Kangana Ranaut: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Indian actress}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}

| caption            = Kangana Ranaut at the [[2019 Cannes Film Festival]]

| alt                = Kangana Ranaut

| birth_place        = [[Mandi district|Bhambla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], India

| works              = [[Kangana Ranaut, roles and awards#Film roles|Full list]]

| awards            = [[Kangana Ranaut, roles and awards#Awards and nominations|Full list]]

'''Kangana Ranaut''' ({{IPA-hns|kəŋɡənaː raːɳoːʈʰ|pron}}; born 23 March 1987) is an Indian actress and filmmaker who works in [[Bollywood|Hindi films]]. The recipient of [[Kangana Ranaut, roles and awards#Awards and nominations|several awards]], including four [[National Film Awards]] and four [[Filmfare Awards]], she has featured six times in ''[[Forbes India]]''{{'s}} [[Celebrity 100]] list. In 2020, the [[Government of India]] honoured her with the [[Padma Shri]], the country's fourth highest civilian award.

Born in Bhambla, a small town in [[Himachal Pradesh]], Ranaut initially aspired to become a doctor at the insistence of her parents. Determined to build her own career, she relocated to [[Delhi]] at the age of sixteen and took up modelling for a brief period of time. After being trained under theatre director [[Arvind Gaur]], Ranaut made her feature film debut in the 2006 thriller ''[[Gangster (2006 film)|Gangster]]'', for which she was awarded the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut]]. She received praise for portraying emotionally intense characters in the dramas ''[[Woh Lamhe]]'' (2006), ''[[Life in a... Metro]]'' (2007) and ''[[Fashion (2008 film)|Fashion]]'' (2008). For the last of these, she won the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress]].

Ranaut appeared in the commercially successful films ''[[Raaz: The Mystery Continues]]'' (2009) and ''[[Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai]]'' (2010) but was criticised for being [[Typecasting (acting)|typecast]] in [[neurosis|neurotic]] roles. A comic role in ''[[Tanu Weds Manu]]'' (2011) was well-received, though this was followed by a series of brief, glamorous roles in films that failed to propel her career forward. This changed in 2013 when she played a [[mutant (fiction)|mutant]] in the science fiction film ''[[Krrish 3]]'', one of the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films]]. Ranaut went on to win two consecutive [[National Film Award for Best Actress|National Film Awards for Best Actress]] for playing an abandoned bride in the comedy-drama ''[[Queen (2014 film)|Queen]]'' (2014) and a dual role in the comedy sequel ''[[Tanu Weds Manu: Returns]]'' (2015), which was the biggest-earning female-led Hindi film at the time. After a number of commercial failures, she portrayed the [[Rani of Jhansi|titular warrior]] in her co-directorial venture, the biopic ''[[Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi]]'' (2019), followed by a role as a [[kabbadi]] player in the sports film ''[[Panga (film)|Panga]]'' (2020). She was awarded a fourth National Film Award for these two performances.

Ranaut is credited in the media as one of the best-dressed celebrities in the country, and is known to be outspoken. The opinions she has voiced, along with reports of her personal and professional relationships have frequently sparked controversy.

==Early life and background==

Ranaut was born on 23 March 1987 at Bhambla (now Surajpur), a small town in the [[Mandi, Himachal Pradesh|Mandi district]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]], into a [[Rajput]] family.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Divya|last=Goyal|date=January 18, 2019|title=Kangana Ranaut To Karni Sena On Manikarnika Row: I'm Rajput, Will Destroy You|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kangana-ranaut-to-karni-sena-on-manikarnika-row-im-rajput-will-destroy-you-1979536|access-date=2021-06-27|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Singh |first=Prashant |title=I am not fond of surprise birthdays: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/i-am-not-fond-of-surprise-birthdays-kangana-ranaut/story-kNFHsDiSkQ4aoGvmZEv5mO.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=23 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510084010/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/i-am-not-fond-of-surprise-birthdays-kangana-ranaut/story-kNFHsDiSkQ4aoGvmZEv5mO.html |archive-date=10 May 2017 }}</ref><ref name="hit">{{cite web |last=Deshmukh |first=Ashwini |title=Kangna: Men Keep Hitting On Me |url=http://idiva.com/interviews-entertainment/kangna-men-keep-hitting-on-me/5974 |publisher=iDiva |access-date=10 March 2014 |date=1 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023104416/http://idiva.com/interviews-entertainment/kangna-men-keep-hitting-on-me/5974 |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref><ref name="debut">{{cite news|last=Sharma |first=Chander S. |title=Kangana Ranaut makes her debut in Bollywood |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041221/himachal.htm#8 |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=21 December 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041221/himachal.htm |archive-date=21 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her mother, Asha Ranaut, is a school teacher, and her father, Amardeep Ranaut, is a businessman.<ref name="biography">{{cite web|title=Biography of Kangna Ranaut |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity-profile/Kangna-Ranaut.htm |publisher=[[Zee News]] |access-date=10 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310140407/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity-profile/Kangna-Ranaut.htm |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> She has an elder sister, Rangoli Chandel, who as of 2014 works as her manager and a younger brother, Akshat.<ref name="think">{{cite news|last=Singh |first=Suhani |title=It no longer matters what others think of me: Kangana |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/it-no-longer-matters-what-others-think-of-me-kangana/1/346887.html |access-date=23 March 2014 |work=[[India Today]] |date=5 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323105154/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/it-no-longer-matters-what-others-think-of-me-kangana/1/346887.html |archive-date=23 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name="peek">{{cite news|last=KBR|first=Upala|title=Peek into Ranaut's rich lifestyle|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/dec/031210-Kangna-Ranaut-Akshat-Rangoli-rich-lifestyle.htm|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=[[Mid-Day]]|date=3 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310140415/http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/dec/031210-Kangna-Ranaut-Akshat-Rangoli-rich-lifestyle.htm|archive-date=10 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her great-grandfather, Sarju Singh Ranaut, was a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] and her grandfather was an officer for the [[Indian Administrative Service]].<ref name="toi">{{cite news|last=Gupta |first=Priya |title=Married people need to go to a psychiatrist: Kangana |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Married-people-need-to-go-to-a-psychiatrist-Kangana/articleshow/18926925.cms |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=13 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309223255/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Married-people-need-to-go-to-a-psychiatrist-Kangana/articleshow/18926925.cms |archive-date= 9 March 2014 }}</ref> She grew up in a [[Hindu joint family|joint family]] at their ancestral [[haveli]] (mansion) in Bhambla, and described her childhood as "simple and happy".<ref name="peek"/><ref name="cosmo">{{cite news|last=Dobhal|first=Pratishtha|title=Kangna gets candid|url=http://cosmo.intoday.in/story/kangna-gets-candid/1/8030.html|access-date=25 March 2014|work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]|date=October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526010655/http://cosmo.intoday.in/story/kangna-gets-candid/1/109240.html|archive-date=26 May 2015 }}</ref>

According to Ranaut, she was "stubborn and rebellious" while growing up: "If my father would gift my brother a plastic gun and get a doll for me, I would not accept that. I questioned the discrimination."<ref name="htinterview">{{cite news|last=Ahmed |first=Afsana |title=Mom thought someone will make a blue film with me: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mom-thought-someone-will-make-a-blue-film-with-me-kangana-ranaut/story-OatBkA7SoCvSwjtc40zU4L.html |access-date=23 March 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605135311/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mom-thought-someone-will-make-a-blue-film-with-me-kangana-ranaut/story-OatBkA7SoCvSwjtc40zU4L.html |archive-date= 5 June 2016 }}</ref> She did not subscribe to the stereotypes that were expected of her and experimented with fashion from a young age, often pairing up accessories and clothes that would seem "bizarre" to her neighbours.<ref name="cosmo"/><ref name="htinterview"/> Ranaut was educated at the [[Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System|DAV School]] in [[Chandigarh]], where she pursued science as her core subject, remarking that she was "very studious" and "always paranoid about [...] results".<ref name="swan">{{cite news|last=Thind Joy |first=Jagmita |title=The Shy Girl Who Became a Swan |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-shy-girl-who-became-a-swan/940086/0 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=23 March 2014 |date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325054604/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-shy-girl-who-became-a-swan/940086/0 |archive-date=25 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kangana Ranaut: Enjoyed the anonymity that came with studying abroad |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-enjoyed-the-anonymity-that-came-with-studying-abroad-492336 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |access-date=23 March 2014 |date=6 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311004847/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-enjoyed-the-anonymity-that-came-with-studying-abroad-492336 |archive-date=11 March 2014 }}</ref> She initially intended to become a doctor on the insistence of her parents.<ref name="doctor">{{cite news|last=Nag|first=Nilanjana|title=I'm not even a graduate: Kangana|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Im-not-even-a-graduate-Kangana/articleshow/5993676.cms|access-date=23 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=1 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323105811/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Im-not-even-a-graduate-Kangana/articleshow/5993676.cms|archive-date=23 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> However, a failed unit test in [[chemistry]] during her [[Education in India|twelfth grade]] led Ranaut to reconsider her career prospects and despite preparing for the [[All India Pre Medical Test]], she did not turn up for the exam.<ref name="doctor"/> Determined to find her "space and freedom", she relocated to [[Delhi]] at the age of sixteen.<ref name="think"/><ref name="soul">{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut bares her soul|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-Ranaut-bares-her-soul/articleshow/2497438.cms?referral=PM|access-date=9 March 2014|work=The Times of India|date=29 October 2007}}</ref> Her decision not to pursue medicine led to constant feuding with her parents and her father refused to sponsor a pursuit he considered to be aimless.<ref name="htinterview"/>

