Kangana Ranaut, known for her bold statements, is once again in the spotlight. As she promotes her upcoming film, Emergency, the actress-turned-politician shared her thoughts on the challenges she faced in her career. In a recent interview, Kangana compared her journey in Bollywood to that of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, claiming that her struggles were much tougher.
Kangana’s Tough Journey to Bollywood
In a candid conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Kangana Ranaut discussed the difficulties she faced in establishing herself as an actress. She contrasted her background with Shah Rukh Khan’s, noting that while he grew up in a family that was well-educated and fluent in English, her path was far more challenging. Kangana pointed out that Shah Rukh attended a convent school in Delhi and came from a family where his mother was a magistrate. In contrast, Kangana came from a village and began her journey in Bollywood as a teenager.
She explained, “His mother was a magistrate. He comes from a family that speaks good English, he came from a convent. From Delhi to Mumbai, it’s not much of a difference. But I came from a village and I’m a girl and I came as a teenager. My journey was much more difficult.”
Balancing Out Struggles
Kangana acknowledged that Shah Rukh Khan lost his parents at a young age, which adds to his struggles. However, she maintained that her journey was still more challenging due to her background and the obstacles she faced as a young girl entering the film industry.
For those unfamiliar with her early career, Kangana made her acting debut with the film Gangster in 2006, which catapulted her to stardom. Despite rumors that she was discovered by filmmaker Anurag Basu at a café in Mumbai, Kangana clarified on the podcast that she earned her role through multiple auditions. She dismissed the notion of being “discovered” on the street as a mere PR strategy.
Kangana’s Rise in Bollywood
Kangana Ranaut’s journey from a small village to becoming one of Bollywood’s leading actresses is truly inspirational. She has portrayed a range of memorable characters in films like Fashion, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, and Tanu Weds Manu. Her career has been marked by significant challenges, including personal struggles that she openly discusses.
Venturing Into Politics
Beyond her acting career, Kangana has never shied away from speaking her mind. She was one of the first actresses to bring attention to issues like nepotism and the so-called “movie mafia” in Bollywood. Her outspokenness and advocacy for addressing current issues eventually led her into politics. In 2024, Kangana was elected as a Member of Parliament from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, marking the beginning of her political journey.
Conclusion
Kangana Ranaut’s comparison of her struggles with those of Shah Rukh Khan has sparked a fresh debate. While both stars have overcome significant obstacles to reach where they are today, Kangana’s story of rising from a village to Bollywood stardom adds a unique dimension to her narrative. What are your thoughts on Kangana’s perspective on her journey?
