Kangana Ranaut on ‘nepotism gangs’ launching ‘smear campaigns’ against her, why her sister is on social media with guns blazing while she isn’t, and plans to kick off an action film shortly
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 15, 2019)

After the sartorial rigours of the Cannes Film Festival, Kangana Ranaut headed home in Manali for some downtime. On the work front, the actress is gearing up for the release of Prakash Kovelamudi’s Mental Hai Kya, which reunites her with her Queen co-star Rajkummar Rao. Then, there’s Panga, her first project with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, which she will resume shooting for next month. In this conversation, the actress opens about work, family and outliving ‘smear campaigns’. Excerpts:

How is it going in Manali?
It’s been a while since I came here. I was here briefly for New Year’s... me directing Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi was unexpected and it took time as it was a massive project. Then, I jumped into Mental Hai Kya and Panga. After Cannes, I found myself tired all the time from travelling and the kabaddi matches that I was shooting for Panga in night shifts. The quality of air and water in Manali is so amazing, you recover quickly.

You aren’t on social media but your sister Rangoli Chandel has been making news by standing up for you during controversies…
When Rangoli was in Mumbai, she wanted her social environment to be pleasant, she has a family and her husband was working in the city at the time. Now, she has no f**ks to give and I like that kind of freedom. I don’t sit on her head and tell her what she should say. She is her own person and she has quietly observed all these industry people. Being an ostrich, keeping our eyes shut, has not helped us at all. So now she is completely at it. (laughs)

Any plans to make your own social media debut?
There are so many problematic things in the world and I’m a very conscious person, I’m very aware. I don’t want to be on social media and be bothered about problematic things that social media doesn’t provide solutions for. I can’t invest so much time on something that doesn’t deal with an issue. Rangoli says that people have taken advantage of my absence on the social media. She says that though I have helped people build hospitals and gifted a Rs two-and-half-crore flat to my yoga teacher, nobody knows about these things as I don’t talk about it. Sometimes she makes videos of me to share online. I find it funny, but she feels it’s important. In my past relationships I never made videos and even that went against me... Today, everything must be proved with photos and videos. How do I become a person who records and documents everything, so no one questions me tomorrow? I can’t live like that, it’s strange.

Recently, Rangoli also revealed on Twitter that Hrithik Roshan’s sister, Sunaina, has been calling both of you.
It is true that Sunaina and I were always good friends and so was her family. Now they claim differently. Yes, she has been in touch with me, but I don’t want to take advantage of her family dispute. Sunaina is still a friend but I will not hit somebody when they are down.

When do you resume work on Panga?
We will first release Mental Hai Kya. Prakash Kovelamudi is a new director but is good at his job. For Panga, I will be shooting the last of my portions in seven days next month.

What about Jayalalitha biopic Thalaivi?
That film will be in Hindi and Tamil and we begin by the year-end in Chennai. After that I am doing an action film that I will announce soon. Following that I will begin work on my next directorial (first being Manikarnika).

Manikarnika has made it to the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival…
It’s surprising because we never sent any entries to any film festival. We always thought the film is relevant to India, but it resonated with international audiences as well. When it released, I felt there were deliberate campaigns to kill it. Something like this validates the universal appeal of Manikarnika. So many people watched it but were hiding just because they didn’t want to speak about the film. Now, it seems like a sweet Cinderella story that has happened to us.

The film was mired in controversy. Your co-actors Mishti Chakraborty and Sonu Sood spoke negatively about you, and a video of you on a wooden horse was released.
I know who released that video. Two other actors of the nepotism gang were also learning horse-riding at the same place as me. They practised for one day and got so sore that they didn’t return. I was galloping and doing all sorts of stunts. The wooden horse was only used for close-up shots. Just because they cannot ride a horse they got jealous of me and released the video.

