Bharatiya Janata Party MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has been in the headlines in recent days after she had an exchange with CJP spokesperson Saurav Das over Gen Z comments. Amid the ongoing spotlight on the actor-politician, Kangana’s old interview has resurfaced in which she looked back on her journey in Bollywood, comparing her rise to Shah Rukh KhanAnd spoke candidly about why she was never exposed to the social culture of the industry.
Why she’s compared to Shah Rukh Khan
In an old podcast with Raj Shamani, Kangana said that she and Shah Rukh Khan are among the few outsiders who have reached the pinnacle of success in the Hindi film industry but are not part of a film family. At the same time, she noted that her background made her journey more challenging.“I think I said that Shah Rukh and I were two outsiders (and they really are). Shah Rukh Khan is from Delhi, not from the film industry. He became a top star. I am from the hills, his mother is a magistrate, he comes from a family where English is spoken very well, he comes from a convent and came to Mumbai from Delhi, there is not much difference isn’t it? But I come from a village, I’m a girl and I came here as a teenager, so my journey was more difficult. That being said, he also doesn’t have parents, so I would compare it that way, but I think that’s about it. “Her remarks highlighted how she sees their careers as examples of outsiders achieving great success in the Hindi film industry, while acknowledging the different circumstances they faced.
Why Bollywood never feels like home
Kangana also opened up about her relationships with people from the film industry. When asked if she had any friends in Bollywood, she said she never felt like she belonged in that world.“Listen, I’m not a Bollywood type of person, okay. I certainly can’t be friends with Bollywood people.”The actress further explained her point of view, adding:“Bollywood people are so self-righteous. They’re stupid, they’re stupid, they’re (all) about protein shakes and that (life).”When the interviewer brought up the point that not everyone in the industry is the same, Kangana elaborated on why she struggled to fit in with the lifestyle around her.“Come on, I’ve seen enough Bollywood to know this, don’t tell me. If they are not filming, their routine is to wake up in the morning, do some physical training, go to bed in the afternoon, wake up again, go to the gym, and go back to sleep or watch TV at night. They are like grasshoppers, blank. How can you be friends with such a person? They don’t know what’s going on, they don’t have conversations, they meet, they drink (and discuss their clothes, accessories). I would be shocked if I found a decent person in Bollywood who could talk about influences or cars. “
What she thinks about Bollywood parties
The actress also shared why she prefers to stay away from Bollywood parties and said she never finds them enjoyable.“The conversation they were having was awkward. It was trauma, Bollywood parties were like trauma to me.”
A career built on her own terms
Over the years, Kangana has built her reputation with her performances in films like Fashion, Queen, Tanu Marries Manu, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi and Thalaivi. Whether it’s through her performances or her outspoken opinions, she remains one of the most talked about figures in the entertainment industry.
