Bollywood actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has opened up about the initial rejection she faced from her family regarding her decision to join the film industry. Speaking during the promotion of her upcoming film *Bharat Bhagya Vidhata*, Ranaut recalled how her parents, rooted in an academic and political background, viewed cinema with scepticism and disapproval during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Ranaut revealed that her family, particularly her parents, were deeply critical of her career choice, associating the film industry with negative perceptions, including links to the underworld. She explained that her grandfather had worked with the Khadi Board, and her great-grandfather was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), reflecting a lineage rooted in public service rather than entertainment. “Movies were looked down upon in our household,” Ranaut said, adding that her parents would discard newspapers carrying film-related content. The stigma around the industry during that era made it even harder for her family to accept her career path.
The turning point in her family’s perception came only after she achieved national recognition. Ranaut recalled that after watching her breakthrough film *Gangster*, her father did not react at all, while her mother expressed concern about societal perceptions and her underage status during certain scenes. “My mother’s response was, ‘Our society won’t accept this. You are underage and have done all kinds of scenes,’” Ranaut shared, admitting that she was heartbroken by their reaction. She decided then that she would no longer seek validation from her parents regarding her work. However, the appreciation she received from veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan after her performance in *Queen* made her reflect on the difference between artistic appreciation and her family’s worldview. “I realised that 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,” she said.
Ranaut’s perspective changed dramatically after she won her first National Award for Best Supporting Actress for *Fashion* in 2009. She described this moment as a turning point for her father, who felt immense pride seeing his daughter honoured by the President of India. This recognition was followed by the Padma Shri, which further solidified her family’s acceptance of her career. “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,” she said. Ranaut’s journey from rejection to acceptance highlights the personal struggles many artists face when pursuing unconventional career paths, especially when rooted in traditional family expectations.
In the interview, Ranaut also reflected on the conscious choices she made in her career, steering away from item numbers and opting for roles that spoke about women’s empowerment, individuality, and agency. She emphasised that her upbringing shaped her decisions, driving her to prove her worth and avoid being reduced to superficial roles. “Coming from such a conservative background, I made a conscious decision not to do item numbers and instead focus on films that spoke about women, empowerment, and individuality,” she said. Ranaut acknowledged that while her parents’ criticism was not necessarily wrong, their worldview inevitably influenced her journey. “I’m not saying something is right or wrong. But our surroundings shape us,” she added.
*Bharat Bhagya Vidhata*, the film Ranaut is currently promoting, is inspired by real events and shifts focus from conventional depictions of violence to the resilience and humanity displayed within a government hospital during a crisis. The film highlights how healthcare workers, including nurses, ward boys, cleaners, and administrative staff, came together to save lives during chaos outside. According to the makers, while terror claimed lives outside, 400 lives were saved inside Cama Hospital, making it a story of courage and compassion. Directed by Manoj Tapadia, the film also stars Girija Oak, Smita Tambe, Amrutha Namdev, Esha Dey, Priya Berde, and Asha Shelar. It is scheduled for release on June 12.
Ranaut’s candid revelations about her family’s initial rejection and eventual acceptance of her career choice provide a glimpse into the personal challenges she overcame to establish herself as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors. Her story underscores the importance of recognition and validation in shaping perceptions, both within families and society at large.
