"When Kanika Dhillon (writer) narrated this role to me, I thought it was my story,” said Kangana Ranaut in a recent interview talking about her role in the film Judgementall Hai Kya. Well, it’s true, several scenes in Kangana Ranaut’s new film seems like a homage the actor has paid to herself.
If you haven’t seen Judgementall Hai Kya yet, this is a spoiler alert so that you can stop reading right here. If you have or don’t mind either way, go ahead and see how Kangana played herself in the film.
1. Problem Child Kangana
Bobby, the character played by Kangana Ranaut is seen as a complex and unpredictable being. Here are some terms that the men around Bobby use to describe and define her, “Badboli hai”, “Atrangi hai”, “Bahut complexes hai tumhe” and “Normal nahi ho tum.” Bobby’s like a problem that nobody can solve or get their head around, be it her manager (who also doubles up as her boyfriend), her neighbours or the men who work with her at the dubbing studio.
As someone who lives her life on her own terms, Kangana has been labeled in a similar way by the film industry and some sections of the media. It’s been difficult for the industry folk to put Kangana in a box. The actor herself has revealed that she’s always been judged in Bollywood and has had insiders spreading “crazy stories” about her. “It’s not possible for sane people to like me,” said Kangana in a recent interview.
2. Brave but Not “Easy” to Work With
Bobby is a committed, sincere and talented dubbing artiste who puts her heart and soul in to her assignments but she isn’t “easy” to work with. As a dubbing artiste, she wants to do retakes if she isn’t happy with her performance, she gets so involved with her characters that she begins to live them for real - that’s her level of dedication. But Bobby is also temperamental, her reputation at work is such that her manager has to remind her to behave or else be left without work, “Koi kaam nahin dega tujhe” he tells her. Another time when Bobby is given as assignment to dub for a south Indian film, “Studio mat jala dena,” warns her manager. Bobby would rather slash the nose of a producer who paws her, than given in to his harassment to further her career.
The industry is full of stories of how Kangana is difficult to work with. From Rangoon to Simran to Manikarnika, there are reports of co-actors, writers and filmmakers who’ve been miffed with the actor. She may be faultless as an actor, but working with Kangana is reportedly not a cakewalk. What’s more, Kangana was among the brave rare A-list actors who called out filmmaker Vikas Bahl’s predatory behaviour when he was accused of sexual harassment and assault by several women in the industry last year.
3. Taking on Nepotism
Besides working as a dubbing artiste, Bobby is also an aspiring actor herself. She looks at the actors performing on screen and believes she can do much better than any of them. Bobby can’t for the life of her comprehend how these actors get a break while she remains on the fringe. “Kaise kaise logon ko yahan role mil jaata hai...” she rants in disbelief to her boyfriend because despite her talent and commitment, she can’t find work.
Kangana has been a staunch voice in the industry against nepotism. She’s even called filmmaker Karan Johar, the “flag bearer of nepotism” on his show Koffee With Karan because of his penchant for launching star kids. The actor no doubt would have lost many an opportunity to be a part of several films backed by a Dharma or YRF on the account of not being a Bollywood insider or someone from the Kapoor or Khan family. Bobby’s angst expresses just that.
4. “I Will Expose You”
“I will expose you!” screams Bobby as she has a run in with Rajkummar Rao’s character Keshav one night in his home. Kangana’s character believes Keshav is hoodwinking everyone by keeping up appearances. Her sole aim then becomes to unmask him and prove to the world that he is no who he appears to be.
Kangana’s used the very same words many a time in real life. Earlier this year, after the release of her film Manikarnika, Kangana felt that a few stars in the industry had ganged up against her and did not come forward to support her film because she took a stand against nepotism. And then Kangana said that she would expose each and every one of them. "Earlier, I used to stand up against sexism, pay disparity and nepotism in Bollywood but now, I will expose everybody. One thing is for sure that they have called for trouble by ganging up against me," the actor vowed.
5. “Obsessed” With Someone She’s Trying to Expose
Kangana’s character Bobby in Judgementall Hai Kya is shown being drawn to her neighbour Keshav. She is attracted to the point of being obsessed with him. Bobby’s own boyfriend accuses her of being obsessed with Keshav. She spies on him, steals his photographs and fantasises about sharing intimate moments with her man-next-door. But down the line, she’s sure that there’s more to Keshav than what meets the eye. Bobby believes that the man is responsible for something terrible and gruesome and wants to expose his true colours.
In real life too, Kangana has been accused of being obsessed with her co-star Hrithik Roshan by an ex. During the whole Kangana-Hrithik controversy, such accusations kept flying left, right and centre. However, Kangana in her interviews tried to put her point of view across and has been unabashed in revealing personal details to clarify her side of the story and expose what she believes is the real face of her co-star.
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