In Delhi, Ranaut was unsure which career to choose; the [[Elite Model Management|Elite Modelling Agency]] were impressed by her looks and suggested that she model for them.<ref name="biography"/><ref name="soul"/> She took on a few modelling assignments, but generally disliked the career as she found "no scope for creativity".<ref name="biography"/><ref name="soul"/> Ranaut decided to shift focus towards acting and joined the Asmita Theatre Group, where she trained under the theatre director [[Arvind Gaur]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahajan |first=Esha |title=Two decades of Asmita theatre |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Two-decades-of-Asmita-theatre/articleshow/14242879.cms?referral=PM |access-date=9 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=18 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230165629/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Two-decades-of-Asmita-theatre/articleshow/14242879.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=30 December 2016 }}</ref> She participated in Gaur's theatre workshop at the [[India Habitat Centre]], acting in several of his plays, including the [[Girish Karnad]]-scripted ''[[Taledanda]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 things you didn't know about Kangna Ranaut |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kangna-ranaut/20140307.htm#1 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=7 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309113920/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-kangna-ranaut/20140307.htm |archive-date= 9 March 2014 }}</ref> During a performance, when one of the male actors went missing, Ranaut played his part along with her original role of a woman.<ref name="hearts">{{cite news|last=Uniyal |first=Parmita |title=Kangana Ranaut: from tragedy queen to queen of hearts |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-from-tragedy-queen-to-queen-of-hearts/article1-1198920.aspx#sthash.Pzc3J6G9.dpuf |access-date=25 March 2014 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=22 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325015859/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-from-tragedy-queen-to-queen-of-hearts/article1-1198920.aspx |archive-date=25 March 2014 }}</ref> A positive reaction from the audience prompted her to relocate to [[Mumbai]] to pursue a career in film and she enrolled herself for a four-month acting course in Asha Chandra's drama school.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sahani |first=Alaka |title=Kangana Ranaut: 'Queen' is changing the way my contemporaries perceive me |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-queen-is-changing-the-way-my-contemporaries-perceive-me/99/ |access-date=26 March 2014 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=23 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326062902/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-queen-is-changing-the-way-my-contemporaries-perceive-me/99/ |archive-date=26 March 2014 }}</ref>

Ranaut struggled with her meager earnings during this period, eating only "bread and [[Pickles in India and Pakistan|aachar]] (pickle)". Refusing her father's financial assistance led to a rift in their relationship which she later regretted.<ref name="toi"/><ref name="htinterview"/> Her relatives were unhappy with her decision to enter the film-making industry,<ref name="think"/> and they did not correspond with her for several years.<ref name="hit"/><ref name="peek"/><ref name="htinterview"/> She reconciled with them after the release of ''[[Life in a... Metro]]'' in 2007.<ref name="peek"/>

==Career==

===2004–2008: Film debut and critical acclaim===

[[File:Kangana Ranaut at GIFA in 2006.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Kangana Ranaut is smiling away from the camera|Ranaut at the 2006 [[Global Indian Film Awards]] where she won the [[GIFA Best Female Debut Award|Best Female Debut]] award for ''[[Gangster (2006 film)|Gangster]]''<ref name="gifa">{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut new face of 2006|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061225/main8.htm|access-date=11 March 2014|newspaper=The Tribune|date=25 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007172158/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061225/main8.htm|archive-date=7 October 2008 }}</ref>]]

In 2004, the producers Ramesh Sharma and Pahlaj Nilani announced that Ranaut would make her film debut with the Deepak Shivdasani-directed ''I Love You Boss''.<ref name="debut"/><ref name="catch">{{cite news|last=Shah |first=Kunal M. |title=Catch 22 |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Catch-22/articleshow/15913784.cms |access-date=21 March 2014 |newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |date=1 April 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322030127/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Catch-22/articleshow/15913784.cms |archive-date=22 March 2014 }}</ref> The following year, an agent took her to the office of the producer [[Mahesh Bhatt]], where she interacted with the director [[Anurag Basu]] and auditioned for the lead role in the romantic thriller ''[[Gangster (2006 film)|Gangster]]''.<ref name="soul"/><ref name="loss">{{cite news|title=Chitrangada Singh's loss was Kangana Ranaut's gain |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Hindi/TV/News/Chitrangada-Singhs-loss-was-Kangana-Ranauts-gain/articleshow/39037411.cms |access-date=27 July 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=26 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830170630/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Hindi/TV/News/Chitrangada-Singhs-loss-was-Kangana-Ranauts-gain/articleshow/39037411.cms |archive-date=30 August 2015 }}</ref> Bhatt felt that she was too young for the role and signed [[Chitrangada Singh]] instead. However, Singh was later unavailable to do the film and Ranaut was contracted as a replacement for ''Gangster,''<ref name="loss"/> opting out of ''I Love You Boss''.<ref name="catch"/> She was cast in the central role of Simran, an alcoholic woman caught in a romantic triangle between a notorious gangster (played by [[Shiney Ahuja]]) and a sympathetic friend (played by [[Emraan Hashmi]]). Ranaut was only seventeen while filming and said that she "had difficulty first in understanding and then unwinding from the character", describing her craft as "raw and immature".<ref name="english">{{cite news|last=Pillaai |first=Jitesh |title="I couldn't speak English"- Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-couldnt-speak-english-kangana-ranaut-4433.html |access-date=9 March 2014 |work=[[Filmfare]] |date=21 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023230314/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-couldnt-speak-english-kangana-ranaut-4433.html |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref> Released in 2006, ''Gangster'' emerged as a critical and commercial success and her performance was praised.<ref name="journey">{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut's impressive Bollywood journey |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranauts-impressive-bollywood-journey/1/321907.html |access-date=9 March 2014 |work=India Today |date=6 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309061446/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranauts-impressive-bollywood-journey/1/321907.html |archive-date= 9 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name="box office">{{cite web|title=Kangana Ranaut: Box Office Details and Filmography |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Star_Cast/actor_detail/kangana_ranaut |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=9 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918191957/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Star_Cast/actor_detail/kangana_ranaut |archive-date=18 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Raja Sen]] of [[Rediff.com]] said that "Kangana is a remarkable find, the actress coming across with great conviction. Hers is the pivotal character and an extremely difficult role to essay, but she manages it well [...] Kangana's nuances [of an alcoholic character] are disconcertingly realistic."<ref>{{cite web|last=Sen |first=Raja |title=This Gangster packs a punch! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/28gangster.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=28 April 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526055306/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/28gangster.htm |archive-date=26 May 2013 }}</ref> She won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut]], along with various other debut awards.<ref name="bio">{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut: celeb bio|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Celebrity/Kangana-Ranaut/894273-Profile.aspx|access-date=9 March 2014|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103173251/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Celebrity/Kangana-Ranaut/894273-Profile.aspx|archive-date=3 January 2015}}</ref>

Ranaut's next role was in the [[Mohit Suri]]-directed drama ''[[Woh Lamhe]]'' (2006), a semi-biographical film based on the [[schizophrenic]] actress [[Parveen Babi]] and her relationship with the director Mahesh Bhatt.<ref>{{cite news|title=Real to reel|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/photos/b-town-specials/real-to-reel/parveen/|access-date=9 March 2014|newspaper=Mid Day}}</ref> She said that portraying Babi had left her emotionally drained, as she had begun to "feel her desolation and loneliness."<ref>{{cite news|last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |title=Her moment |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061013/asp/etc/story_6861643.asp |date=13 October 2006 |access-date=20 March 2014 |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320082925/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061013/asp/etc/story_6861643.asp |archive-date=20 March 2014 }}</ref> Film critic [[Subhash K. Jha]] wrote that Ranaut "is the first female performer of Bollywood since [[Smita Patil|Smita]] and [[Shabana Azmi|Shabana]] who isn't scared to strip her soul naked for the camera", adding that she is a "hugely expressive actress with a phenomenal ability to convey torment, hurt and incredulity through the eyes".<ref>{{cite web|last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |title=Woh Lamhe |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/woh-lamhe-review-bollywood-14301723.html |publisher=Sify |access-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411231735/http://www.sify.com/movies/woh-lamhe-review-bollywood-14301723.html |archive-date=11 April 2014 }}</ref> Despite positive reviews, the film underperformed at the box office.<ref>{{cite news|last=Adarsh |first=Taran |title=Woh Lamhe (2006) Movie Review |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/798/Woh%20Lamhe |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=29 September 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309140432/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/reviews/type/view/id/798/Woh%20Lamhe |archive-date= 9 March 2014 }}<br>{{cite web|last=Singh |first=Gullu |title=Watch Woh Lamhe for Kangana |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/29lamhe.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=29 September 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115092207/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/29lamhe.htm |archive-date=15 January 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Box Office 2006|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2006.htm|website=Box Office India|access-date=16 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210215300/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2006.htm|archive-date=10 February 2007}}</ref>

