Kangana Ranaut: From Her Past Controversies as an Actress to Defending Slurs on 'Mandi' Constituency as a BJP Candidate

Mumbai- A recent derogatory post by a Congress leader targeting actor Kangana Ranaut's political debut has ignited a fresh controversy, prompting the National Commission for Women to call for action against the politician.

The post, shared on Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate's Instagram handle, featured a photo of Ranaut, who is contesting the national elections on a BJP ticket from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

In response to Shrinate's remarks, Ranaut, known for her diverse roles, including portraying a prostitute in "Rajjo" and a revolutionary leader in "Thalaivii," took to social media to address the criticism.

Expressing her reaction, Kangana posted on X, " Dear Supriya ji In the last 20 years of my career as an artist I have played all kinds of women. From a naive girl in Queen to a seductive spy in Dhaakad, from a goddess in Manikarnika to a demon in Chandramukhi, from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii. We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur… every woman deserves her dignity."

"If a young man gets ticket his ideology is attacked if a young woman gets ticket her sexuality is attacked. Strange!! Also congress people are sexualising a small town's name. Mandi is being used in sexual context everywhere, just because it has a young woman candidate, shame on Congress people for displaying sexist tendencies," she said in another post.

Meanwhile, Ms Shrinate issued a video clarification and said she had deleted the "inappropriate posts" that were made from her handle without her knowledge.

The NCW, led by Chairperson Rekha Sharma, has swiftly responded to this incident by sending a formal letter to the Election Commissioner of India. In the letter, the NCW demands immediate and strict action against Supriya Shrinate and H.S. Ahir, for the lewd and derogatory remarks about Ranaut, also emphasizing the intolerable nature of their behavior and its violation of the dignity of women.

However, this incident is just one in a series of controversies that Kangana has been embroiled in. Throughout her career, she has been known for her outspoken comments and reactions, often sparking controversies with fellow actors and directors in Bollywood.

Rumors surrounding Ranaut's political ambitions escalated following her recent meeting with BJP's National President JP Nadda at her residence in Kullu. These speculations gained credibility when the BJP officially declared her nomination from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi constituency for the impending Lok Sabha elections, reflecting a broader trend of Indian celebrities venturing into public service and shaping the nation's socio-political landscape.

Past Controversies

Throughout her illustrious career, Kangana Ranaut has been renowned for her outspoken views on social and political issues, attracting both admiration and controversy.

Following Congress leader Supriya Shrinate's clarification regarding her post on Instagram handle, the party has criticized Ranaut for her past derogatory remarks against actor Urmila Matondkar.

Srinivas BV, president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), shared a video of Ranaut referring to Matondkar as a "soft porn star" after her stint with the Congress. While acknowledging Shrinate's deletion and condemnation of the post, Srinivas BV denounced Ranaut's comments in the strongest terms.

Kangana also sparked a controversy when she called Taapsee Pannu and Swara Bhasker ‘B Grade’ actors, few years ago.

In 2020, after Kangana tweeted to say Taapsee was a ‘B-grade actress’, she responded to the tweet with a sarcastic comment that further fuelled the war on Twitter and the Manikarnika star called her ‘sasti copy’. 

Earlier, during an episode of "Koffee with Karan," Kangana had sparked a heated debate by boldly labeling Karan Johar as the "torchbearer of nepotism," straining relationships within the Bollywood industry.

In 2021, Ranaut courted controversy again with her remarks on India's independence, suggesting that true freedom for Indian citizens was achieved in 2014, linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's electoral victory. These statements elicited sharp criticism, with many deeming them disrespectful to the sacrifices of freedom fighters.

Additionally, reports surfaced indicating that Ranaut threatened legal action against a prominent Indian magazine for persistently nominating her for awards for her film "Thalaivii." She also found herself embroiled in a public feud with actor Hrithik Roshan, alleging a romantic entanglement during the filming of "Krrish."

In 2020, Ranaut ignited controversy once again with a statement likening Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), drawing condemnation from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and prompting a municipal inspection at her production house. However, the Bombay High Court intervened, halting the demolition drive initiated by the BMC.

Over the past few years, Kangana Ranaut has maintained an active presence on social media, regularly sharing glimpses of her personal life with her fans. She often shares endearing childhood photographs, providing insights into her upbringing in Himachal Pradesh. In February 2023, she delighted her followers by sharing nostalgic images from her school days, further engaging her audience with her journey from a small town to stardom.