I rode a horse in Rangoon too, it’s not new for me. Mishti said she was asked to speak up, but who is making her speak? It’s all about ganging up against me. Sonu and I share a personal trainer. Again, situations were manipulated to force people to speak against me. Some trade experts were forced to show our film’s collections as half of the actual numbers. All the people who pretend that they don’t have PRs send the maximum number of mails against others. One smear campaign was started by Karan Johar’s gang against me by paying reviewers. When I talk about it, people think I sound like a loony character, but what option am I left with?

But Mishti Chakraborty is glad she took up the role of Kashibai
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 17, 2018)

Mishti Chakraborty who made her debut with Subhash Ghai’s Kaanchi: The Unbreakable opposite Kartik Aaryan in 2014, will be seen next as Kashibai in Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi. She informs that it was the film’s producer, Kamal Jain,who had reached out to her with the role. “I was hesitant because I wasn’t keen on a secondary character. He (Jain) explained that the character is an important one as Kashibai was Lakshmibai’s childhood friend and her emotional anchor. Every historical figure cannot be a hero all by himself or herself, there are others who make them in becoming one,” she reasons.

Speaking about her rapport with Kangana, Mishti asserts that the actress was a co-operative costar. “Towards the end, when she directed the film, we bonded more. She’d describe the scenes in great detail,” she shares.

Mishti admits she’d still think twice before accepting a character that isn’t the lead considering she is a Ghai protégé. “I have been doing well down South with movies in four-five other languages. Even Manikarnika was not a film I needed to take up but I’m glad I did. I had grown up hearing about Rani Lakshmibai and it was fantastic to see her and other characters come to life,” she concludes. 

As she brings Rani Laxmibai's story to the big screen in Manikarnika, Kangana Ranaut on how her female co-stars are crucial to the biopic
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 11, 2018)

"I want to pay a worthy homage to Rani Lakshmibai," says Kangana Ranaut, who has dived straight into the post-production of Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi after wrapping up the first schedule of Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's Panga.

While the film's journey to the editing table hasn't been without its share of struggles, the actor-director insists the biopic is shaping up the way she had envisioned - with women taking centrestage. Considering the film celebrates the fighting spirit, Ranaut points out that it was crucial to rope in female actors who would do justice to the fierce characters etched out for them.

"In the film, Rani Lakshmibai's army is her strength. It was full of women who had an irrepressible spirit and a flair for fighting. We have Ankita Lokhande, Mishti and many more actresses forming the army; we will reveal each character through the promotions," says Ranaut, who is putting finishing touches to the January 25 release. While Lokhande plays Jhalkaribai - the warrior queen's advisor and trusted aide, Mishti will be seen as her friend who joins the war.

In an earlier interview, international action director Nick Powell had told mid-day how he had trained the stars ­- including Ranaut and Lokhande - in sword fighting and horse riding, and was impressed by their resilience. "We had a great time training together. We have stayed true to the spirit of Laxmibai as much as possible," adds Ranaut.

That the period drama holds a special place in her heart is evident - she asserts it is the courageous streak of the freedom fighter that resonated with her.

"Growing up, I was sensitive and obedient, but I would take off when I felt the need to break free. No one, except my mother, could speak to me at that time. Since childhood, I have been a firm believer of woman power. We don't need to empower girls, they are powerful as they are. We just need to not suppress them. We need to recognise and respect their subtle strength."

mid-day catches up with Kangana Ranaut on the sets of Manikarnika as she juggles her dual role of actor and filmmaker with equal ease
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2018)

Lines from T S Eliot's Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock played in my ears as I entered the set of Manikarnika in ND Studios. "Do I dare disturb the universe…?" It might as well be the motto of Kangana Ranaut's career — the actor is hell-bent on turning every rule in the book upside down. While the industry debate whether she is a wild girl on the loose or a masterclass in the making; I decided to catch up with Ranaut as she donned the director's chair for Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi, finding herself in the eye of another storm.

