As Bollywood’s fiery star Kangana Ranaut commemorates her 37th year, we reflect on the remarkable journey that catapulted her to the apex of Indian cinema. An 18-year-long career, embellished with exemplary performances and a string of accolades, has firmly established her as a leading figure in the industry. Renowned for her bold choices and formidable presence, both on and off-screen, today we celebrate the remarkable trajectory of the actor, now also a director and producer, as she continues to enchant and inspire audiences worldwide.
Kangana’s foray into the filmic domain was marked by her debut in Anurag Basu’s ‘Gangster’ in 2006. The film, exploring the nexus of a bar dancer and a gangster (Shiny Ahuja) with Emraan Hashmi also playing a pivotal role, offered the first glimpse of Kangana’s potential as a formidable actor. It set the stage for a career characterized by versatility and a nonconformist approach to the art of acting.
In the 2008 drama ‘Fashion,’ she transcended expectations with a powerful portrayal of a troubled model. Amidst a cast headlined by Priyanka Chopra, Kangana’s performance did not just stand out—it soared, earning her the first of many National Awards and catapulting her into the limelight as an artist of formidable depth and craft.
But perhaps it was with the movie ‘Queen’ in 2014 that Kangana truly became the sovereign of hearts. As the jilted Rani Mehra, who embarks on a soul-searching journey solo, Kangana captured the zeitgeist for an entire generation of women striving for self-discovery and independence in a patriarchal society. This role not only won her widespread acclaim but also her second National Award, cementing her reputation as a performer par excellence.
Turning to the lighter side of cinema, Kangana’s work in Aanand L Rai’s ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ series (2011 and 2015) showcased her flair for comedy. Her portrayals of the vivacious Tanu and the athlete Kusum in ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ broke new ground, challenging her craft and embracing comic timing with ease. This double act enthralled audiences and critics alike and led to her winning another National Award for the sequel.
In 2019, Kangana explored a new dimension of filmmaking as she co-directed ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’, shouldering the dual responsibility with Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi. Donning the armor of the warrior queen Rani Laxmibai, her fierce performance was recognized with yet another National Award, illustrating her dexterity in both acting and filmmaking.
The sports drama ‘Panga’ (2020) brought Kangana into the relatable milieu of a retired Kabbadi player yearning for a triumphant return to sport, while juggling the demands of motherhood and societal expectations. Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwary, the film was a testament to Kangana’s ability to portray the layered facets of the lives of everyday women.
The recent biopic ‘Thalaivii’ saw Kangana step into the shoes of the late J. Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu’s revered leader, and former film actress, showcasing an awe-inspiring transformation for the role, including gaining significant weight to authentically depict the politician’s later life.
Looking ahead, Kangana’s slate is replete with promising ventures. One such project is the reunion with R Madhavan in an upcoming pan-India psychological thriller directed by ‘Thalaivii’ director Vijay. This team, already proven in chemistry and success, promises a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences across linguistic and cultural divides. Furthermore, her directorial venture ‘Emergency’, based on the life of India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, stands testament to her unwavering ambition and drive to push cinematic frontiers.
As we chronicle her ascension to stardom, Kangana Ranaut’s illustrious career stands as an inspiration to many. Her remarkable versatility as an actor and her fearless determination to carve her unique niche in the male-dominated sphere of Indian cinema have earned her a place among the greats. On her 37th birthday, her awe-inspiring journey through cinema continues to captivate and command attention, proving time and again that she is indeed, as her movie title proclaims, the quintessential ‘Queen’ of acting.
