Kangana Ranaut is an Indian film actress, filmmaker, and politician. Known primarily for her work in Hindi cinema, she has received four National Film Awards and is one of the highest-paid actresses in India. In 2024, she was elected to the Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament from the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket.
Key Facts
| Full name | Kangana Ranaut |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 March 1987 |
| Birthplace | Bhambla (now Surajpur), Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh |
| Occupation | Actress, film director, producer, politician |
| Years active (film) | 2006–present |
| Debut film | Gangster (2006) |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Constituency | Mandi (Lok Sabha), Himachal Pradesh |
| Term in Parliament | From 2024 (18th Lok Sabha) |
| Production company | Manikarnika Films |
| Notable awards | Four National Film Awards; Padma Shri (2020) |
Background
Kangana Ranaut was born on 23 March 1987 in the village of Bhambla in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, into a Rajput family. Her father, Amardeep Ranaut, was a businessman, and her mother, Asha Ranaut, was a school teacher. She studied at DAV School in Chandigarh and initially considered a career in medicine before moving to Delhi at the age of sixteen. She trained briefly at the Asmita Theatre Group under Arvind Gaur and later studied acting under Aashish Vidyarthi at the Drama School of Delhi, before relocating to Mumbai.
Film career
Early work (2006–2010)
Ranaut made her acting debut with Anurag Basu's Gangster (2006), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She followed it with performances in Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a... Metro (2007), and Fashion (2008). Her role as a troubled supermodel in Fashion, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, brought her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Breakthrough (2011–2015)
After a series of films that received mixed reception, Ranaut returned to prominence with Tanu Weds Manu (2011), directed by Aanand L. Rai. Her career reached a turning point with Vikas Bahl's Queen (2014), in which she played a Delhi woman travelling alone in Europe after a failed engagement. The role earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. She received the same award again the following year for her dual role in Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), making her one of the few actresses to win consecutive Best Actress National Awards.
Direction and later films (2016–present)
Ranaut starred in and co-directed Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), a historical drama on Rani Lakshmibai. She won her fourth National Film Award (Best Actress) for her performances in Manikarnika and Panga (2020). Her solo directorial debut was Emergency (2025), in which she also played former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Other notable films include Krrish 3 (2013), Rangoon (2017), and Thalaivii (2021), in which she portrayed J. Jayalalithaa.
Political career
Ranaut joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2024 and was nominated as the party's candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency for the 2024 general elections. She defeated Vikramaditya Singh of the Indian National Congress and was sworn in as a Member of Parliament in June 2024. She is the first woman to be elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi since Pratibha Singh.
Public life and views
Ranaut is known for her outspoken positions on issues relating to nepotism in the Hindi film industry, women's autonomy, and Indian politics. She has frequently been involved in public debates and legal disputes with industry figures and journalists. She received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in 2020 for her contributions to the arts.
Awards and honours
- National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress – Fashion (2008)
- National Film Award for Best Actress – Queen (2014)
- National Film Award for Best Actress – Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
- National Film Award for Best Actress – Manikarnika and Panga (2020)
- Padma Shri (2020)
- Multiple Filmfare Awards, including Best Female Debut and Best Actress
Significance
Ranaut is regarded as one of the most decorated actresses of her generation in Indian cinema, having achieved critical acclaim despite an outsider background without industry connections. Her transition into direction with Manikarnika and Emergency, and her election to Parliament from her home state of Himachal Pradesh, mark a varied trajectory across film and public life.