The original director Krish aka Radha Krishna Jagarlamud took off to shoot an NTR biopic in Hyderabad, while Ranaut decided to take the onus of completing the project. Incredibly calm, dressed in blue linen kurta-pyjama, sans any makeup, she sat in front of the monitor, observed every move of the actors like a hawk. "I am sleep deprived," she said and explained her schedule. "I was at Film City last night to check how far the action scenes have advanced. I got back at 2am and have been on set since 7am. But then, this is a biopic of Rani Lakshmibai. It won't be worth it, without blood, sweat, tears and toil..."

Sweat glistened over the gash mark on her forehead from an injury she incurred during a sword fight sequence last year. Prod her about eyebrows being raised over her decision to direct the rest of the film and she said, "I am a mischief maker. We hatched this ploy to keep Nick Powell [action director] here. He was to go to Bulgaria and was willing to commit dates to us only after six months. We have taken away his passport," she said with a devilish laugh.

The actor was whisked away by Kiran Deohans, the cinematographer, who took over the schedule after she came on board. Deohans, who is known for his work in Jodhaa Akbar (2008), seems to have cracked her wavelength. Together, they discussed the shot, the camera movements, the lighting before they got rolling again. "She doesn't function like a first timer. She knows exactly what she wants and it has been a smooth ride," said Deohans.

Before I could catch hold of Ranaut again, she was visited by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the director of her next, Panga. Given the reports about the discord between them, one expected to see some awkwardness. But they were giggling like schoolgirls. As Kangana called for a special adrak chai for Tiwari (a set regular), she remarked, "Aaj lag rahi hai ye director — sleep deprived, no make-up, uncombed hair and with stress on the face. Iska matlab hai kaam acha jaa raha hai."

Ranaut thoughtfully added, "To be an actor is a privileged job. It's about blowing kisses to the crowd, sitting pretty and never getting into the grime. Most artistes are in the industry for the wrong reasons, the fame and money. I want to believe I am here for the love of the craft. So, no matter how exhausting this is, I am enjoying every bit of it." When I broached the topic of taking credit, she dismissed it saying, "When male actors take the onus of their films, do they demand credit? Then why is it made to look like I am hijacking a project? I am doing what is in the best interest of a film that rides on me. It will be a landmark moment in Hindi cinema when this film does well. Producers will invest big bucks in movies headlined by women. This isn't about seeing my name as a director."

Ask her if the idea of direction scared her initially and she said, "The idea of putting out a film that doesn't live up to its name scared me more. The reworking was crucial. After the studio saw the film, there was a good chance Manikarnika wouldn't have seen the light of day. There were glaring discrepancies in the plot line. Directing this film isn't difficult. Vijayendra Sir [K V Vijayendra Prasad, the writer] has written an impactful script; Kiran sir has set the shot beautifully, I am just going by the written word."

An hour post lunch, the act resumed in another corner of the set with a palki scene that featured Mishti Chakraborty — Subhash Ghai's find from his forgettable film, Kaanchi (2014). Ranaut guided her and in two takes, she was done. I asked Ranaut about her process —does she usually tell her actors what expressions to give? "Every actor should be able to bring their own to the table. To tell them how to do their job is insulting them. The director has to just ensure everything he/she is filming must be in sync with the larger picture; anything beyond is overstepping."

How do you direct yourself? "Oh, that's tough because of the nature of this film. Running to the monitor after every scene in heavy clothes is exhausting." Chakraborty reappeared with a phone and handed it to Ranaut. She slipped into the part of a parent-figure, requesting the teacher to grant her kid two days' leave. "It's the director of Mishti's South film. We are shooting a song in 10 days and it was clashing with that film. So I had to put in a request for her."

As the setting sun peeked from the hills nearby, Ranaut marched towards a horse-riding scene. Kulbhushan Kharbanda, suffering from a severe back pain, climbed on a wooden horse as she read the dialogues for him. "Good scene Kul Sir," she said on the mic before figuring the arrangements for Kiran sir's farewell later in the evening. Miles to go before you sleep, I asked her and she quipped, "But I have promises to keep," completing the Robert Frost poem for me.