The following year, Ranaut portrayed an aspiring musician in [[Suneel Darshan]]'s musical thriller ''[[Shakalaka Boom Boom]]'', alongside [[Bobby Deol]], [[Upen Patel]] and [[Celina Jaitly]].<ref>{{cite news|title=I recommend meditation for all actors: Kangana |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-recommend-meditation-for-all-actors-kangana-1095643 |date=9 May 2007 |access-date=20 March 2014 |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320070522/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-recommend-meditation-for-all-actors-kangana-1095643 |archive-date=20 March 2014 }}</ref> The film's production was marred by a dispute between Ranaut and Darshan; she objected to her voice being dubbed by another artist, but he insisted that he needed a particular "twang and accent" for her character.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jha|first=Subhash K.|title=Suneel, Kangana's lingua fracas|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/suneel-kangana-s-lingua-fracas/story-6u6EOcARSEu4HJp6QpfuEI.html|date=11 April 2007|access-date=20 March 2014|newspaper=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510113105/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/suneel-kangana-s-lingua-fracas/story-6u6EOcARSEu4HJp6QpfuEI.html|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' described the film as an "amateur mess" and the film proved to be a box office flop.<ref name="box office"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Chopra |first=Anupama |title=Amateur mess |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-of-shakalaka-boom-boom-by-suneel-darshan2007/1/156365.html |date=23 April 2007 |access-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320083328/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-of-shakalaka-boom-boom-by-suneel-darshan2007/1/156365.html |archive-date=20 March 2014 }}</ref> She next reunited with Anurag Basu for the [[ensemble cast|ensemble]] drama ''Life in a... Metro'', playing the supporting role of Neha, a shrewd socialite engaged in an affair with her married boss (played by [[Kay Kay Menon]]). Despite a poor initial run at the box office, the film emerged as a profitable venture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw== |title=Box Office 2008 |website=Box Office India |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014132441/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw%3D%3D |archive-date=14 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Khalid Mohamed]] of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' was critical of the film, noting its lack of originality and realism.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mohamed|first=Khalid|title=Review: Life in a... Metro|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/review-life-in-a-metro/story-UvWVqCKW5RW6Vw731JnurK.html|access-date=9 March 2014|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=11 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221042656/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/review-life-in-a-metro/story-UvWVqCKW5RW6Vw731JnurK.html|archive-date=21 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In a more positive review, Raja Sen wrote that Ranaut "is refreshing [...] and manages to herd her emotions well, playing a complex role but hardly ever overreaching", but criticised her delivery of English lines.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sen |first=Raja |title=There's Something About Metro |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/may/11metro.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=11 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212080134/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/may/11metro.htm |archive-date=12 December 2013 }}</ref> For her role, Ranaut was awarded the [[Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance – Female]].<ref name="bio"/>

Ranaut next portrayed a village girl in ''[[Dhaam Dhoom]]'' (2008), a [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] romantic thriller, opposite [[Jayam Ravi]]. Production on the film was temporarily halted when the director, [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]], died of cardiac arrest and the film was completed by the crew members.<ref>{{cite news|author=Kumar, S.R. Ashok |title=Jeeva's Dhaam Dhoom ready for release |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041759280200.htm |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=6 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421024807/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041759280200.htm |archive-date=21 April 2008 }}</ref> A review carried by ''[[Post (South Africa)|Post]]'' wrote that Ranaut had "little scope" in a role that did not suit her.<ref>

{{cite web |title=Last work of a talented director |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-188902335.html |work=[[Post (South Africa)|Post]] |url-access=subscription |via=[[HighBeam Research]] |access-date=20 March 2014 |date=12 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611094757/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-188902335.html |archive-date=11 June 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

</ref> ''India Today'' described her next film, the [[Madhur Bhandarkar]]-directed drama ''[[Fashion (2008 film)|Fashion]]'' (2008), as a "landmark" in her career.<ref name="journey"/> Set against the backdrop of the Indian fashion industry, the film co-starred [[Priyanka Chopra]] and [[Mugdha Godse]] and featured Ranaut as Shonali Gujral, a [[Substance dependence|substance abusing]] supermodel struggling to cope with her foundering career. Because the media speculated that her role was based on the former model Geetanjali Nagpal (which both Ranaut and Bhandarkar denied),<ref>{{cite news|last=Jain|first=Princy|title=Fashion has nothing to do with Geetanjali Nagpal|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/fashion-has-nothing-to-do-with-geetanjali-nagpal/story-OyTuAsGwHu58C6QUAVsqBO.html|access-date=21 March 2014|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=23 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510113046/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/fashion-has-nothing-to-do-with-geetanjali-nagpal/story-OyTuAsGwHu58C6QUAVsqBO.html|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Delhi Commission for Women]] (DCW), ordered a stay on the film's release, approving it only after a script narration.{{efn|name=A}}<ref>{{cite news|title='Fashion' not on Gitanjali, says Madhur Bhandarkar |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Fashion-not-on-Gitanjali-says-Madhur-Bhandarkar/articleshow/3647095.cms?referral=PM |access-date=21 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=28 October 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229174619/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Fashion-not-on-Gitanjali-says-Madhur-Bhandarkar/articleshow/3647095.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=29 December 2016 }}</ref> With a worldwide revenue of 600 million Indian rupees ({{INR}}), approximately US$10 million, ''Fashion'' emerged as a commercial success,<ref>{{cite web|title=December gives some respite with 2 hits |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/december-gives-some-respite-with-2-hits/404989/ |work=The Indian Express |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=18 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205062424/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/december-gives-some-respite-with-2-hits/404989/ |archive-date= 5 February 2009 }}</ref> and was listed by Subhash K. Jha as one of the best films of the decade with women protagonists.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |title=10 best woman-oriented films of the past decade |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/6258 |work=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=8 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309213949/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/6258 |archive-date= 9 March 2014 }}</ref> Ranaut's performance drew unanimous critical acclaim.<ref name="journey"/> [[Taran Adarsh]] of [[Bollywood Hungama]] praised her confident portrayal of the character and believed that she was the real star of the film,<ref>{{cite news|last=Adarsh |first=Taran |title=Fashion (2008) Movie Review |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/538488 |work=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=29 October 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309213914/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/538488 |archive-date= 9 March 2014 }}</ref> and [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[The Times of India]]'' added that she "does an exquisite metamorphosis from a wispy, high-strung, nervous child-woman to a stunning ramp diva."<ref>{{cite news|last=Kazmi |first=Nikhat |title=Fashion |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Fashion/movie-review/3659730.cms |access-date=9 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=31 October 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222051301/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-review/Fashion/movie-review/3659730.cms |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> Ranaut's portrayal earned her several awards, including the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|National Film Award]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Filmfare Award]] for Best Supporting Actress.<ref name="bio"/>

===2009–2012: Career fluctuations===

The supernatural horror film ''[[Raaz: The Mystery Continues]]'' from director Mohit Suri was Ranaut's first film release of 2009, in which she played a successful model who is possessed by a ghost.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chaudhary |first=Swati R. |title=I hope we can score another hit with Raaz 2 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/sep/25mohit.htm |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=Rediff.com |date=25 September 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145045/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/sep/25mohit.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}</ref> The film co-starred Emraan Hashmi and [[Adhyayan Suman]] and proved to be a financial success.<ref name="box office"/> Shubhra Gupta of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' noted that Ranaut was becoming stereotyped in roles that required her to be "hysterical", adding that she needed a "radical change of image".<ref>{{cite news|last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |title=Raaz, The Mystery Continues |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/raaz-the-mystery-continues/414741/0 |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=24 January 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310063050/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/raaz-the-mystery-continues/414741/0 |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> Also that year, she played the [[leading lady]] in the drama ''[[Vaada Raha]]'' and the [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] action film ''[[Ek Niranjan]]'', neither of which were particularly notable.<ref name="journey"/>

