‘I am the best thing I know’

Nonika Singh

“I am not going to defend myself.” And that by the way is no apology or confession. Nor can she ever be short of words. Only Kangana Ranaut, the actor with dare and chutzpah who has changed the rules of Bollywood both onscreen and off it, can’t quite understand what the fuss is all about.

“To be able to live life on one’s own terms” she feels is the most basic natural birthright that every independent woman deserves. And if for that people see the three-time National Award winning actor who will be playing Rani Laxmi Bai in a biopic directed by Ketan Mehta, as one big rebel, so be it.

She is not here to change people’s perceptions of what they think she stands for. A role model for women or just a motor-mouth or another one of the Gen Next brigade, she reasons, “There are a whole lot of women out there who like me were born in late eighties. They are educated, they ask questions and they want equal opportunities and it’s hard to shut them up.”

In fact, it’s not just Bollywood which has come a long way in projecting women. Sure from one odd woman director to the entire crew being dominated by women, there has been a paradigm shift. But she feels that if the film industry is changing, so is the corresponding world outside of it. And it’s women who are driving the change. She adds, “Women are also the consumers of the entertainment industry. Gone are the days when they were at the disposal of their husbands for the choices they made... which movie to watch and when. Now, they want to see films that stimulate them.” But as many see her as an epitome of women empowerment...did she ever envision this position? She laughs (which incidentally she does quite a bit) and quips, “The picture I had in my mind when I started out was different. However, at times you hope for something good to happen and things turn out to better than the best.” To those who perceive her indefatigable attitude as arrogance, she rests her case with no arguments. She won’t use media to earn brownie points. What gives her the dare to be herself is unflinching, unshakeable faith in her ability.

“At every step of my life I have dealt with tests and have come out of every battle with flying colours.” Hailing her journey as rather heroic, she is mighty proud of being what and who she is. I am the best thing I know and this I am not saying out of any whim or fancy. I have huge self-respect for myself.” Indeed, she may not speak on other’s behalf but certainly speaks her mind, which by her own admission is a sharp one. Indeed, even in a fleeting interaction it shines and sparkles as does her laughter.

Body & spirit 

Kangana Ranaut has a reputation for saying no to brands that are out of sync with her sensibilities. In Chandigarh for a fitness brand, she said yes (to being a brand ambassador) for being fit for her is hugely important. However, while being fit and healthy may mean the same thing to her, a glamorous body with the right proportions is not her yardstick of fitness. Not exactly a fitness ‘fitness’ freak, she is not the kind who would fret and fume over missing out her workout. For a role like in the upcoming Rangoon, she would, however, go an extra mile and train as hard as required. Being a vegetarian (she turned one four years ago) changed her in many ways and today she deems herself super-fit.

nonikasingh@tribunemail.com