Kangana Ranaut with Nick Powell




The actor with Mishti

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 6, 2016)

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 17, 2015)

Indrani Chakravorty, rechristened Mishti, who made her Bollywood debut last April in Subhash Ghai's Kaanchi: The Unbreakable, disappeared after the film bombed. Seems she had gone down South and acted in a Telugu film, Chinnadana Nee Kosam, with Nithiin. Now, she has resurfaced and will be seen next in Indra Kumar's Great Grand Masti.

Mishti confirmed the news, reluctantly, but refused to say more on the subject till the makers made an official announcement. Kaanchi was the story of an innocent girl from the hills and her fight against injustice. In Indra Kumar's adult comedy, the light-eyed actress will obviously be seen in a bold avatar.

"Actors can't be inhibited, they don't have a comfort zone. I want to try new things, do different roles," she reasons, adding that she really liked Genelia Deshmukh as Bindiya in Masti. "She was so cute and made me smile." So, will her character be similar to Genelia's in Part 3? "I can't reveal anything about the role," she said shortly.

Did her mentor offer her any film post Kaanchi? "No, but if Subhashji thinks there's a suitable role for me, then we'll definitely work together again. I've learnt a lot from him and irrespective of its box-office performance, Kaanchi will always be a big part of my life," she says.

But wasn't Godfather Ghai upset because she started dating her Kaanchi co-star, Kartik Aaryan? She snaps, "You have coffee with someone and the next day you're linked with him. Kartik was just a good friend, he still is."

Mishti Chakraborty is just one film old in Bollywood, but she is very sure of what she wants, be it about films or the other facets of life
Ketaki Khedekar & Anju Maskeri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 13, 2015)

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 11, 2014)

Pyaar Ka Punchnama, which was directed by Luv Ranjan, and featured Kartik Aaryan, Rayo Bakhirta and Divyendu Sharma, is ready to roll out a sequel. The film goes on floors in October, with a fresh cast, save for Kartik. It's not known if the other actors from the first film will be appearing in the sequel.

One of the standout sequences in the earlier film was a five-minute rant by Kartik's character on the shortcomings of a romantic relationship. It made a mention of how movies always show a picture perfect relationship but those happily-ever-afters endings are limited to reel life. In Part 2, the makers plan to better their previous record with an eight-minute long monologue.

"During the narration, I was surprised when I came to know that there's another lengthy monologue this time too. And it will be more intense and hard-hitting. Even when I was promoting Kaanchi, people kept asking me to repeat those lines from the original, reinforcing the fact that the film had hit the right chord. Hopefully, we will be able to achieve the same effect, second time around," says Kartik.

Talking about the plot, the actor revealed that the film will be set in Delhi and he will be seen in the company of two other boys who are yet to be cast. "The core of the film will be the same - crisis in a relationship," he said. "But it will be funnier and made on a bigger scale."

Kartik was last seen in Subhash Ghai's Kaanchi. Buzz then was that the film's heroine, Mishti Mukherhjee and he were dating. Quiz him on his supposed lady-love and he promptly says, "We haven't kept in touch. I believe she has moved down South to work in films there." 

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; April 24, 2014)

Ahead of Kaanchi’s release, a film written and directed by Subhash Ghai, the filmmaker speaks to us about what went into the making of the film.

What is Kaanchi all about?
It’s a love story of a small-town girl, who becomes the voice of the nation after she fights against the powerful and corrupt. It’s inspiring; it sends out the message, ‘Fear no evil, do what’s right and fight for it’.

What made you zero in on Mishti as your lead heroine?
She has proved that she was born to play Kaanchi. I found a perfect face and a good actor in her. It’s amazing how she carries the whole film with so much ease, despite being raw.