In a brief role in Anurag Basu's romantic thriller ''[[Kites (film)|Kites]]'' (2010), Ranaut portrayed the fiancée of [[Hrithik Roshan]]'s character. She said that she felt "cheated" after watching the film, as her role proved to be much smaller than what she had initially signed on for.<ref name="starweek">{{cite news|last=Ghosh|first=Chandni|title=Kangna Ranaut: Krrish 3 Will Have A Path-Breaking Performance For Me|url=http://www.magnamags.com/stardust-syle-secrets/casual-looks/kangna-ranaut-krrish-3-will-have-a-path-breaking-performance-for-me/2168|access-date=10 March 2014|work=StarWeek|date=13 November 2013}}</ref> She then portrayed fictional film actress Rehana in the [[Milan Luthria]]-directed gangster film ''[[Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai]]''. Also starring [[Ajay Devgn]], Emraan Hashmi and [[Prachi Desai]], the film chronicles the rise and subsequent fall of an underworld don (played by Devgn) in the 1970s. Ranaut said that her character was "a mix" of the actress [[Madhubala]] and the gangster [[Haji Mastan]]'s wife and that to prepare she observed the work of the actresses [[Zeenat Aman]] and Parveen Babi.<ref>{{cite news|title='My character is a mix of Madhubala and Haji Mastan's wife' |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archived-stories/my-character-is-a-mix-of-madhubala-and-haji-mastan-s-wife/article1-560917.aspx |access-date=20 March 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |date=21 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320113034/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archived-stories/my-character-is-a-mix-of-madhubala-and-haji-mastan-s-wife/article1-560917.aspx |archive-date=20 March 2014 }}</ref> The film was one of the most successful releases of the year and garnered positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=317&catName=MjAxMC0yMDE5|title=Box office 2010|website=Box Office India|access-date=9 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014094622/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=317&catName=MjAxMC0yMDE5|archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai gets rave reviews from all quarters|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/once-upon-a-time-in-mumbaai-gets-rave-reviews-from-all-quarters/story-e8ybDshPMoc9NWmrR6faLP.html|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=30 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510113033/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/once-upon-a-time-in-mumbaai-gets-rave-reviews-from-all-quarters/story-e8ybDshPMoc9NWmrR6faLP.html|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Sudish Kamath of ''[[The Hindu]]'' labelled her a "delight" and ''[[Mid-Day]]''{{'s}} Sarita Tanwar praised her for being "totally convincing" in the role.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kamath |first=Sudish |title=Good old-fashioned dialogue baazi |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/good-oldfashioned-dialogue-baazi/article553361.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=10 March 2014 |date=5 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320125528/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/good-oldfashioned-dialogue-baazi/article553361.ece |archive-date=20 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tanwar|first=Sarita|title=Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai&nbsp;— Movie review|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/jul/310710-Movie-review-Once-Upon-A-Time-In-Mumbaai.htm|work=Mid Day|access-date=10 March 2014|date=31 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320125637/http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/jul/310710-Movie-review-Once-Upon-A-Time-In-Mumbaai.htm|archive-date=20 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> After playing a television reporter in the thriller ''[[Knock Out (2010 film)|Knock Out]]'', Ranaut actively looked for a comedy and found the role in [[Anees Bazmee]]'s ''[[No Problem (2010 film)|No Problem]]'', but both films failed to propel her career forward.<ref name="journey"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Chakravorty |first=Vinayak |title='Dumb' girl Kangna is a knock out |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dumb-girl-kangna-is-a-knock-out/1/100417.html |work=India Today |access-date=10 March 2014 |date=6 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808055129/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dumb-girl-kangna-is-a-knock-out/1/100417.html |archive-date= 8 August 2014 }}</ref>

According to Bollywood Hungama, after establishing a reputation for portraying [[neurosis|neurotic]] characters, Ranaut was seeking projects that would be "less emotionally exhausting" for her.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tuteja |first=Joginder |title="My newer films are less emotionally exhausting" - Kangna Ranaut |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/features/type/view/id/251 |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=1 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329101201/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/features/type/view/id/251 |archive-date=29 March 2014 }}</ref> Her first release of 2011 was [[Anand L. Rai]]'s ''[[Tanu Weds Manu]]'', a romantic comedy opposite [[R. Madhavan]], which Ranaut considers a "game changer" for her.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut wants Rajjo to be a game changer for her |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-wants-rajjo-to-be-game-changer-for-her/1/313591.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=India Today |date=8 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310111812/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-wants-rajjo-to-be-game-changer-for-her/1/313591.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Post 'Tanu Weds Manu' people are more confident about me: Kangna Ranaut |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/post-tanu-weds-manu-people-are-more-confident-about-me-kangna-ranaut_128793.html |publisher=Zee News |access-date=10 March 2014 |date=26 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310093438/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/post-tanu-weds-manu-people-are-more-confident-about-me-kangna-ranaut_128793.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> Rai stated that he cast her for the role to illustrate that the actress was capable of playing other roles and that her character in the film was unlike any of those that she had played previously.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana goes light hearted for 'Tanu Weds Manu' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kangana-goes-light-hearted-for-tanu-weds-manu/article4714.ece |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 August 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329082107/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kangana-goes-light-hearted-for-tanu-weds-manu/article4714.ece |archive-date=29 March 2014 }}</ref> Critical reaction to the film was mixed, though Ranaut's performance was praised.<ref name="box office"/><ref name="bio"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Tanu Weds Manu: Clichéd story, wonderful moments |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/tanu-weds-manu-cliched-story-wonderful-moments/story-umP1VOI3h9yF6GFuQDRtcL.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=25 February 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510084005/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/tanu-weds-manu-cliched-story-wonderful-moments/story-umP1VOI3h9yF6GFuQDRtcL.html |archive-date=10 May 2017 }}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] wrote, "Kangana Ranaut is a pleasant surprise in a cheery, upbeat part that we haven't seen her take on before. She rises to the challenge, only hampered occasionally by her mangled dialogue delivery."<ref>{{cite news|last=Bamzai |first=Kaveree |title=Tanu Weds Manu review: Small town whirl |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tanu-weds-manu-review/1/130808.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=India Today |date=24 February 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310105953/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tanu-weds-manu-review/1/130808.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Masand |first=Rajeev |title=Masand: 'Tanu Weds Manu' is bizarre |url=http://www.news18.com/videos/india/masand-verdict-tanu-weds-manu-361655.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |publisher=[[CNN-IBN]] |date=4 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602185105/http://www.news18.com/videos/india/masand-verdict-tanu-weds-manu-361655.html |archive-date= 2 June 2016 }}</ref> Ranaut received Best Actress nominations at several award ceremonies, including [[Screen Awards|Screen]] and [[Zee Cine Awards|Zee Cine]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Nominations for 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2012 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2951 |work=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=6 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121053726/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2951 |archive-date=21 January 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Zee Cine Awards 2012-Nomination List |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/zee-cine-awards-2012-nomination-list_104104.html |publisher=Zee News |access-date=9 March 2014 |date=18 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202203/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/zee-cine-awards-2012-nomination-list_104104.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}</ref>

Ranaut followed the success of ''Tanu Weds Manu'' by starring in a series of brief, glamorous roles in four other films of 2011: ''[[Game (2011 film)|Game]]'', ''[[Double Dhamaal]]'', ''[[Rascals (2011 film)|Rascals]]'' and ''[[Miley Naa Miley Hum]]''. With the exception of ''Double Dhamaal'', none of these films performed well.<ref name="journey"/><ref name="box office"/> In a review for ''Rascals'', the critic Gaurav Malani wrote: "Kangana Ranaut is ill at ease in comedy. She struggles to hold her own and emerges as a [[bimbo]] in her act."<ref>{{cite news|last=Malani|first=Gaurav|title=Rascals: Movie review|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Rascals-Movie-Review/articleshow/10231893.cms|access-date=8 June 2014|work=The Times of India|date=6 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031072943/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Rascals-Movie-Review/articleshow/10231893.cms|archive-date=31 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Ranaut later said that she did some of these films due to a dearth of film offers.<ref name="rejection">{{cite news|last=Singh |first=Raghuvendra |title=I have faced rejection like Rani in Queen |url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-have-faced-rejection-like-rani-in-queen-5549.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=Filmfare |date=7 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310005627/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-have-faced-rejection-like-rani-in-queen-5549.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Films like 'Rascals' didn't badly affect my career: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/flop-films-havent-affected-my-career-kangana-645382.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=16 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602192922/http://www.news18.com/news/india/flop-films-havent-affected-my-career-kangana-645382.html |archive-date= 2 June 2016 }}</ref> The following year, Ranaut portrayed a supporting role opposite Ajay Devgn in [[Priyadarshan]]'s action thriller ''[[Tezz]]'', another box office flop.<ref name="box office"/>

===2013–2015: Established actress===

The director [[Sanjay Gupta (director)|Sanjay Gupta]] cast Ranaut in a brief role opposite [[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]] in the crime thriller ''[[Shootout at Wadala]]'' (2013) due to her ability to stand out in a predominantly male-centric film.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangna Ranaut plays Vidya in Shootout At Wadala |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/4893 |access-date=21 March 2014 |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=22 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321064452/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/4893 |archive-date=21 March 2014 }}</ref> The ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]''{{'}} Tushar Joshi wrote that her role was written "to provide the sex quotient" and critic Vinayak Chakravorty opined that she "does not get much scope [...] beyond the steamy lovemaking grind".<ref>{{cite news|last=Joshi |first=Tushar |title=Film Review: Watch 'Shootout at Wadala' at a single screen to experience its true flavor |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-film-review-watch-shootout-at-wadala-at-a-single-screen-to-experience-its-true-flavor-1830130 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=10 March 2014 |date=3 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321071909/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-film-review-watch-shootout-at-wadala-at-a-single-screen-to-experience-its-true-flavor-1830130 |archive-date=21 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chakravorty |first=Vinayak |title=Movie review: Shootout at Wadala |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shootout-at-wadala-movie-review/1/269148.html |work=India Today |access-date=10 March 2014 |date=3 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503225234/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shootout-at-wadala-movie-review/1/269148.html |archive-date= 3 May 2014 }}</ref> Commercially, the film performed moderately well.<ref name="box office"/>

[[File:Kangana Ranaut at QUEEN success party.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Kangana Ranaut is looking away from the camera|Ranaut at the success party of ''[[Queen (2014 film)|Queen]]'' (2014). She won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Filmfare]] and [[National Film Award for Best Actress|National Film Award]] for Best Actress for the film.]]

