Rani Mukerji lights up Empire State Building

Rani Mukerji will be the first Bollywood actor to light up New York's Empire State Building for the Indian Independence Day Parade celebrations.

The actress will participate in the parade as the grand marshal and will also ring the Nasdaq bell on the 22nd.

The No One Killed Jessica star's manager told The Times of India: "Rani is in New York for the past three days. She will be felicitated by the Indian federation in NYC.

"Rani will be wearing Sabyasachi's outfits there. A beautiful gown for the ESB ceremony and a lovely anarkali for the parade. She wanted something lighter and comfortable."

Preity Zinta attended the event last year, which usually enlists a Bollywood representative to open the celebrations.

However, it is the first time that a Bollywood actor will be seen lighting up the Empire State Building in the colours of the Indian national flag.