Nepotism to sexism and more: Top quotes by Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut’s journey in Bollywood is the stuff dreams are made of. And when the actor speaks her mind, she’s also the biggest nightmare of those at the receiving end. In the 11 years she’s been in the industry, the fiery actor has already carved an enviable space for herself, no less than any other A-lister’s. She is known as much for her choice of films and performance as for her unapologetic attitude and outspoken nature.

She has won three National Awards and four Filmfare awards to her credit. Be it taking on against nepotism in Bollywood (Karan Johar) or fighting it out for her beliefs against a superstar (Hrithik Roshan), she has never been afraid to speak her mind.

Here’s a look at six of the most hard-hitting, honest and unapologetic statements Kangana has given:

1. Can’t tolerate bullying
When asked if negative comments affect her, Kangana said, “If it’s constructive, it will definitely be something that will add to me and my growth, but if it’s just some sort of mocking or bullying, that’s not criticism... That’s just bullying. I will definitely not tolerate that.”

2. I was playing the badass card, not the victim card
Reacting to Karan Johar’s statements that Kangana was playing the victim card, the Rangoon star told Mumbai Mirror, “I use every card possible. At the workplace, it’s the badass card to fight cutthroat competition. With my family and loved ones, it’s the love card. When fighting the world, it’s the dignity card, and for a seat in a bus, it’s the woman card. What is important to understand is that we are not fighting people, we are fighting a mentality. I am not fighting Karan Johar, I am fighting male chauvinism.”

3. If she’s sexually active, she becomes a whore
Reacting to ex-boyfriend Adhyayan Suman’s accusations of practising black magic, Kangana had said, “When they’re jealous of a woman’s success, the first thing she becomes is a daayan. If she’s crazily successful, she becomes a psychopath. If she’s sexually active, she becomes a whore. I’ve played a whore on screen, and my close interaction with prostitutes has allowed me to be extremely empathetic to them. So it doesn’t work on me. Witches - I love Shakespeare, and like any other artist, I’m also smitten by witches, or faeries, or demons, or Gods, or mysticism, or romanticism. It doesn’t scare me.”

4. On carrying the tag of being a feminist
“That tag sits a little heavy on me. Right now, that tag seems a bit superficial on me. I haven’t done anything significant to deserve this. I wouldn’t want to pretend I’m doing something for the society when I’m not. The day I do, I’d take pride in that. I wouldn’t want to take credit for something I’m not intentionally doing.”

5.On working with the Khans
“Why should I work with the Khans? In the beginning, I wanted to have a conventional, very easy route where I can work with big heroes and be a big heroine. Now I get a lot of offers to work with the Khans. When I wanted work, nobody was ready to work with me. Now that I’m my own hero on the sets, why should I work with other heroes?”

6. Taking on Karan Johar’s ‘nepotism’
Speaking on Karan Johar’s talk show Koffee with Karan, Kangana said, “In my biopic, if it is ever made, you will play the stereotypical villain. One who is intolerant of outsiders.. the flag-bearer of nepotism in Bollywood and movie mafia.”