Ranaut achieved success later in 2013 for her portrayal of Kaya, a [[shapeshifting]] [[mutant]], in [[Rakesh Roshan]]'s [[science fiction film|science fiction]] film ''[[Krrish 3]]'', alongside Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and [[Vivek Oberoi]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Iyer|first=Meena|title=Kangna Ranaut bags Krrish sequel|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangna-Ranaut-bags-Krrish-sequel/articleshow/10541314.cms|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=31 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129170939/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangna-Ranaut-bags-Krrish-sequel/articleshow/10541314.cms|archive-date=29 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kangana Ranaut: Bollywood's first super girl! |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-bollywoods-first-super-girl_99277.html |publisher=Zee News |access-date=11 March 2014 |date=31 October 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311155255/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-bollywoods-first-super-girl_99277.html |archive-date=11 March 2014 }}</ref> She initially declined the offer, given her disappointment with her role in ''Kites'', which Rakesh Roshan produced.<ref name="starweek"/> After other actresses had similarly turned down the role, Roshan approached Ranaut again and promised a better role, and she eventually accepted.<ref>{{cite news|title=I am the heroine of 'Krrish 3': Priyanka Chopra|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/I-am-the-heroine-of-Krrish-3-Priyanka-Chopra/articleshow/24336557.cms|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=18 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029101927/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/I-am-the-heroine-of-Krrish-3-Priyanka-Chopra/articleshow/24336557.cms|archive-date=29 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="starweek"/> Critics thought that ''Krrish 3'' was entertaining but lacking in originality, though Ranaut's performance garnered praise.<ref name="journey"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Movie review: Krrish 3 entertains, but lacks originality|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/movie-review-krrish-3-entertains-but-lacks-originality/story-IXdtmKJEbxrDuC2edbHMAK.html|last=Uniyal|first=Parmita|work=Hindustan Times|date=1 November 2013|access-date=21 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510113057/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/movie-review-krrish-3-entertains-but-lacks-originality/story-IXdtmKJEbxrDuC2edbHMAK.html|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The critic Sarita Tanwar of ''Daily News and Analysis'' said: "Kangana Ranaut is delightful as an alien making the weird hair and clothes work for her. She even manages to make you feel her pain. Quite an accomplishment that!"<ref>{{cite news|title=Film review: Krrish 3 is an entertaining mix of spectacle and human-scale drama |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-film-review-krrish-3-is-an-entertaining-mix-of-spectacle-and-human-scale-drama-1912095 |author=Tanwar, Sarita A. |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=1 November 2013 |access-date=22 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103194055/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-film-review-krrish-3-is-an-entertaining-mix-of-spectacle-and-human-scale-drama-1912095 |archive-date= 3 November 2013 }}</ref> With global ticket sales of {{INRConvert|3|b}}, the film emerged as one of the [[List of highest-grossing Bollywood films|highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time]], becoming Ranaut's most financially profitable venture.<ref name="box office"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=6308&nCat=|title=Worldwide Top Ten 2013|website=Box Office India|access-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212753/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=6308&nCat=|archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> Also that year, Ranaut played the eponymous lead in the musical drama ''[[Rajjo]]''. The film was a critical and commercial failure and Ranaut's portrayal of a [[nautch|nautch girl]] was largely criticised.<ref name="box office"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Movie review: Rajjo is pathetically made |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/movie-review-rajjo-is-pathetically-made/story-SwdC7OiJumuiLNt89QlnSO.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=15 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820122353/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/movie-review-rajjo-is-pathetically-made/story-SwdC7OiJumuiLNt89QlnSO.html |archive-date=20 August 2016 }}</ref> Paloma Sharma of Rediff.com commented that "Kangana Ranaut struggles with her [[Mumbaiyya]] dialogues and is not as graceful in the dance sequences as one would have expected."<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharma |first=Paloma |title=Review: Rajjo is a horribly confused film |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-rajjo-is-a-horribly-confused-film/20131115.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=13 April 2014 |date=15 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413125211/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-rajjo-is-a-horribly-confused-film/20131115.htm |archive-date=13 April 2014 }}</ref>

In 2014, Ranaut established herself in Hindi cinema when she featured alongside [[Rajkummar Rao]] and [[Lisa Haydon]] in the [[coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] dramedy ''[[Queen (2014 film)|Queen]]''; she also co-wrote the dialogues with [[Anvita Dutt Guptan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut hikes her fees |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-Ranaut-hikes-her-fees/articleshow/32415051.cms |access-date=23 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=23 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323062508/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-Ranaut-hikes-her-fees/articleshow/32415051.cms |archive-date=23 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pathak |first=Ankur |title=Queen and I |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Queen-and-I/articleshow/32388674.cms |access-date=21 March 2014 |newspaper=Mumbai Mirror |date=21 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323050429/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Queen-and-I/articleshow/32388674.cms |archive-date=23 March 2014 }}</ref> The film tells the story of Rani, a naive girl who embarks on her honeymoon alone after her fiancé calls off their wedding. Ranaut, who describes herself as "independent and confident", reflected that the role was one of the toughest she had played, as the character's personality traits contrasted with her own.<ref>{{cite news|last=Srivastava |first=Priyanka |title=Kangana fascinated by Queen character |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-queen-vikas-bahl/1/346901.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=India Today |date=5 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310042539/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-queen-vikas-bahl/1/346901.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sunayana Suresh & Kasmin Fernandes |title=It takes me three days to get over a break-up: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/It-takes-me-three-days-to-get-over-a-break-up-Kangana-Ranaut/articleshow/31405112.cms? |access-date=10 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=5 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308050129/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/It-takes-me-three-days-to-get-over-a-break-up-Kangana-Ranaut/articleshow/31405112.cms |archive-date= 8 March 2014 }}</ref> The film and Ranaut's performance received unanimous acclaim from critics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mehta |first=Ankita |title='Queen' Review Roundup: Watch it for Kangana's Superb Performance |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/542085/20140306/queen-movie-reviews-critics-kangana-ranaut-songs.htm |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=6 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310011304/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/542085/20140306/queen-movie-reviews-critics-kangana-ranaut-songs.htm |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> Devesh Sharma of ''[[Filmfare]]'' wrote that the fact that she "flits from one aspect of her character to another without breaking stride shows her maturity as an actor. Her efforts make you clap for Rani's small and big victories, you root for her character to come up trumps and are glad about the glorious transformation at the end."<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharma |first=Devesh |title=Movie Review: Queen |url=http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-queen-5546.html |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=Filmfare |date=7 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310112517/http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-queen-5546.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> With a worldwide total of {{INRConvert|970|m}}, the film also emerged as a box office hit.<ref name="worldwide">{{cite web|title=Top Worldwide Grossers All Time |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Collections/world_total#.VbC_lvmSiYA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919181138/http://boxofficeindia.com/Collections/world_total |archive-date=19 September 2015 |website=Box Office India |access-date=23 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She won both the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Filmfare Award]] and the [[National Film Award for Best Actress|National Film Award]] for Best Actress for the film.<ref name="ff15">{{cite news|title=60th Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014: Complete list of winners |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/60th-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-2014-Complete-list-of-winners/articleshow/46080277.cms |work=The Times of India |date=31 January 2015 |access-date=31 January 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203081332/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/60th-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-2014-Complete-list-of-winners/articleshow/46080277.cms |archive-date= 3 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/62nd-national-film-awards-winners-haider-wins-five-queen-two/ |title=62nd National Film Awards' winners: 'Haider' wins five, Kangana Ranaut's 'Queen' two |work=The Indian Express |date=24 March 2015 |access-date=24 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325062007/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/62nd-national-film-awards-winners-haider-wins-five-queen-two/ |archive-date=25 March 2015 }}</ref>

