Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut (born 23 March 1986) is an Indian actress, filmmaker, and politician known for her powerful performances in women-centric Hindi films. She is one of the leading actresses in Indian cinema and has received several prestigious awards for her work.

Kangana Ranaut
Full name	Kangna Amardeep Ranaut
Born	23 March 1986 Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
Nationality	Indian
Profession	Actress, Filmmaker, Politician
Years active	2006 – Present
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Notable works	Queen, Tanu Weds Manu, Fashion
Parents	Amardeep Ranaut (father) Asha Ranaut (mother)
Siblings	Rangoli Chandel, Akshat Ranaut
Production house	Manikarnika Films

Early Life and Background

Kangana Ranaut was born in Bhambla (now Surajpur), a small town in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, into a Rajput family. Her father, Amardeep Ranaut, is a businessman, and her mother, Asha Ranaut, is a school teacher.

She completed her schooling at D.A.V. School in Chandigarh. Initially, her family wanted her to pursue a career in medicine, but she chose to follow her passion for acting and moved to Delhi. There, she started modeling and later joined theatre training before entering the film industry.

Career

Early Career

Kangana began her acting career in 2006 with the film Gangster: A Love Story, directed by Anurag Basu. Her performance was widely appreciated, and she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

She then appeared in films such as Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a Metro (2007), and Fashion (2008). Her role in Fashion earned her a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Rise to Fame

Kangana gained wider recognition with films like Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2009) and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010). She became popular for playing intense and emotional roles.

Her career reached new heights with films like Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Queen (2014), and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015). These films established her as a top actress in Bollywood.

Reinvention and Expansion

She experimented with different roles, including a negative role in the science fiction film Krrish 3 (2013). Later, she acted in films like Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019) and Panga (2020), for which she received further recognition.

She has also worked in web and digital platforms and continues to choose strong, character-driven roles.

Filmmaking and Production

In 2020, Kangana Ranaut launched her own production company, Manikarnika Films. She also made her debut as a director with the film Emergency, where she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Political Career

Kangana Ranaut entered politics and became a Member of Parliament from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, in 2024. She is associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party and is known for expressing her political views openly.

Personal Life

Kangana is known for her independent personality and strong opinions. She shares a close bond with her family, especially her sister Rangoli Chandel, who also manages her professional work.

She is also interested in spirituality, meditation, and classical dance.

Awards and Recognition

Kangana Ranaut has received numerous awards for her contribution to Indian cinema. She has won four National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. In 2020, she was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards.

Impact and Legacy

Kangana Ranaut is known for breaking stereotypes in Bollywood by choosing strong, unconventional roles. Her journey from a small town to becoming a leading actress and filmmaker has made her an inspiration for many aspiring artists.