Snehashish roy
Actor and Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut recently reflected on her journey to mainstream stardom, drawing a distinction between her humble origins and the background of other successful actors, including superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Speaking at a public event in New Delhi late last week, the actor discussed her film career and the significant success she’s achieved, both in terms of prestigious accolades and box office performance.
The Uniqueness of Kangana’s Rise
Kangana emphasized that her success story is exceptionally rare because of her simple rural roots. She stated, “Why did I get so much success? There is probably nobody else who came from a village and got such success in the mainstream.”
To highlight her point, she compared her upbringing to Shah Rukh Khan’s. “You talk about Shah Rukh Khan. They are from Delhi, convent-educated. I was from a village that nobody would have even heard of – Bhamla,” the actor said, referring to her hometown in Himachal Pradesh.
While many might point to various factors for her success, Kangana offered her own explanation: “Maybe others may disagree, but I feel it’s because I am brutally honest, not just with people but with myself too.”
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Comparing Two Cinematic Journeys
Kangana’s journey began when she ran away from her home in Bhamla as a teenager and moved to Mumbai. She secured her first film break at 19 with the 2006 film Gangster. She further solidified her reputation with hits like Raaz 2 and Fashion. In the 2010s, she notably delivered three consecutive highest-grossing female-led films, cementing her position as one of the foremost stars of her generation. She has also won four National Awards.
Shah Rukh Khan’s life began in Delhi. His mother was a judicial magistrate, and his father ran a canteen at the National School of Drama. After losing both parents early, he started his career in television, becoming a household name with popular shows like Fauji and Circus before relocating to Mumbai in 1991. Films like Darr and Baazigar established him as a leading man, but it was Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge that cemented his status as a global icon. He has since been the biggest box office draw in Indian cinema for three decades.
Also Read: ‘Ab SRK Mujhe Adopt Kar Lein Bas’: Raghav Juyal’s Hilarious Take On Working With Entire Khan Family
While both actors are considered outsiders who achieved massive success without traditional film lineage, Kangana focuses on the socio-economic and geographical difference in their beginnings to underscore the extent of her own remarkable, self-made journey.
Kangana’s last film, Emergency, did not perform well at the box office. She is now slated to make her Hollywood debut next year with the horror drama Blessed Be the Evil.
