Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji and filmmaker Aditya Chopra were on Wednesday blessed with their first child together, a daughter, whom they have named Adira, an amalgam of their first names.
Rani has described the newly born as "god's greatest gift" and has thanked her well-wishers and fans for their “unconditional support”.
The baby, who is "healthy and feisty", was born at the Breach Candy Hospital here on Wednesday morning.
"I would like to thank all my well-wishers and fans," Rani said in a statement issued by Aditya's production banner Yash Raj Films.
"Today life has given us god's greatest gift with Adira. We thank fans our friends and well-wishers for their unconditional support and blessings. With joy we begin this new chapter in our lives," she added.
The new parents have smartly named their daughter by combining their first own names into Adira, which also means strong, noble and powerful.
Rani and Aditya, who had long been in a relationship, exchanged wedding vows in April 2014 in Italy. While it's Rani first marriage, Aditya was previously married to childhood friend Payal Khanna, whom he divorced in 2009.
Rani, 37, daughter of former film director Ram Mukherjee and former playback singer Krishna Mukherjee, started her career in showbiz with 1996 Bengali film “Biyer Phool”. She is best known for her roles in films like “Ghulam”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Saathiya”, “Chalte Chalte”, “Hum Tum”, “Veer-Zaara”, “Black”, “No One Killed Jessica” and “Mardaani”.
Aditya, 44, who is son of late filmmaker Yash Chopra and Pamela Chopra, is best known for his directorial ventures like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, “Mohabbatein” and “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”.
The couple's friends and family members are excited about the news and have congratulated them on Twitter.
Aditya's younger brother Uday Chopra announced on the micro-blogging site: "IT’S A GIRL!!!!!".
Their close friend and filmmaker Karan Johar shared: "Am an uncle to a beautiful baby girl today!!!!! @udaychopra !!! Rani and Adi had a baby girl!!"
Rani's “Nayak” co-star and actor Anil Kapoor wrote: “Hello li'l angel #Adira! Congratulations to the new parents #AdityaChopra & #RaniMukerji on receiving the most precious gift there is!
Actress Madhuri Dixit-Nene said: “Congratulations to Adi and Rani and lots of love to Adira."
Actress Parineeti Chopra also shared her joy by posting: "IT'S A GIRL !!!! So so excited baby Adira is born !! #Adi #Rani"
Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor said: "Rani and Aditya Chopra become proud parents to a baby girl named Adira. Congratulations!"
Actor Riteish Deshmukh tweeted: “Congratulations proud parents n chachu @udaychopra”.
