Hugely desirable actress, not a puppet: Kangana on having an identity beyond BJP

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has stated that she is “not a puppet” and acknowledged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may not stand with her in the future, while also asserting that she remains a “hugely desirable actress” for many film directors.

Speaking about the divergence between her personal views and the official party line in an interview with DD National, Ranaut mentioned that while her public statements have at times not appeared to be in step with the BJP, her primary identity remains anchored in her 20-year acting legacy rather than her two-year political career.

She said, "It’s not like I want to drift from my party, but at the same time, I feel when there is a lot of noise, then you have to scream to get heard. So I tend to give some strong statements."

She added, "I intentionally don’t want to deviate, but if I do sometimes, as an individual, one must keep in mind that I am not a puppet. BJP is with me today; they might not be there tomorrow. I have been an MP for 2 years. My career as an actor has been going on for 20 years. I have had an identity for 20 years."

Turning to her film career, the Mandi Member of Parliament (MP) asserted that her appeal in the film industry remains intact despite her transition into politics.“I am a hugely desirable actress for so many directors. So many of them



are just waiting. They ask me, ‘Why did you leave the industry?’ There’s lots to do in life,” she said.

Ranaut highlighted that if she returns to acting, she would prefer age-appropriate roles rather than being cast opposite "some Khan or a Kumar."

She also suggested that her public recognition is largely anchored in her acting legacy. "If I want to say something, then the press will gather around me and listen to what I have to say. Maybe today I don’t exist individually, but my thoughts are my own. They can’t stop existing by themselves immediately," the actor said.

"My alignment with the party is quite natural so I don’t have to put anything on. But I am sure things might go haywire sometimes, which might have bothered them, but I am still new, and I am still learning," Ranaut added.

Asked about her plans for the next decade, Ranaut called it unpredictable, citing the uncertain nature of present times.

Unbothered by political uncertainty or losing her Mandi candidature, Ranaut stated she has outgrown personal ambitions, adding that her creative identity as a writer-filmmaker will never fade.

Ranaut recalled turning down top production houses and award ceremonies, claiming publication heads once begged her to attend after her performances gained critical acclaim.