Her look in the poster reminds one of Aishwarya Rai from Taal.
Yes, like Mansi of Taal, Kaanchi too believes in revolting against injustice. She is not the Radha of the 80s or Ganga of the 90s, she is a woman of today.

Your lead characters often hail from small towns.
The soul of India still lives in its villages. Ethnic characters bring out the contrast between rural life and the cosmetic world of big cities.

Your films have always had strong female characters (Pardes, Taal, Khalnayak).
I am fascinated when a woman stands equal to powerful men. Their indomitable spirit is most inspiring.

Are you happy with Karthik Aryan and Mishti’s chemistry?
Kartik is star material and can share chemistry with anyone. That shows in the film. The two look like they were made for each other.

You’ve got back to direction after four years. What are your expectations from Kaanchi?
Make a film only when you want to, how long you’ve taken doesn’t matter. Kaanchi is a labour of love. I’ve given it my best.

Kaanchi, produced under the banner Mukta Arts, releases April 25.

Upala KBR (DNA; April 15, 2014)

After a break of six years (Yuvraaj in 2008) Subhash Ghai is directing a film with newcomers Mishti and Kartik Tiwari. While the film is set to release this month, Ghai is already working on his next, a love story with Salman Khan. Here he talks about his films, heroes and cine fraternity...

Has Salman agreed to work in your next film?
We both have agreed to work together and will announce the dates once the script is locked. Salman has told me that he would work with me even if Kaanchi doesn’t work at the box-office. He is family to me.

Will your next film again be a love story?
Yes, I will go for a love story. It gives me a chance to incorpoarte a lot of music and dance. Kaanchi provides love, action, drama with rural and metro touch.

Why did you decide to make Kaanchi with newcomers?
After the multi-starrer Yuvvraaj, I decided not to run behind stars but make a film that I want to make as I made in the past which are still fresh after 20 years. I have the talent, a good story to tell on screen provided I control all creatives and discipline of making a good movie. So I decided to make Kaanchi with a new cast.

Can you tell us what Kaanchi is about?
Apart from good music, it has a great story and emotions which the youth of today will identify with. I have a song written by Irshad Kamil which says Sare Jahan Se Achcha Woh Hindustan Kahaan Hai and is relevant to the politics of today.

Though the film is with newcomers apparently the budget is as lavish and high as your any multi-starrer...
I can never compromise on the quality of filmmaking. As I never did in new stars movies like Hero or any movie with less selling stars like Pardes, Taal and Kisna. Kaanchi is an expensive film for my company but I am sure they will recover it and be proud of it.

Is it true that for Kaanchi first you had approached Salman, then Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik and when they all refused you went for newcomers.
Not for Kaanchi, but before Kaanchi I was talking to all stars but not with any concrete script or proposal. I was just trying to know their mood and situations. I felt they were over committed to focus on my movie. I always cast those stars who are equally keen and compatible to my workings.

Do you feel disillusioned sometimes that you made the career of so many stars and yet they are not there for your films today?
Not for a minute. They are in a different space today and I must respect that. We still enjoy a relationship of mutual love and respect. I have a huge capacity of grooming new stars so I am enjoying my space. Making a film with newcomers is a big high than making blockbusters with stars which is a luxury.

Where did you discover Mishti?
After auditioning 300 girls for six months I had given up if I would make Kaanchi till I met Mishti through my chief assistant director Arindum Ray.

Mishti looks a younger version of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sneha Ullal...
It’s not true. We have a habit of comparing a newly born baby to someone we know.

Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakroborty are doing songs in Kaanchi. Have you roped in other senior actors too?
Not except these two. Mahima Choudhary comes in a part of the song kambal ke neeche.