Ranaut followed the success of ''Queen'' by playing an aggressive politician in the black comedy ''[[Revolver Rani]]'' and a medical intern in the political drama ''[[Ungli]]'' (both 2014).<ref>{{cite news|last=Sahgal |first=Geety |title=Kangana Ranaut plays a neurotic personality in 'Revolver Rani' |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/kangana-ranaut-plays-a-neurotic-personality-in-revolver-rani/ |access-date=25 April 2014 |work=The Indian Express |date=19 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423012553/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/kangana-ranaut-plays-a-neurotic-personality-in-revolver-rani/ |archive-date=23 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chatterjee |first=Saibal |title=Ungli Movie Review |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/ungli-movie-review-1063 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=28 November 2014 |date=29 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128164502/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/ungli-movie-review-1063 |archive-date=28 November 2014 }}</ref> Also that year, she made her production and directorial debut with an English language [[short film]] entitled ''The Touch'', dealing with the relationship between a four-year-old boy and a dog; she co-wrote the screenplay with an Australian writer and filmed it in America.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jain |first=Nehal |title=Kangana Ranaut turns 27 with 27 films to her credit |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kangana-ranaut-turns-27-with-27-films-to-her-credit-1971089 |access-date=23 March 2014 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=23 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324202411/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kangana-ranaut-turns-27-with-27-films-to-her-credit-1971089 |archive-date=24 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut turns director with short film |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kangana-ranaut-turns-director-with-short-film/981895/0 |access-date=10 March 2014 |work=The Indian Express |date=31 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310112853/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kangana-ranaut-turns-director-with-short-film/981895/0 |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref>

The following year, Ranaut starred in ''[[Tanu Weds Manu: Returns]]'' (2015), a sequel to ''Tanu Weds Manu'', in which she portrayed dual roles{{mdash}}she reprised the character of Tanuja from the original and also portrayed an aspiring athlete in it.<ref>{{cite news|last=Batra |first=Ankur |title=Tanu Weds Manu Season 2 : Kangana Ranaut in a double role |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Tanu-Weds-Manu-Season-2-Kangana-Ranaut-has-double-roles/articleshow/44780725.cms |access-date=12 October 2014 |work=The Times of India |date=11 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012043208/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Tanu-Weds-Manu-Season-2-Kangana-Ranaut-has-double-roles/articleshow/44780725.cms |archive-date=12 October 2014 }}</ref> In preparation for the latter role, she interacted with students of the [[University of Delhi]] in disguise; in addition, she attended workshops to learn the [[Haryanvi language]] and trained in the sport of [[triple jump]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut's double roles as Datto and Tanu have become a talking point |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kangana-Ranauts-double-roles-as-Datto-and-Tanu-have-become-a-talking-point/articleshow/47095724.cms |access-date=22 May 2015 |work=The Times of India |date=30 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503015503/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kangana-Ranauts-double-roles-as-Datto-and-Tanu-have-become-a-talking-point/articleshow/47095724.cms |archive-date= 3 May 2015 }}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics and Ranaut's performance was considered its prime asset.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goswami |first=Parismita |title='Tanu Weds Manu Returns' Review Round-up: A Must-Watch Film |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/tanu-weds-manu-returns-review-round-must-watch-film-633245 |newspaper=[[International Business Times]] |access-date=22 May 2014 |date=21 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522132641/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/tanu-weds-manu-returns-review-round-must-watch-film-633245 |archive-date=22 May 2015 }}</ref> Sweta Kaushal of ''Hindustan Times'' praised her for perfecting the body languages and accents of the two women, and Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV wrote that she "fleshes out this pair of distinct individuals with such energy and finesse that it becomes difficult at times to tell that it is the same actress playing the two roles".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaushal |first=Sweta |title=Tanu Weds Manu Returns review: Legend of our desi 'Batman' is a must-watch |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/tanu-weds-manu-returns-review-kangana-ranaut-madhavan-deepak-dobriyal-and-zeeshan-make-this-a-must-watch/article1-1349798.aspx |access-date=22 May 2015 |work=Hindustan Times |date=22 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523092222/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/tanu-weds-manu-returns-review-kangana-ranaut-madhavan-deepak-dobriyal-and-zeeshan-make-this-a-must-watch/article1-1349798.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Saibal |title=Tanu Weds Manu Returns Movie Review |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/tanu-weds-manu-returns-movie-review-1129 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=22 May 2014 |date=22 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522090047/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/tanu-weds-manu-returns-movie-review-1129 |archive-date=22 May 2015 }}</ref> ''Tanu Weds Manu Returns'' earned over {{INRConvert|2.4|b}} worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film featuring a female protagonist.<ref name="worldwide"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Tuteja |first=Joginder |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/8644 |title=Kangna Ranaut is the lone woman standing amidst Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh, Hrithik |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=8 July 2015 |access-date=8 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709035056/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/8644 |archive-date= 9 July 2015 }}</ref> Ranaut won a [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress|Filmfare Critics Award]] and a second consecutive National Film Award for Best Actress, and received an additional Best Actress nomination at Filmfare.<ref name="ff16">{{cite news |title=Full list of winners of the 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/full-list-of-winners-of-the-61st-britannia-filmfare-awards-11841.html |work=Filmfare |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=16 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316165017/http://www.filmfare.com/news/full-list-of-winners-of-the-61st-britannia-filmfare-awards-11841.html |archive-date=16 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nominations for the 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-61st-britannia-filmfare-awards-11809.html |work=Filmfare |date=11 January 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6gO32fdDO?url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-61st-britannia-filmfare-awards-11809.html |archive-date=30 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=63rd National Film Awards: List of winners |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-National-Film-Awards-List-of-winners/articleshow/51580133.cms |work=The Times of India |date=28 March 2013 |access-date=28 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6gO28YlM6?url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-National-Film-Awards-List-of-winners/articleshow/51580133.cms |archive-date=30 March 2016 }}</ref>

Also in 2015, Ranaut appeared in the romantic comedies ''[[I Love NY (2015 film)|I Love NY]]'' (a production delayed since 2013) and [[Nikhil Advani]]'s ''[[Katti Batti]]'', both of which failed at the box office.<ref name="journey"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-not-asked-to-promote-i-love-ny-779131 |title=Kangana Ranaut: Not Asked to Promote I Love NY |publisher=NDTV |date=7 July 2015 |access-date=10 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710062634/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-not-asked-to-promote-i-love-ny-779131 |archive-date=10 July 2015 }}</ref> The latter saw her play opposite [[Imran Khan (Bollywood actor)|Imran Khan]] as a cancer patient, a role that critic Uday Bhatia of ''[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]'' thought "lack[ed] the sort of definition she's had in her last few roles".<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhatia |first=Uday |title=Film Review: Katti Batti |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zGpNLi5vxxHFiQW4YA9SWP/Film-Review-Katti-Batti.html |access-date=24 March 2016 |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=6 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406023842/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zGpNLi5vxxHFiQW4YA9SWP/Film-Review-Katti-Batti.html |archive-date= 6 April 2016 }}</ref>

