Friday, 04 October 2024
Friday, 04 October 2024
Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has never shied away from making bold and polarising statements. From the farmers' protests to comments on historical figures, her words have sparked debates, outrage, and, at times, even legal trouble. Here’s a quick glance into some of her most controversial remarks.
What has Rahul Gandhi done to become Opposition leader? asks Kangana
In a recent media interview Kangana asked a journalist "on what basis, did Rahul Gandhi get this achievement. Can you tell me?” referring to his position as Leader of Opposition. When the journalist said he secured 99 seats, Kangana made a face and said, "If you want to talk like this then there can be no answer to it. Are there no senior leaders in the party (Congress) who expect or deserve this position?"
The actor will be seen in Emergency, a project that she has helmed. It also stars Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles.
Based on the period when the emergency was imposed in the country in 1975, it stars Kangana as the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Ranaut highlighted that Indira Gandhi's legacy belongs to all Indians, asserting, "As an artist, it is my fundamental right to explore the history and constitution of our country and create meaningful works of art that can help future generations understand India within a socio-political context. She has been India's Prime Minister."
Dismissing any notions that her artistic endeavours are financially motivated, Ranaut stated, "I don't see her as Rahul Gandhi's grandmother. His supporters might think I am profiting from making a film about her, but that's not true. She has been a significant figure in Indian politics."
Farmers’ protests: 'A Bangladesh-like situation'
One of Kangana’s most contentious remarks came in August, 2024 when she suggested that the farmers' protests against the now-repealed farm laws could have led to a 'Bangladesh-like situation' in India if the country’s leadership hadn’t been strong enough. In a media interview, she alleged that during the protests, 'bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place,' a statement that was met with widespread condemnation. The BJP, distancing itself from her comments, advised her against making such statements in the future. Her words ignited protests in Haryana led by the Aam Aadmi Party and drew sharp criticism from Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh, who called her remarks 'reckless and misinformed.'
Rahul Gandhi: A 'tempered pasta' metaphor
Not one to stay silent on political figures, the actor has taken several swipes at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In a derogatory post in July 2024, she referred to Rahul’s ancestry, describing him as someone "tempered like pasta with curry leaves to make rice and lentils." This metaphor met with serious criticism.
The 'Rs 100 protester' claim
During the peak of the farmers’ agitation in 2021, the actor stirred controversy by claiming that an elderly woman protesting at the site in Shaheen Bagh was paid Rs. 100 to participate. This statement sparked outrage. In June 2024, a CISF contable Kulwinder Kaur slapped Kangana at the Chandigarh airport. This reaction of Kaur was allegedly linked to her previous comments about the protests.
Subhash Chandra Bose: The 'first prime minister' controversy
Kangana also waded into historical waters when she claimed that Subhash Chandra Bose, not Jawaharlal Nehru, was the first Prime Minister of India during a media interview in March 2024. Her statement caused uproar on social media and many questioned her grasp of history. In response to the backlash, Kangana shared an article asserting that Bose had declared himself Prime Minister of Azad Hind in 1943, doubling down on her controversial claim.
Freedom as 'bheek': Remarks on India's independence
In November 2021, Kangana referred to India’s freedom in 1947 as a 'bheek' (alms) during a TV channel summit. She claimed that true freedom was achieved only in 2014, when Narendra Modi first became prime minister.
Rihanna, Greta, and the 'foreign forces' allegation
The BJP MP has often voiced her suspicions that foreign forces were behind the farmers' protests. When international celebrity Rihanna tweeted in support of the protests, Kangana in February 2021, accused Rihanna of being paid 'at least ₹100 crore' for her tweet. She didn’t stop there. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg also became a target of Kangana’s ire. Dismissing Greta as a 'spoilt brat,' Kangana accused the young activist of being manipulated by a left-wing lobby to skip her education and back the protests.
Mumbai police and PoK: A controversial comparison
In 2020, the BJP MP from HImachal Pradesh's Mandi, stirred controversy saying she is more scared of Mumbai police than Bollywood mafias, claiming they haunted her more. She further inflamed tensions by comparaing Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a statement that drew significant backlash.
The actor’s penchant for controversy shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s through her fiery interviews, explosive social media posts, or public appearances, she continues to be a figure who commands attention and provokes strong reactions. Her statements, often laden with unfiltered opinions, keep her at the centre of national conversations—whether for better or worse.
