Exclusive: I didn’t want to go backwards after Queen, I wanted to move forward: Kangana Ranaut

The ‘Queen’ of Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut, has had a huge fan following ever since she played the innocent but inspiring role of ‘Rani’ in Queen. In the recent past, many people have also suggested that she is the best actress in Bollywood. However, she surprised everyone again when the trailer of Tanu Weds Manu Returns was released. Her second role in the film, Datto has become very popular amongst her fans. People have also appreciated her Haryanvi accent in the film.

During a promotional tour for the film in Chandigarh, she visited her high school and caught up with some of her old friends and teachers. Kangana, overwhelmed with joy, also danced with her teachers. The large school, which used to scare her initially, welcomed her with all the love and respect they had for her. Though she was homesick during the initial days of her high school, her friends and teachers supported her a lot. Her principal was the one who suggested her not to take the conventional route. Her Principal even supported her when she decided not to pursue doctorate, even though her own parents were against it. After passing out in 2003, Kangana decided to take up theatre and ultimately acting.

At the end of the visit, we sat down with Kangana for an exclusive chat, where she mentioned about her initial struggling phase, taking up challenging roles and learning Haryanvi for the film.

You have been receiving appreciation from everybody for your recent performances. How tough was it to reach till this level?

Initially I struggled a lot. The time wasn't good when I started out. I feel that when I came to Mumbai, I was very young and naive. I was just 17 and everything that could go wrong, went wrong. I was treated badly and many people even acted as obstacles in career. So it took me 8 years to establish myself.

I was also a minor when I entered the industry, so I couldn't sign my own contracts. People were also not eager to work with someone who doesn't have a proper person guiding her, so everything was working against me.

I remember signing a big endorsement deal, a coffee brand took me on board because of my curly hair, but they raised a lot of issues after signing the deal. They had issues regarding my accent and also my age.

During the beginning of my career, I used to cry sometimes when we had long working hours. I used to shut myself up in my room also sometimes. I used to question myself, ‘why is everyone making me work so much?’ It’s not that I didn't want to work, but in such situations when you do not understand what’s going on around you, you just happen to think in such a way. I was talented, I knew that. After all I debuted with Gangster. Initially I didn't know how to utilize my skills properly, but now I have got a hold of things.

Who supported you during your days of struggle? We've also seen your sister, Rangoli besides you since a while now and we have also heard about how she has been supporting you. Could you elaborate about it as well?

There were a few people who supported me during my initial days and they are with me even today. Rangoli wasn't there with me when I entered the Industry; she shifted to Mumbai much later. Rangoli was actually pursuing her studies when I came to Mumbai, but after her accident she came here for her treatment. After coming here, she never went back and has supported me at every step ever since. Things have organically fallen in to place, and it feels great that everything is going well in my career as well as my family aspects. Rangoli has been with me since 2008 and I have never felt lonely after she arrived. She has been my pillar; I can always fall back on her and she will catch me.

You have played various roles in your career, but some roles such as ‘Rani’ from Queen and ‘Datto’ from Tanu Weds Manu Returns have stunned the audience. What inspires you to take up such unconventional roles?

Datto was a tough role and so was Rani. But, I feel Datto has been much more challenging for me. For me to take up two extreme characters in Tanu Weds Manu Returns was a big risk. I knew there will be a few challenges and I even knew that things might not even fall in to place, but I wanted to take this risk. I didn't want to go backwards after Queen; I wanted to move forward and so I took this risk.

I can also say that I am being supported by everyone now. Earlier this wasn't the case. Initially only new directors or producers were willing to work with me, but now there are many talented people who would love to work with me. This is all that I can ask for and it’s as good as it gets for me. If I don’t prove myself now then it’s a shame because earlier I didn't have any support and I did well. Now that I am getting so much support, I should be able to do much better. I actually won’t be surprised if people will like me in Tanu Weds Manu Returns too! I have that much confidence in myself now.

Your Haryanvi accent has been in the news since the trailer was launched. How did you perfect the accent?

I worked a lot on that accent. I am actually good with accents, but ironically it was one of the things I was criticized for initially. I grasp accents easily.

I am going to go to Himachal to visit my parents this week. When I will come back you will see that I have a strong Pahadi accent (accent of the Indo-Aryan people residing in the Himalayas) when I speak Hindi. I absorb accents very fast. If I am around someone and if I like any aspect of their body language, then I adapt it. But, learning Haryanvi for Tanu Weds Manu Returns was fun and fantastic. It was a new experience altogether.

Who do prefer : Tanu or Datto?

That’s a tough one. I am feeling very bad for Tanu these days because she is being ignored. Now that Datto is in the limelight, no one remembers Tanu. Everyone loves Datto now. Yesterday also I got a call from my director (Aanand L. Rai) and he said to me, “If you find Datto put a Black Mark on her” (Asian families put a black mark on a person so that he/she stays away from bad luck). So, I am feeling bad for Tanu as she is one person who doesn't like to be ignored. She’s going to make a comeback in the film, trust me.

Personally, I don’t have any preference. Both of my characters are important for me and I love them both equally.

In real life, are you similar to Tanu or Datto?

I guess I am not similar to Tanu or Datto. It’s actually very hard to know who we are, but we can have an understanding of others. I have an understanding of who Tanu is and who Datto is, but I don’t know if I am similar to any one of them. I guess if someone thinks of making a film on me, then he will answer about this after doing some research.

In the recent past, some people have also said that you are superior to your contemporaries because of your acting capabilities. How do you feel being at the top?

I was invisible for the longest time and at that time no one really cared for me. If I have survived that, then I can survive anything. I am really happy with what I am today. I don’t have any possessiveness about the place where I am today. There are many ups and downs in life. Luckily today I am in my upward phase, so I am enjoying it. However, I don’t have any arrogance about it, I am the same person who I was earlier and I’ll be the same person always.

One of the best things of being at the top is that I don’t have to fight for anybody’s attention now. No lead actress can say this with confidence. Generally actresses seek the attention of every top director and lead actor. I am not saying that all the actresses do that, but by and large most of the actresses. I also may not be accurate when I say this but, most of the mainstream films go to the Heroes and it’s the Hero that takes most of the final calls, so it’s nice to be in their good books for these actresses. However, I don’t have that attitude. I feel this is what I have earned in these 8 or 9 years in Bollywood.

I am proud that I work as a single unit and I am not dependent on anyone. If I have to do a film on my own tomorrow, then I feel I can do it. Today, I have a multi-cast project like Suspect X, followed by a women-centric film with Hansal Mehta and a few others also, so for me I am ok with any role and I don’t have to be dependent on anyone.

Do you feel that age catches up with actresses earlier than actors? Some actresses wish they were younger, do you also wish the same?

Sometimes people wish that they are younger than what they are, but I wouldn't want to be even a day younger. I think the older you get, it’s the better. You feel sorted, you look better, no pimples as well (laughs), no baby fat; so you look as well as feel better. You even have much more confidence and experience. I am having the time of my life right now and I feel this is as good as it could get. I wouldn't want to change anything.

Is there any particular kind of role that you would want to do in the near future?

There are many roles that I want to play. Right now everything is working out well and things are just falling in to the right place for me. I have many exciting announcements to make in the near future. I also have a few exciting projects in the pipeline, where you will see me playing different roles, so wait and watch out for it.