===2017–present: Professional expansion===

After a year-long absence from the screen, Ranaut starred as Julia, a 1940s heroine and stunt-woman in [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]'s romance ''[[Rangoon (2017 Hindi film)|Rangoon]]'' (2017), opposite [[Saif Ali Khan]] and [[Shahid Kapoor]]. Modelled on the actress [[Fearless Nadia]], Ranaut played the part as an "amalgamation of many characters" from that era, and was particularly drawn towards the "fierceness and sensuality" she found in her.<ref name="rangoon">{{cite news|last=Singh |first=Suhani |title=Kangana Ranaut on feud with Hrithik: My mother cried, asked me to stop. But that's no way to live |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-interview-rangoon-hrithik-roshan-shahid-kapoor/1/887920.html |access-date=1 March 2017 |work=India Today |date=21 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222030225/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-interview-rangoon-hrithik-roshan-shahid-kapoor/1/887920.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 }}</ref> She learned horse-riding and sword fighting and performed her own stunts.<ref name="rangoon"/> Media reports suggested a feud between Ranaut and Kapoor, and although they denied these, both stars publicly commented against the other.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ghosh |first=Samrudhi |title=Shahid ends fight with Rangoon co-star Kangana: How it all went down |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shahid-kapoor-kangana-ranaut-fight-rangoon-reason/1/889710.html |access-date=23 February 2017 |work=India Today |date=1 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224030035/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shahid-kapoor-kangana-ranaut-fight-rangoon-reason/1/889710.html |archive-date=24 February 2017 }}</ref> ''Rangoon'' received mixed reviews but Ranaut's performance was picked up for praise; in a typical review, Rohit Vats of ''Hindustan Times'' labelled Ranaut as "terrific", believing that the "poor script never lets Julia reach her pinnacle but [Ranaut] steals the show even with small scenes".<ref>{{cite news|last=Vats |first=Rohit |title=Rangoon movie review: Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor's ambitious film is deeply flawed |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/rangoon-movie-review-kangana-ranaut-saif-ali-khan-shahid-kapoor-s-film-is-a-misfire/story-um50QzAKVLc5CHmOmbaBbK.html |access-date=26 February 2017 |work=Hindustan Times |date=1 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224025059/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/rangoon-movie-review-kangana-ranaut-saif-ali-khan-shahid-kapoor-s-film-is-a-misfire/story-um50QzAKVLc5CHmOmbaBbK.html |archive-date=24 February 2017 }}</ref> The film failed to find a wide audience.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rangoon box office collection: Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor film is a flop|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/rangoon-box-office-collection-kangana-ranaut-shahid-kapoor-film-4552864/|access-date=6 March 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=3 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306211511/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/rangoon-box-office-collection-kangana-ranaut-shahid-kapoor-film-4552864/|archive-date=6 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, Ranaut starred in ''[[Simran (film)|Simran]]'', a crime comedy from the director [[Hansal Mehta]], in which she played a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] immigrant in America involved in criminal activities. She shared the screenwriting credit with [[Apurva Asrani]] for improvising several dialogues on set, but Asrani accused Ranaut and Mehta for not valuing his contributions to the script.<ref>{{cite news|last=Coutinhol |first=Natasha |title=Kangana Ranaut turns scriptwriter |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kangana-ranautturns-scriptwriter/articleshow/58374819.cms |access-date=11 May 2017 |work=The Times of India |date=26 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427042648/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kangana-ranautturns-scriptwriter/articleshow/58374819.cms |archive-date=27 April 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Goyal|first=Divya|title=Kangana Ranaut Gets Writing Credits For Simran. Actual Writer Is Upset|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kangana-ranaut-gets-writing-credits-for-simran-actual-writer-is-upset-1694327|access-date=13 April 2018|publisher=NDTV|date=16 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408044921/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kangana-ranaut-gets-writing-credits-for-simran-actual-writer-is-upset-1694327|archive-date=8 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Once again, the film received mixed reviews and failed commercially.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sen|first=Sushmita|title=Simran movie review roundup: Here's what Bollywood critics and celebs have to say about Kangana-starrer|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/simran-movie-review-roundup-heres-what-bollywood-critics-celebs-have-say-about-kangana-starrer-742062|access-date=13 April 2018|work=International Business Times|date=15 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921041600/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/simran-movie-review-roundup-heres-what-bollywood-critics-celebs-have-say-about-kangana-starrer-742062|archive-date=21 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Corenlius|first=Deborah|title=Fourth consecutive miss for Kangana|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/fourth-consecutive-miss-for-kangana/article19752899.ece|access-date=13 April 2018|work=The Hindu|date=25 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2019, Ranaut starred in ''[[Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi]]'', a biopic of the Indian freedom fighter [[Rani of Jhansi]], for which she also served as co-director when [[Krish (director)|Krish]] left the film after frequently clashing with the actress.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|title=Krish on directing Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika{{mdash}}The Queen of Jhansi|url=http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/krish-on-directing-kangana-ranaut-starrer-manikarnika-the-queen-of-jhansi/articleshow/58617059.cms|access-date=11 May 2017|work=Mumbai Mirror|date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523031343/http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/krish-on-directing-kangana-ranaut-starrer-manikarnika-the-queen-of-jhansi/articleshow/58617059.cms|archive-date=23 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut was always rude, said my version of Manikarnika looked like a Bhojpuri film, says director Krish|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-was-always-rude-told-me-manikarnika-looked-like-a-bhojpuri-film-director-krish-opens-up/story-LOjN8x7C8RB1aeFkKVQytK.html|access-date=26 January 2019|work=Hindustan Times|date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126125612/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-was-always-rude-told-me-manikarnika-looked-like-a-bhojpuri-film-director-krish-opens-up/story-LOjN8x7C8RB1aeFkKVQytK.html|archive-date=26 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Her co-star [[Sonu Sood]] also quit the production due to disagreements with her.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pathak|first=Ankur|title=Sonu Sood Refused To Work Under A Woman Director, Says Kangana Ranaut After Actor Walked Out 'Manikarnika'|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/08/31/sonu-sood-refused-to-work-under-a-woman-director-says-kangana-ranaut-after-actor-walked-out-of-the-film_a_23513755/|access-date=31 August 2018|work=HuffPost|date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831181328/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/08/31/sonu-sood-refused-to-work-under-a-woman-director-says-kangana-ranaut-after-actor-walked-out-of-the-film_a_23513755/|archive-date=31 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Ranaut subsequently reshot a significant portion of the film, due to which its production cost doubled.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pathak|first=Ankur|title=Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi's budget jumps to Rs. 125 crores due to reshoots|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/exclusive-manikarnika-queen-jhansis-budget-jumps-rs-125-crores-due-reshoots/|access-date=28 January 2019|website=Bollywood Hungama|date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129063957/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/exclusive-manikarnika-queen-jhansis-budget-jumps-rs-125-crores-due-reshoots/|archive-date=29 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Rajeev Masand considered the film to be "a deliberately simplistic film; an old-fashioned patriotic saga told in the broadest of strokes, and with full nationalist fervor", but he commended Ranaut for "command[ing] the screen with a fiery, arresting presence, never letting your attention wander away from her".<ref>{{cite news|last=Masand|first=Rajeev|title=Manikarnika Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut's Terrific Performance is the Film's Biggest Strength|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/manikarnika-movie-review-kangana-ranaut-extraordinary-performance-is-the-film-biggest-strength-2014415.html|access-date=28 January 2019|website=CNN-News18|date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128135557/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/manikarnika-movie-review-kangana-ranaut-extraordinary-performance-is-the-film-biggest-strength-2014415.html|archive-date=28 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It performed moderately well at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ek Ladki Ko Dekha... Flops - Manikarnika Decent Second Week|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4703|access-date=8 February 2019|website=Box Office India|date=8 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208142537/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4703|archive-date=8 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Top Twenty Stars First Quarter 219 - Ranveer Kangana Make Headway|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4699|access-date=8 February 2019|website=Box Office India|date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208142537/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4699|archive-date=8 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In her second film release of 2019, Ranaut reunited with Rajkummar Rao in the black comedy ''[[Judgementall Hai Kya]]'', in which she played a mentally ill woman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mental Hai Kya first look: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao return and this is nothing like Queen|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mental-hai-kya-first-look-kangana-ranaut-rajkummar-rao-return-and-this-is-nothing-like-queen/story-MeoGlKpccOh45vYP94g0XN.html|access-date=13 April 2018|work=Hindustan Times|date=5 March 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312175028/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/mental-hai-kya-first-look-kangana-ranaut-rajkummar-rao-return-and-this-is-nothing-like-queen/story-MeoGlKpccOh45vYP94g0XN.html|archive-date=12 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta considered her to be "terrific" in the part and found "connections between what's happening on screen and Ranaut's off-screen seemingly off-kilter joustings which routinely make so much news of the wrong kind."<ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |title=Judgementall Hai Kya movie review: Kangana hits all the notes perfectly |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/judgementall-hai-kya-movie-review-rating-kangana-rajkummar-5853085/ |access-date=26 July 2019 |work=The Indian Express |date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726150317/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/judgementall-hai-kya-movie-review-rating-kangana-rajkummar-5853085/ |archive-date=26 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> It underperformed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mirani |first=Vinod |title=Mission Mangal is a superhit, Batla House is a hit! |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mission-mangal-is-a-superhit-batla-house-is-a-hit/20190819.htm |access-date=21 August 2019 |website=Rediff.com |date=19 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820221321/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mission-mangal-is-a-superhit-batla-house-is-a-hit/20190819.htm |archive-date=20 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She received Filmfare Award nominations for her performances in both films.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations|title=Nominations for Filmfare Awards 2020|work=Filmfare|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203105210/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ranaut began the new decade with [[Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari]]'s sports film ''[[Panga (film)|Panga]]'' (2020). She played a young mother and homemaker who trains to stage a comeback in [[kabaddi]]. Rachel Saltz of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that the actress "elevates the movie, putting the story across better than the script can".<ref>{{cite news|last=Saltz|first=Rachel|title='Panga' Review: Put Me in Coach, I Have Life Experience|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/movies/panga-review.html|access-date=27 January 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=26 January 2020|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127014600/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/movies/panga-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It did not perform well commercially.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5878|title=Street Dancer 3 And Panga Second Friday Business|website=Box Office India|date=1 February 2020|access-date=1 February 2020|archive-date=10 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710141915/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5878|url-status=live}}</ref> Ranaut will next portray the politician [[Jayalalithaa]] in the trilingual biopic ''[[Thalaivi]]'' and star in the action film ''Dhaakad''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut to play Jayalalithaa in her next|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-to-play-jayalalithaa-in-her-biopic-5639187/|access-date=23 March 2019|work=The Indian Express|date=23 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323060026/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-to-play-jayalalithaa-in-her-biopic-5639187/|archive-date=23 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dhaakad teaser: Kangana Ranaut plays with fire, bullets in deadly new video|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/dhaakad-teaser-kangana-ranaut-plays-with-fire-bullets-in-deadly-new-video/story-F3AtK6iDRucET05KOLnEyK.html|access-date=27 January 2020|work=Hindustan Times|date=9 August 2019|archive-date=29 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129065928/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/dhaakad-teaser-kangana-ranaut-plays-with-fire-bullets-in-deadly-new-video/story-F3AtK6iDRucET05KOLnEyK.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ranaut has stated that her initial years in the film industry were marred with difficulties as she was unprepared to be an actress.<ref name="english"/> She was conscious of her poor command of the English language and struggled to "fit in".<ref name="english"/> In a 2013 interview with ''Daily News and Analysis'', Ranaut recollected:

