In a recent interview with a Himachal Pradesh based podcast, Kangana Ranaut shared her experience with both sectors of her profession and provides insight on the factors that influenced her into taking the leap from an entertainment career to a political one. 

Ranaut’s entry into politics, however stark a change it may be from her previously chosen career path, is not sudden. Her great-grandfather, Sarju Singh Ranaut was an MLA and her grandfather was an IAS officer. After her film ‘Gangster’ was a hit, Kangana was reportedly approached with a ticket. This was back in 2006. 

Transition from Film to Politics

In the podcast interview, Ranaut shared, “This is not the first time I was approached to join politics. I have received several other offers in the past. After my debut Gangster, I was offered a ticket. My great-grandfather was an MLA for at least three terms. So when you belong to such a family, and taste some success, the local leaders approach you. It is very common. In fact, my father had also received an offer. My sister was offered to join politics after she survived an acid attack. So for us, it is not a big deal for us to get political offers…If I wasn’t interested in this, I didn’t really have to go through so much trouble.”

She also added that her life as an actor was easier than participating in politics.

Kangana Ranaut
Image Source: The Caravan

“I am a person who goes with passion. Even in the film industry, I am an actor, writer, director and producer. Here in my political career, if I have to engage myself with the people here, I will go ahead with it. There is no compulsion. However, I won’t deny that the work in the film industry is comparatively easier than in politics. The latter takes a lot of effort. This is a harsh life, just like doctors, where only troubled people come to see you. When you go to watch a film, you are very relaxed. But, politics is not like that,” she said. 

Ranaut has always been an outspoken personality. Even prior to her indulgence in politics, she would often take to X, previously Twitter, with her opinions on political matters that she considered important to be discussed. In May 2021, Ranaut had been suspended by Twitter after being booked under repeated violations of ‘abusive behaviour and hateful policies.’ She has since returned, after the suspension was lifted in January 2023.

Ranaut contested the recent Lok Sabha elections from Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh with a BJP ticket and lead by 74,755 votes against Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh. She is now a Member of Parliament (MP). 

A day after her win, at Chandigarh airport, Ranaut was slapped by a CISF officer who blamed her previous allegations against those sitting in the Farmer’s Protest between 2020-2021 as the reason for inciting this anger. Ranaut had claimed that those sitting there sat for a measly Rs 100 per day, not understanding their cause and the CISF personnel who slapped her rebuked with the fact that her mother was among the people who had been sitting there. 

Ranaut also released a video after the incident and reassured her followers that she is safe and sound. 

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