Kangana Ranaut recently revealed that she has deliberately declined offers to work with leading Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor and Akshay Kumar.
Known for her strong stance on carving her path in the industry, Kangana admitted that she has consciously avoided working with top actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ranbir Kapoor. She emphasized that her decision was aimed at setting an example that actresses can establish themselves in Bollywood without relying on these A-listers.
In a candid discussion on a recent podcast, Kangana Ranaut spoke about her film choices, proudly stating that she has not collaborated with the five leading men of Bollywood. She criticized the common template of films featuring these stars, where female roles are often limited to a few scenes and songs. Kangana made it clear that she did not want to be confined to such roles.
“I refused films led by the Khans. They have always been kind to me and have never treated me poorly. However, I turned down their films because they often follow a set formula where the heroine has minimal screen time. I wanted to be an example of a top actress who has not worked with the Khans,” Kangana shared during the podcast with Raj Shamani.
She further expressed her belief that no top actor can single-handedly make an actress successful. Kangana highlighted that she had also declined offers from Ranbir Kapoor and Akshay Kumar, as she did not want to perpetuate the idea that only a male star can make a female star successful. “You can be successful on your own as well. I set that example,” she added.
Kangana also offered advice to newcomers, suggesting that early in their careers, they should take up any good work that comes their way. She noted that activism in choosing roles should only come later when one has a say in the matter.
Kangana’s filmography reflects her preference for female-centric roles, especially after the success of movies like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu. She has also appeared in films such as Fashion and Thalaivii, which did not feature any A-list male stars.
Up next, Kangana will be seen in Emergency, a film she both stars in and directs, based on the Emergency period in India during the early 1980s under Indira Gandhi’s rule.
