2008) |
| Last appearance | The Man Who Never Was (2011) |
| Portrayed by | Anjli Mohindra |
| Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Affiliation | |
| Home | Earth |
| Home era | Early 21st century |
Rani Chandra is a fictional character. She appears in the British children's science fiction TV show The Sarah Jane Adventures. The actress Anjli Mohindra plays Rani.
The Sarah Jane Adventures is a spin-off show from the very popular series Doctor Who. Rani first appeared in an episode called The Day of the Clown.
Contents
About Rani Chandra's Character
Rani Chandra was created to replace another character named Maria Jackson. Maria, played by Yasmin Paige, left the show to focus on her school studies.
When Maria left, her family also moved away. So, Rani and her parents, Haresh and Gita Chandra, moved into their old house.
Rani's name is similar to "The Rani," a villain from the classic Doctor Who series. However, the show's writer, Russell T Davies, said that Rani Chandra is not the same character as "The Rani."
Rani's Adventures in Television
Rani first appeared in the second story of the show's second season. This was after Maria had left.
Joining Sarah Jane's Team
In the episode The Day of the Clown (2008), Rani and her family move to 12 Bannerman Road in Ealing, London. This house is right across from Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) and Luke Smith's (Tommy Knight) home.
Rani's father becomes the new headteacher at the school. Rani, Luke, and their friend Clyde Langer (Daniel Anthony) all go to this school. Rani's mother owns a flower shop called Bloomin' Lovely.
Rani wants to be a journalist, like a reporter. She quickly joins Sarah Jane's team, who investigate strange alien events.
Adventures and Special Titles
In the third season's first episode, Prisoner of the Judoon (2009), Rani and Clyde are stopped from traveling in space. This was a punishment from the Judoon, who are alien police.
Even though she is stuck on Earth, Rani is actually a noble from an alien planet. A young alien ruler named Gavin makes her "Lady Rani." He does this to thank her for helping him become king, which also saved humanity. Later, in another episode, she is called Lady Rani again. She is taken to the time of Lady Jane Grey and is mistaken for a lady-in-waiting.
Rani's Personal Journey
The third season story The Mad Woman in the Attic focuses on Rani. Sarah Jane finds out that Rani has been writing letters to an old school friend, telling him about their adventures.
This episode shows two possible futures for Rani. In one future, Rani is sad and alone in 2059. In the other, she has a son and grandchildren. She also stays friends with Luke and even Maria, her predecessor.
Rani's last appearance in the main show is in the final episode, The Man Who Never Was (2011).
Rani's Later Life
Rani also appeared in "Farewell, Sarah Jane" (2020). This was a special story made years after the show ended. Rani becomes a full-time journalist and is working on a story at the North Pole.
She learns that Sarah Jane has passed away. Rani, Clyde, and Luke organize Sarah Jane's funeral. Everyone celebrates Sarah Jane's life. Rani chooses to believe that Sarah Jane didn't really die. Instead, she thinks Sarah Jane went to travel the universe forever with the Doctor.
Rani's Adventures in Audio Stories
Since 2022, Anjli Mohindra has played Rani again in audio dramas. These are spin-offs from Doctor Who.
She first appeared in "The Turn of the Tides." This story was part of a box set called The Eighth of March 2: Protectors of Time from Big Finish Productions. She was with Jo Jones (Katy Manning). Later, she appeared in three episodes of Doctor Who: Redacted. This was a podcast drama from BBC Sounds featuring the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker).
Anjli Mohindra will play Rani in her own audio series called Rani Takes on the World. This series is set 15 years after The Sarah Jane Adventures. Daniel Anthony will return as Clyde Langer. Mina Anwar will return as Rani's mother, Gita Chandra. The first set of stories, Beyond Bannerman Road, is set to be released in April 2023.
Rani has also been in several The Sarah Jane Adventures audiobook stories. These were released between 2008 and 2011.
Understanding Rani's Personality
The official The Sarah Jane Adventures website describes Rani Chandra like this:
Rani is 15 years old. She is curious, smart, and confident. She wants to be a journalist, like a younger Sarah Jane. She looks up to Sarah Jane a lot, and Sarah Jane is happy to include her in investigations. Rani likes being with Luke because they are both bright and eager to learn. But she also likes Clyde because he is cool, a bit rebellious, and charming.
In an interview, Anjli Mohindra said that Rani and Maria are only similar because they are both girls and live in the same house. She noted that both are "quite strong-willed." However, she said Rani cries "a lot less" than Maria did.
Mohindra also said that Rani's relationship with Sarah Jane is "a lot different" from Maria's. She explained that Rani is "very much an apprentice of Sarah Jane." At first, Sarah Jane wasn't very interested in taking on another child. Rani learns from Sarah Jane and tries to copy her actions to help solve problems. Rani prefers to solve problems using her mind rather than fighting physically. Mohindra likes that Rani is "a girl between two guys at times."
Images for kids
-
Rani Chandra in The Sarah Jane Adventures
See also
In Spanish: Rani Chandra para niños
