Actress Kangana Ranaut shares how sometimes you do not need luck if you simply have the passion to make a mark
From being the rebellious kid at home to being the rebel in her choice of films and characters, that eventually led her to stardom, Kangana Ranaut is the embodiment of passion to pay check.
Speaking about her personal struggles at the the Signature masterclass, Kangana said, “I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to share those aspects of my life that no one really knew. I have conquered many hurdles that were thrown at me in my journey and I am happy to have shared those experiences today. As a woman, I understand the struggles we undergo and I hope to inspire women and men alike to follow their passion irrespective of the barriers and challenges they face.”
Kangana feels that her overall journey is about how people struggle in life through various things and aspects and understanding about what do they eventually find and conquer and how do they actually achieve what they have. She said, “It’s kind of an interaction with the self.”
However, the Queen actress still doesn’t consider herself to be a master, she said, “I don’t think I can say that there’s something I can do absolutely to perfection. But there are things I can do pretty well like acting or now I can say directing.” She feels that she’s not a master but she “can do it.”
She said, “In film industry, they say it’s comparatively easy to make a film from the beginning but it’s very difficult to revive a project. So that was a kind of risk I took when the film was abandoned and during the shoot everyone was telling me that ‘you’re ruined.’ Everyone’s putting the blame on me. I realised if that’s the case what I can do? Let it be.”
She further added, “I wanted to show the film to Krish Jagarlamudi in December, but he never showed up. In fact, he was so sure that the film is completely ruined. So how could anyone revive it but when I did he just couldn’t believe. He started claiming that it’s his film. Duly credited. But the question is why a media trial? Why couldn’t he have met me and raised his concerns? He never responded to any of the invites that we extended to him. If they really feel that Manikarnika is their film, they would have not gone out in public, try and attack it on such an important week. This is a proper sabotage that people tried to do. Especially Sonu (Sood), he is bound to not to talk about the film. When his contract was terminated, he was no longer a part of the film. He didn’t hold any participation in it. Hence, there are deep-rooted agendas. It’s shocking and alarming in how many ways people can exploit a situation.”
Talking about the ups and downs in her professional life, she said, “It is like walking on thin road, especially when you’re a big personality like a politician or an actor, someone who is being constantly watched. I feel that the last few years have been extremely challenging. A lot of my films did not work. Couple of people had even filed cases against me. During an accident, I had got 18 stitches on my forehead. One tends to live in a low phase for some time after such incidents.”
However, she feels that she doesn’t get “depressed.” Rather she tries to keep herself happy and stay positive, “because that’s the key. And I indeed worry about my career, but not after a point.”
Talking about the success of the film, Manikarnika..., she said that the story of Rani Laxmibai was one that belonged to everyone. “Whatever we are today is because of heroes like her who sacrificed their lives. My sincere endeavour was to create something for people. I didn’t charge a single penny to direct. I felt absolutely devotional. I felt like I was serving the people of this nation.”
She feels that everybody should stand with Manikarnika but industry is ganging up against the film. She said, “Industry people are being absolutely obnoxious. They are not saying anything and ignoring it. The racket is so strong that even a small-time actor is secretly messaging me to praise the film. They don’t dare to write it on social media. That is how they have ganged up. There will be films like Mental Hai Kya or Panga, for which I wouldn’t say that I have done them for the nation. But Manikarnika was special. We stood with films like Queen, Dangal, that made an impact on the society. It is a shame that their pettiness is coming out.”
Photo: Pankaj Kumar