“When there is a big hero in the film you’re just a sidekick,” says Kangana Ranaut

When Kangana Ranaut made her acting debut with Vishesh Films’ Gangster in 2006, nobody had thought that she would come so far. But with her sheer hard work, dedication and perseverance, she took herself to the peak of stardom and established herself as the reigning queen of Bollywood.

By delivering such huge hits as Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Queen (2014) and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2017), Kangana Ranaut proved that an actress does not necessarily need a male superstar to score big hits at the box-office. Apart from films, the actress has also been in news for being in the centre of several controversies.

In a recent interview, when Kangana Ranaut was asked if she feels pressurized by labels, she said, “I don’t think so. When you finally get what you seek and what you long for, you shouldn’t take it as a liability, isn’t it? I have always wanted to be somebody who is not the hero’s sidekick because when there is a big hero in the film you are just a sidekick. So, now that the time has come, I don’t see it as a liability.”

The three-time National Award-winning actress also went on to share her opinion on song and dance sequences in Hindi films. “Well, there is nothing wrong in singing and dancing. But if the other gender is ridiculed and made to look like a lesser being or an accessory to make you look good, then it is a problem because you are the one who is being enhanced,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut is preparing for her next film Thalaivi. It is a multilingual biopic based on the life of former actress and politician Jayalalithaa. Directed by AL Vijay, the biopic is being produced on a lavish budget of approximately ₹ 100 crore. She will next be seen in Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s sports drama Panga.