Actress Kangana Ranaut, currently contesting for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, has sparked discussions with her recent assertion. She claimed to command a level of respect within the film industry comparable to legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan. Ranaut made this statement during one of her election rallies, emphasizing her popularity among the public.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Kangana Ranaut claimed, “The entire country is astonished… whether I go to Rajasthan, West Bengal, Delhi, or Manipur, it seems like there is so much love and respect. I can confidently say that after Amitabh Bachchan ji, if anyone in the industry receives such love and respect, it’s me.”
Kangana Ranaut’s comparison to the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan sparked diverse reactions online. While some netizens praised her confidence, others saw it as an instance of self-aggrandizement, particularly given her recent series of box office failures. “Kangana’s last hit film came in 2015 and after that she gave back-to-back 15 flops. Here she is comparing herself to Amitabh Bachchan,” remarked a verified parody account on social media.
In 2016, Kangana Ranaut and Amitabh Bachchan were both honored with National Awards for their outstanding acting. Kangana won the Best Actress award for her performance in ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’, while Amitabh received the Best Actor award for his role in ‘Piku’. Despite Kangana’s acclaimed performances in ‘Queen’ and ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’, they haven’t worked together in any film yet.
On the political front, Kangana is currently contesting for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, adding a layer of complexity to her public persona as both an artist and a politician.
Kangana’s upcoming movie “Emergency,” in which she portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is expected to be a significant cinematic event upon its release on June 14, 2024. This film reunites her with writer Ritesh Shah, who previously collaborated with her on “Dhaakad,” and continues to generate buzz with Kangana’s statements.