Why do you sign your heroines or name them with letter M (except Aishwarya)?
It’s just a co-incidence.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 14, 2014)

While it’s not new for co-stars to get romantically inclined, Kartik Tiwari (who now goes by the name of Karthik Aryan) and Mishti Mukherjee who have been paired together in Subhash Ghai’s Kaanchi, are pretty guarded about their blossoming friendship. While Mishti is making her Bollywood debut with Kaanchi, Kartik has acted in Pyaar Ka Punchnama and Aakash Vani earlier.

A common friend spilled the beans when he called to say that both these actors, who are single and ready to mingle, have been spending a lot of time together. “Both being relative outsiders, they have grown really fond of each other and now are considering taking their relationship a step forward,” revealed the source.

The friend goes on to add that Karthik often picks up and drops his Kaanchi. The two also have been going for lunch together. “There’s an interesting chemistry even when the cameras are not whirring. In fact, while shooting a kissing scene, they got so carried away that it took Subhashji over 30 retakes to get it right. But no one was complaining,” said the source.

When contacted Karthik refused to comment on the story while Mishti didn’t respond to our messages.

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 29, 2014)

Mishti, that’s not your real name…
No, my real name is Indrani Chakraborty and Mishti is my nickname. But since it is far sweeter, most of my friends and members of my family have always called me by my nickname. Even Subhash Ghai chose to introduce me as Mishti in Kaanchi.

Kaanchi was initially scheduled for an August 15, 2013 release, but has been delayed by almost eight months. It must be an agonising wait?
No, I’ve always been patient. Moreover, a date is just a number. I remember Subhashji telling me on the first day of the shoot that it’s important for an actor to have complete faith in the director. And I have that. I’ve learnt the A to Z of filmmaking in his gurukul. And since he’s making his comeback as a director six years after Yuvvraaj, he’s determined not to release Kaanchi till he’s completely satisfied. It’ll be out on April 25 now. The delay has worked in our favour because women-centric films are doing well these days .

Before Kaanchi, you had worked in the Bengali film, Porichoi as Indrani. It was directed by Basu Chatterjee’s daughter Rupali Guha and was supposed to open last September. You’ve disassociated yourself from the film since, thereby upsetting your co-star Prosenjit Chatterjee.
Porichoi was my big commercial break in Bengali films. The film revolves around me and Prosenjit-- who plays my estranged father. He is such a great guy. He stood by me when my passport was rejected because the photograph was slightly smudged. The rest of the unit was already in London by then. The shoot was delayed by 20 days because of me and at one point there were talks of replacing me. But he insisted they wait as it was not my fault. I hardly knew him then. His comments about me were misinterpreted. I discovered this when I called him. Porichoi’s associate director Arindam Ray is Subhashji’s chief assistant. He was the one who showed my pictures to Subhashji and I landed Kaanchi. It will be my Bollywood debut. How does it matter if I’ve worked in regional films before? I’ve never concealed the fact. I’m proud of all my films.
 
You’ve worked in a Hindi film too, Strings of Passion, co-starring Zeenat Aman and Indrani Haldar…
Oh! that that was just a 10-second appearance. I had done a Bengali docu-feature with Sanghamitra Chowdhury, Bidehir Khonje Rabindranath. I had gone to wish Sanghamitra when she started Strings of Passion. I was just a teenager then. When she asked me to sit on a sofa in front of the camera I didn’t question her, since I’ve always been respectful towards people. The attempt to use my name to promote the film later wasn’t right. But I hold no grudges, Sanghamitra is still a friend.
 
Is it true that you have an exclusive three-film contract with Mukta Arts?
Yes, but I am free to do films with other banners with their consent.

You’re the sixth heroine to be launched by Ghai after Meenakshi Sheshadri, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Mahima Chaudhuri and Isha Sharvani. What, according to you, were their USPs?
Meenkashi’s was her compassionate face, Manisha’s was her serenity and that divine face. Mahima’s USP is her bubbly charm, Isha’s is her flexible body and Madhuri is extraordinary from head to toe.

And what’s Mishti’s?
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. So ask the viewer!