At a recent rally in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Bollywood starlet Kangana Ranaut sparked outrage by comparing herself to megastar Amitabh Bachchan, claiming to receive same levels of affection and respect in the industry.

Ranaut, a Lok Sabha candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mandi, made the statement during her rally speech and said, "After Amitabh Bachchan, if anyone gets such love and respect in the industry, it's me."

Her comments prompted outrage on social media, with many people condemning her for what they saw as self-obsession and arrogance. Some criticised her recent spate of film disappointments and questioned her comparison to Bachchan, a famous figure in Indian cinema.

Despite the criticism, Ranaut defended her decision to enter politics, claiming that it was unaffected by the success of her films at the box office. She mentioned variations in movie performance and expressed confidence in her future picture, "Emergency," implying that performers now have more opportunity to demonstrate their abilities via OTT platforms.

Ranaut's comparison to Bachchan, dubbed the "Shahenshah" of Bollywood, elicited conflicting comments from netizens, with some challenging the legitimacy of her claim to equal status in the business. Critics decried what they saw as an attempt to elevate herself to Bachchan's legendary position, while others were astounded by the acclaim she received throughout her speech.

This event adds to Ranaut's history of inflammatory utterances and public feuds with co-stars and industry insiders. Despite her contentious reputation, she is still a prominent figure in Indian cinema and politics, recognized for her outspokenness and strong opinions.

As the controversy about Ranaut's comparison to Bachchan and her political career heats up, the incident highlights the complexity of celebrity, achievement, and reputation in the entertainment business.