In a remarkable turn of events, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has transitioned from the silver screen to the political stage, capturing the Mandi constituency of Himachal Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Ranaut’s victory was definitive, defeating her nearest competitor, Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress, by a substantial margin of 74,755 votes. This substantial lead, confirmed by the Election Commission, marks a significant milestone in her multifaceted career.
Born in the small town of Bhambla in Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut has always had an innate connection to her roots. Running her campaign under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) banner, Ranaut emphasized her identity as the ‘daughter of the soil,’ attracting considerable attention and support from the electorate. Her first electoral triumph saw her amassing a commendable 537,022 votes, a testament to her widespread appeal and political acumen despite being a newcomer to the political arena.
Her support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been staunch and vocal, even prior to her formal political candidacy. Kangana consistently backed Modi on several high-stakes issues, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act during 2019-2020, and the contentious farmers’ protests. Her political engagements also saw her being invited to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol at Ayodhya’s Ram temple, reflecting her growing influence and acceptance within political circles.
But how did this self-made actress reach such political heights? Let’s delve into her journey.
### Movies: Beginnings and Rise to Stardom
Kangana Ranaut’s entrance into Bollywood was nothing short of dramatic. At the tender age of 17, she made her film debut under the directorship of Anurag Basu in the 2006 thriller ‘Gangster.’ Her performance earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, setting the stage for a glittering film career. It wasn’t long before she snagged her big break with the 2008 film ‘Fashion,’ a milestone that cemented her status as a versatile and powerful actress.
Over the years, Kangana has been part of several critically and commercially successful films, including ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai,’ ‘Tanu Weds Manu,’ ‘Krrish 3,’ and the widely acclaimed ‘Queen.’ Her portrayal in ‘Queen’ particularly shot her into the limelight, establishing her as one of the most talented actresses in the industry. Not one to rest on her laurels, Kangana went on to launch her own production house, Manikarnika Films, and is poised to release her first solo directorial venture, ‘Emergency.’
### Accolades: Recognition and Awards
Kangana’s talent has not gone unnoticed. She is the proud recipient of the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, and has won four National Film Awards.
. She first won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘Fashion.’ Her back-to-back wins for Best Actress in ‘Queen’ and ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ highlighted her exceptional range and depth as an actress. Further proving her mettle, she clinched her fourth National Film Award for her role in ‘Panga,’ where she portrayed a sportswoman with commendable authenticity.
### Assets: A Peek into Her Wealth
Her financial declarations during the election revealed a substantial asset base of over Rs 91.5 crore and a debt of Rs 17 crore. Kangana’s investments include 50 LIC policies and significant sums in cash and bank accounts. Real estate forms a large portion of her portfolio, including three Mumbai flats worth Rs 16 crore, four commercial properties in Chandigarh, and a luxurious Rs 15 crore bungalow in Manali, along with an additional commercial unit there. Her automotive collection is equally impressive, boasting a Mercedes Maybach valued at Rs 3.91 crore, a BMW costing Rs 98 lakh, and a Mercedes Benz worth Rs 58 lakh. Additionally, she owns a Vespa scooter valued at Rs 53,000. Her jewellery holdings are not to be scoffed at, including 6.7 kg of gold valued around Rs 5 crore, 60 kg of silver worth Rs 50 lakh, and diamond jewellery appraised at Rs 3 crore.
### Legal Hurdles: The Actress’s Brush with the Law
Kangana’s outspoken nature has, at times, landed her in legal predicaments. She faces multiple defamation suits, including those filed by lyricist Javed Akhtar, a case regarding her tweet on the farmers’ protests that was later deleted, and another for alleged hate speech that questioned the “integrity of the country.” Additional legal troubles include a copyright infringement case, filed by Ashish Kaul, and allegations related to a controversial post about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Despite these challenges, Kangana has continued to voice her opinions fearlessly, whether it was calling out Bollywood bigwigs like Karan Johar as the “flagbearer of nepotism” or provoking debates about the industry’s insider-outsider divide.
As Kangana Ranaut embarks on her new journey as a member of the Lok Sabha, it remains to be seen how her fiery persona and unyielding spirit will shape her political career. What is certain, however, is that she has already proven her capability to excel across vastly different fields, making her one of the most intriguing personalities in contemporary India.
(With inputs from Agencies)
