Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; March 23, 2018)

Kangana Ranaut is turning a year older today and she is celebrating it by planting trees around her newly-done bungalow in Manali. She turns 31 and in a symbolic gesture, she has planted as many trees over the last one week.

Besides the ones that she has planted, she plans to grow kiwis, cherries, apricots, and apples. She has also gifted herself a grand piano and has started taking lessons. “Learning the piano was always on my bucket list and this is the perfect time. I am a classical music freak and always attend such concerts. So, this was a conscious decision. Piano is very tough and as of now, my teacher is playing and I am only listening,” she laughs.

As for developing an interest in gardening, Kangana says it has been passed on to her by her mother. “My mamma always maintained a kitchen garden where we would grow vegetables and apples. I have always had fresh veggies from there. But I realised my love for gardening only now. I like to eat organic food and I love getting my shoes and hands dirty while digging the soil and planting trees. It takes an hour every day and is tiring, but it’s also a stress buster,” says Kangana.

What are her plans this year? “As you get into your 30s, there is a shift in your personality. The things you really want become clear to you. Besides professional growth, I want to grow in the personal space, too. I want to improve my personality, learn many other things, and be the woman I’ve always wanted to be.”

“I am halfway there, but I can do so much better. As an actor, you are either in your character, or studying other people — you hardly get time to be yourself. This is the time I want to do all that,” she elaborates.

Professionally, the actress has wrapped up the shoot of Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi and will soon start her next, Mental Hai Kya. “I look forward to promoting Manikarnika. It is the highest-budget female-centric film in India. They are planning a massive campaign to promote the movie, which releases in August. Rani Lakshmibai deserves it. It is her legacy and we are just a medium to present it,” she says.

On her birthday today, Kangana will visit the Kartikeya temple, that is next to her house. “It is going to be like any other day here. I will be gardening and having my piano classes. My family has planned an elaborate lunch, though I don’t like to eat much,” she signs off.