Kangana Ranaut is a brand today but she didn’t start out as one. The actress that personifies fiery, feisty and fun came from humble beginnings. She could have been yet another outsider, who makes an impact in a few films before fading into oblivion but she chose to be the queen of an industry that she had once struggled her way into. If there was a formula for success, Kangana sure wouldn’t have followed that. Call it her sense of righteousness or plain rebellion, there is no denying that she likes to take the road less travelled to reach where she is going. What else would explain her disregard for tradition? Right from running away from home to follow her dreams at the age of 16 to taking on one of the most influential men of the industry in a battle of words – Kangana has been there and done that. On her birthday today, here’s looking at the stereotypes that Kangana Ranaut has slayed in order to make a name for herself…
Patriarchal ways of the society and family
It is exemplary to talk about feminism on Women’s Day and convenient to forget about it for the rest of the year. But for Kangana the fight against patriarchy began right at birth. Speaking at length about how she was the unwanted, even dreaded second girl child, Kangana relayed her experience of growing up in a family where conventions were meant to be followed instead of broken. Be it the right to eat at the same time as the men of the family or the right to follow her dreams – Kangana has battled it out and won. And while Indian women forever live in the shadow of the men in their lives, Kangana spoke up in front of her father. Recalling the incident, she said, “My father slapped me for the first time at 15 and I told him, ‘If you slap me I will slap you back’. I felt raising your hand on anybody is inappropriate and always had a high regard for myself.”
(Also read: Kangana Ranaut to have a working birthday, will kickstart the Rani Lakshmibai biopic: read details)
The label of being an outsider
Kangana Ranaut had no godfather in the industry. She had to make it big on her own and this meant a lot of struggle. Things didn’t come easy for her either. After almost being dropped out of Gangster, when she finally did land the film and also won a National Award for her performance, she was typecast as the perpetually depressed woman finding solace at the bottom of a bottle. Reflecting on the struggle of the initial days, Kangana had said, “When I started out, I was treated like a dog. People in the industry treated me like I didn’t deserve to be spoken to and I was some unwanted object. I couldn’t speak English fluently and people made fun of me for that. So dealing with rejection became a part of life. I may have had hits, but till date I’ve never worked with a Shah Rukh Khan or an Akshay Kumar, or Aamir or Salman. I have made my career out of leftovers and rejects of other actresses.” It takes a Kangana to admit to something like this.
Accent – have it, flaunt it
The national language of India is Hindi but English is the preferred language of the country’s elite and often associated with literacy and class. The lack of it, therefore, is laughable. And god forbid if you have an accent! However, what’s funny is that India enjoys diversity and that includes the diversity of language. In such a scenario, accents should be acceptable. But Kangana was mocked for hers severely. Right from the manner in which she spoke English to her intonation – everything was made fun of by industry insiders. This also made fodder for comedy shows. But not the one to be bogged down by such name-calling, Kangana worked on her accent and now speaks impeccable English. When questioned about this, Kangana had a very candid answer. She said, “Haan hai mera accent, toh kya ho gaya? Yaha pe inko mera accent fake lagta hai, yeh log jab khud bahar jaate hain toh unko inka accent fake lagta hai (Yes I have an accent so? They feel I have a fake accent and when they themselves go West, people then find their accents fake.)”
Why should men have all the fun
Kangana has been linked to a lot of men ever since she started her career, which is not surprising given that’s the way that the industry functions. However, rather than denying the rumours or referring to them as ‘just good friends,’ Kangana has always been vocal about the men she dated. And while many actresses are open about their personal life to the media, Kangy doesn’t mind talking about the romances gone awry too. Be it calling an actor a silly ex, or taking an offence to an ex calling her period blood gross – Kangana has been downright hilarious when it comes to dealing with the men who dared to cross her. However, this hasn’t put her off men. In an interview, she recently revealed, “Yes, I am in a relationship. There is indeed a man in my life and I am enjoying it. I do want to get married. But then, I have often chosen to fall for the wrongest guy in the world.” Trust Kangana to say something like this even while talking about her current flame.
Pay parity after all chhoriyaan chhoron se kam hai ke?
Does it come as a surprise that Kangana, of all actresses, would talk about pay parity? Not to us, it doesn’t. The actress has been fighting for her rights since a child and it is only natural that she would want to be at par with her male counterpart as far as the pay package is concerned. Besides, she makes a point. While talking about it, Kangy had said, “I can speak for myself. I don’t know what others are doing. If you’re doing one scene and two songs in a film, you cannot expect to be paid at par with the actors. And if you have given one of the biggest blockbusters of all times, you can go ahead and demand that much money.” Makes sense.
It’s all in the nepotism
Kangana took everyone by surprise yet again when she decided to take on Karan Johar on his own show, Koffee With Karan. The actress, who is known to speak her mind, decided to go all rogue on the show’s host and said, “In my biopic, if it’s ever made, you’ll be the stereotypical Bollywood biggie who is snooty and completely intolerant to outsiders. Flag-bearer of nepotism, the movie mafia.” This, obviously, led to a lot of tension between the two and heated words are being exchanged ever since. While we don’t want to take sides, it is indeed an act of sheer courage to be able to lock horns with one of the best filmmakers of the industry, who is on good terms with almost everyone in the business. But, well, for Kangana an adversary no less would do!
On her birthday today, all we have to say to her is, ‘Banno tera swagger laage sexy!’