Kangana Ranaut will be seen as Payal in Nikhil Advani’s Katti Batti opposite Imran Khan. The National Award winner talks about her excitement about the film, her attitude towards those who don’t share her point of view and her empowering image of a bold woman.
What is your state of mind at the moment?
I can’t wait for people to watch Katti Batti. I am very excited. We didn’t get time to do trials shows as our director (Nikhil Advani) was busy with another film (Hero).
Who all have you invited for the screening?
Our director has called everyone. He is a social butterfly. He is on social media all the time. (Vikas Bahl, the director of Queen) is the same, you sit at home and he does all the work (laughs). I am very happy!
What was Aamir Khan’s reaction to this film?
He loved the film, I spoke to him and he said that this is one of the most beautiful love stories he has seen
What do you feel?
I agree. Everyone should watch the film to believe in the beauty of life. Life can be ugly but characters can react beautifully to it. It is inspirational.
You have been in the limelight for your bold statements.
I have been like this forever. Suddenly people are finding these things exciting which is a bit of a revelation for me. I was always this person.
Why aren’t you on a digital platform?
I think my characters are so demanding that I don’t get time for anything. When I was Datto (from Tanu Weds Manu Returns), I was missing for six months. That’s the kind of life I lived with Payal too, it is the experience of a lifetime. This is the dedication I give to my role, and it takes time. Where will social media exist in all of this? I don’t have so much in my personal life, what do I offer you as Kangana?
There was a statement you made that no one could play Datto and Divya Dutta reacted with “There is a lot of talent around.”
I completely respect what she said. Whatever statements I make, I am not asking for votes -- I am not a politician. I respect people who choose to differ. I respect her opinion as well as my own.
You also said that you share a Katti-Batti relation with Deepika Padukone.
I think one should consider the context in which the statement was made. When you read your statement, on hindsight, at times you feel “I could have let go of that.” I don’t think you should give importance to such things.
Which scene is the film do you think people will talk about?
It will be the last scene. I have also written the dialogue for that scene and that is why it is so special to me. The director wanted no dialogue but I wrote for the scene and he liked the lines. I had also written dialogue for Queen. The lines I write are very raw - they are simple but they bring high intensity to the scene. I like giving inputs to my dialogues and am curious about the feedback. I am also working (on the dialogues) for an untitled film that I will be doing after Rangoon.
Reports said that you are the highest paid actress. Does that hurt people?
I have received valuable feedback from people who are hurting because of my success and progress. I don’t think people are unhappy for me, only those who are affected by my success are unhappy ... and that is natural. I am happy they are being genuine about their reactions. But there are also people who are very proud of me.
Besides films what do you like?
I am interested in direction; if I get a chance I will direct a film. Besides that I like organic farming. I have bought myself a farm in Manali.