Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has once again sparked headlines with her candid remarks, this time drawing comparisons between her journey in Bollywood and that of superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Speaking at the News18 India Chaupal event in New Delhi, the Queen actor emphasized her humble beginnings and how her rise to fame has been marked by greater struggles than many of her contemporaries.
“Why did I get so much success? There is probably nobody else who came from a village and got such success in the mainstream,” Kangana said. “You talk about Shah Rukh Khan — he is from Delhi, convent-educated. I was from a village that nobody would have even heard of – Bhamla,” she added, referring to her small-town roots in Himachal Pradesh. Kangana acknowledged that her remarks might draw criticism but maintained that her honesty—both with herself and others—sets her apart.
When asked why she chose not to collaborate with Bollywood heavyweights like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan or accept big-budget films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Zero, Kangana responded unapologetically. “There was a time when I wanted to work with them. But my journey over the last 10 years has been a struggle. I was dismissed because I didn’t fit into the typical mold of ‘item numbers’ or ‘comedy scenes,’” she explained.
Kangana credited her success to forging her own path, citing films like Queen, Tanu Weds Manu, and Manikarnika as turning points. “The audience has shown immense love for me. So why should I stand next to someone and do a side role? Or perform an item number for two scenes? What is that worth? Hai kya woh? Hum bhi hai na,” she declared.
Debuting in 2006 with Anurag Basu’s Gangster, Kangana quickly made her mark with powerful roles in films like Fashion (2008). Her most recent appearance was in Emergency, a political drama where she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and also served as director.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan, who last appeared in Dunki (2023), recently made a cameo in his son Aryan Khan’s web series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. He is currently filming King, directed by Siddharth Anand, marking his first on-screen collaboration with daughter Suhana Khan. The film, also starring Deepika Padukone and Rani Mukerji, is set for a 2026 release.