Kangana recalls mother's reaction to Gangster: Society won't accept this
Kangana Ranaut said her parents were unimpressed after watching her debut film Gangster and focused on society's reaction to her role. She said their views changed after her National Award recognition.
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has said her parents were not impressed after watching her breakthrough film Gangster, in which she starred alongside Emraan Hashmi. She said that despite the acclaim she received for her debut performance, her family was more concerned about how society would react to her role, a response that left her deeply hurt.
In a recent interview with Pen Movies while promoting her upcoming film, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, Kangana said cinema had little place in her household, where education and public service were valued far more than films. She added that their views began to change only after she won a National Award.
"I belong to a small village and was raised in a very different environment. My parents would literally throw away newspapers carrying film-related content. We came from an academic and political background. My grandfather worked with the Khadi Board, and my great-grandfather was an MLA. Movies were looked down upon in our household," she said.
Parents' reaction to Gangster
Recalling her parents' reaction to Gangster, Kangana said, "My father had no reaction after watching the film. My mother's response was, 'Our society won't accept this. You are underage and have done all kinds of scenes.' I was heartbroken. Out of everything in the film, that was all she noticed. They were more worried about society than my performance."
Kangana said the experience stayed with her for years and shaped the way she looked at feedback from her family.
"I decided that day I would never take reviews from my parents seriously. But when Mr Bachchan wrote me a beautiful letter praising my performance in Queen and other films, I realised something. My father would never be able to view my work through the same lens as someone like Amitabh Bachchan because cinema simply wasn't his world. I couldn't hold that against him," added the Tanu Weds Manu actor.
How National Award win changed everything
She said winning her first National Award in 2010 (for her performance as a troubled supermodel in the 2008 film Fashion), marked a turning point for her family, especially for her father, who then began to understand the significance of her achievements.
"When I won a National Award, my parents were genuinely happy. They felt proud that their daughter was being honoured by the President of India. That was a turning point for my father. And when I received the Padma Shri, it became even more significant. He couldn't believe that someone could achieve such recognition through films," she said.
Over the years, Kangana has won four National Film Awards (Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, and a dual win for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi and Panga) and received the Padma Shri, emerging as one of the industry's most acclaimed actors.
All about Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata
Directed and written by Manoj Tapadia, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata is described as a tribute to unsung heroes and draws inspiration from real incidents that took place at Mumbai's Cama and Albless Hospital during the 26/11 terror attacks.
According to a report by Variety India, the film will focus on the bravery shown by hospital staff during the crisis as they worked tirelessly amid fear and chaos. Also starring Girija Oak, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on June 12, 2026.