The Malice & Betrayal’s Been Hard to Deal With: Kangana on Hrithik

As an individual, my first and foremost duty is to protect my own dignity as a woman, says the ‘Rangoon’ star.

Actress Kangana Ranaut says that her much publicised battle with Hrithik Roshan over their alleged love affair, is a thing of the past now and that the chapter is “done and dusted” for her.

But saying that, Kangana insists that she would take no shit lying down. In an interview to India Today, the Rangoon star revealed how she has fought back against all odds.

When you deal with malice and betrayal from someone who you have been extremely close to, of course, it does affect you. There is a character assassination - that too publicly - by that individual in whom you put all your faith and love. It has been very hard to deal with. But the fighter instinct in me dominates every other instinct. I did not think twice. I see so many woman committing suicide and falling into depression and my only point is why do they fail to attack? I’m not saying strip others off their dignity too. But you have got to say no to the healer archetype. I am extremely bold. I sent a notice back. I did not take it lying down.

Kangana Ranaut, Actor

She also opened up about how her mother was scared for her and asked her to back off.

My own family, my mother was like don’t do all these things and say, “Bade log hain tumhe marwa daalenge.” She would cry all the time. Out of concern and love, they wanted me to shut up - not because they don’t know want the truth to be out but (because) that’s the best thing. But that’s not the way to live. If you let your guard down, the other person then gets an opportunity to attack you. It is important to protect yourself. I was not fighting any individual battle but fighting against many prejudices. I took it all in my stride. So I am a whore, I’m sexually attractive, have psychological problems, capable of falling in love with men passionately. So what is my future? What should be done with me? They have nothing to say. They can’t kill the fierceness. 

And after her sensational debut on Koffee With Karan, we wonder if Kangana is making a snide reference to Karan Johar again who she accused of “nepotism” on the show.

I personally feel that women are made out to be a nurturer or a healer. We really over-identify with that archetype. We need to put a rein to it when it threatens our own dignity, pride and instinct. If someone I feel is being mean, obnoxious or unfair and threatening my survival instinct, as an individual my first and foremost duty is to protect my own dignity as a woman. I have done that whether it is from my father who had his standards of strict parenting, to my initial years in the industry when they tried to humiliate me and slot me in B-grade cinema. I fought that and even nepotism. I speak my mind. I don’t think twice before answering back to anyone. It doesn’t matter what a great artist you are and how big you are in the industry. I don’t encourage bullying or teasing. Why should I? 

The two stars’ tussle started when Kangana hinted at Hrithik being her “silly ex” during an interview last year. Their feud turned nasty after they slapped legal notices on each other. Hrithik even asked her to tender a public apology and refuted her claim of the two having had a relationship.

During this war of the words between the duo, there were people from the film industry who suggested the National Award-winning actress desist from making anything public.

I was called at big people’s houses. I was told if I open my mouth, I will be finished (referring to her career). But it doesn’t make any sense because that chapter is over for me. It is so done and dusted and it doesn’t hold any relevance in today’s time.

I had that (low) phase also but it did not frighten or threaten me because I knew I was not doing anything wrong.

The two reportedly started dating on sets of Krrish 3.

(With inputs from India Today and PTI)