<blockquote>"People in the industry treated me like I didn't deserve to be spoken to and I was some unwanted object. I couldn't speak English fluently and people made fun of me for that. So dealing with rejection became a part of life.&nbsp;... All that has taken a toll, I guess. I find it hard to deal with praise. Today, when people say that I have made it and made it on my own, I feel like locking up myself somewhere&nbsp;... It scares me."<ref name="treat">{{cite news|last=Naval-Shetye |first=Aakanksha |title=I was treated like a dog: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-was-treated-like-a-dog-kangana-ranaut-1806754 |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=3 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328055919/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-was-treated-like-a-dog-kangana-ranaut-1806754 |archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref>

During the struggle, Ranaut found support in the actor [[Aditya Pancholi]] and his wife [[Zarina Wahab]] and considered them her "family away from home".<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana denies rift with Sanaa|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/nm15/kangana-denies-rift-with-sanaa/article1-138388.aspx|access-date=28 March 2014|work=Hindustan Times|date=17 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154646/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/nm15/kangana-denies-rift-with-sanaa/article1-138388.aspx|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> She became embroiled in a well publicised scandal when the media speculated on the nature of her relationship with Pancholi.<ref>{{cite news|last=S. Pradhan |first=Bharathi |title=Father from hell |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090111/jsp/7days/story_10372698.jsp |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=11 January 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328120837/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090111/jsp/7days/story_10372698.jsp |archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref> She declined to speak about it openly, although she made several public appearances with him.<ref>{{cite news|title=The men in Kangana Ranaut's life |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/The-men-in-Kangana-Ranauts-life/photostory/31899643.cms |access-date=29 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402082104/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/The-men-in-Kangana-Ranauts-life/photostory/31899643.cms |archive-date= 2 April 2014 }}</ref> In 2007 it was reported that Ranaut had filed a police complaint against Pancholi for physically assaulting her under the influence of alcohol.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mishra |first=Nirmal |title=Aditya-Kangana row boils over |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-aditya-kangana-row-boils-over-1095893 |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=10 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328130520/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-aditya-kangana-row-boils-over-1095893 |archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana-Aditya still a couple? |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kangana-aditya-still-a-couple-1096253 |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=11 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328131522/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kangana-aditya-still-a-couple-1096253 |archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref> The following year Pancholi confirmed the affair in an interview, saying that he had been cohabiting with Ranaut in the past and accused her of owing him {{INRConvert|2.5|m}}.<ref name="money">{{cite news|last=K. Jha |first=Subhash |title=Gimme my money Kangna |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Gimme-my-money-Kangna/articleshow/3153586.cms |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=23 June 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410063633/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Gimme-my-money-Kangna/articleshow/3153586.cms |archive-date=10 April 2014 }}</ref> In response, Ranaut's spokesperson said that "after physically assaulting her in the middle of a road, he has no right to expect anything from her", adding that she had "already given {{INRConvert|5|m}} to [him] as a goodwill gesture".<ref name="money"/> Ranaut later said that the incident had left her "physically and mentally" damaged.<ref name="htinterview"/>

While filming ''Raaz: The Mystery Continues'' in 2008, Ranaut began a romantic relationship with co-star Adhyayan Suman.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ganguly |first=Prithwish |title=Here's one more 'Raaz' |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-here-s-one-more-raaz-1217188 |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=28 December 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328062408/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-here-s-one-more-raaz-1217188 |archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref> On Suman's insistence that he focus on his professional career, the couple separated the following year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Deshmukh |first=Ashwini |title=Kangana-Adhyayan split |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Kangana-Adhyayan-split/articleshow/4627838.cms |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=8 June 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614064143/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Kangana-Adhyayan-split/articleshow/4627838.cms |archive-date=14 June 2009 }}</ref> From 2010 to 2012, Ranaut was involved in a long-distance romance with Nicholas Lafferty, an English doctor;<ref name="marry">{{cite web|title=Kangana Ranaut: I don't believe in marriage |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/sex-and-relationships/kangana-ranaut-i-dont-believe-in-marriage_113078.html |access-date=28 March 2014 |publisher=Zee News |date=9 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410142439/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/sex-and-relationships/kangana-ranaut-i-dont-believe-in-marriage_113078.html |archive-date=10 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sharma |first=Garima |title=Kangna splits from her British boyfriend |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/cinema/Kangna-splits-from-her-British-boyfriend/articleshow/16279042.cms |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=6 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027212746/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/cinema/Kangna-splits-from-her-British-boyfriend/articleshow/16279042.cms |archive-date=27 October 2014 }}</ref> she described the relationship as "the most normal" she ever had, but the couple split amicably as she was not ready for marriage.<ref name="english"/><ref name="treat"/> She has since maintained that she will never get married,<ref name="english"/><ref name="marry"/> and has expressed a desire to not be bound by a relationship.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dam |first=Swagata |title=Kangna Ranaut: I can not be called single because I keep dating randomly here and there |url=http://www.magnamags.com/stardust/kangna-ranaut-i-can-not-be-called-single-because-i-keep-dating-randomly-here-and-there/863 |access-date=29 March 2014 |work=Stardust |date=29 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405100639/http://magnamags.com/stardust/kangna-ranaut-i-can-not-be-called-single-because-i-keep-dating-randomly-here-and-there/863 |archive-date= 5 April 2014 }}</ref> In 2016, [[Hrithik Roshan]], her co-star from ''Krrish 3'', filed a lawsuit against Ranaut accusing her of cyber stalking and harassment. Denying the charges, Ranaut filed a counter-charge against Roshan, claiming that his lawsuit was an attempt to cover-up their affair for the benefit of his divorce proceedings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baghel |first1=Sunil |last2=Lohana |first2=Avinash |title=Hrithik, Kangana face off gets ugly |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/Hrithik-Kangana-face-off-gets-ugly/articleshow/51416765.cms |access-date=16 March 2016 |work=Mumbai Mirror |date=16 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907090355/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/Hrithik-Kangana-face-off-gets-ugly/articleshow/51416765.cms |archive-date=7 September 2016 }}</ref> The case was closed later that year owing to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ghosh |first1=Devarsi |title=Hrithik-Kangana legal war comes to an end: Timeline of the battle |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hrithik-kangana-fight-affair-details-timeline/1/812885.html |access-date=16 February 2017 |work=India Today |date=17 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207075336/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hrithik-kangana-fight-affair-details-timeline/1/812885.html |archive-date= 7 February 2017}}</ref>

Ranaut lives in Mumbai with her sister Rangoli, who was the victim of an [[Acid throwing|acid attack]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shetty-Saha |first=Shubha |title=I want to retain the middle class in me: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/i-want-to-retain-the-middle-class-in-me-kangana-ranaut-637869 |access-date=29 March 2014 |publisher=NDTV |date=10 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909201007/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/i-want-to-retain-the-middle-class-in-me-kangana-ranaut-637869 |archive-date= 9 September 2014 }}</ref> She makes yearly visits to her hometown of Bhambla.<ref name="htinterview"/> A practicing [[Hindu]], Ranaut follows the teachings of the spiritual leader [[Swami Vivekananda]] and considers meditation to be "the highest form of worshipping God".<ref>{{cite news|last=Gupta |first=Priya |title=I would often break fast by eating a biscuit: Kangna |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/I-would-often-break-fast-by-eating-a-biscuit-Kangna/articleshow/24776379.cms |access-date=28 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=28 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410091416/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/I-would-often-break-fast-by-eating-a-biscuit-Kangna/articleshow/24776379.cms |archive-date=10 April 2014 }}</ref> She practices vegetarianism and was listed as "India's hottest vegetarian" in a poll conducted by [[PETA]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana Ranaut, Vidyut Jamwal named PETA's hottest vegetarians |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-and-vidyut-jamwal-named-peta-hottest-vegetarians/1/334531.html |access-date=29 March 2014 |work=India Today |date=5 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328234113/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-and-vidyut-jamwal-named-peta-hottest-vegetarians/1/334531.html |archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref> Since 2009 Ranaut has been studying the dance form of [[kathak]] from the Nateshwar Nritya Kala Mandir.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pinto |first=Rochelle |title=Kangana Ranaut's new website crashes on launch |url=http://www.vogue.in/content/kangana-ranauts-website |access-date=29 March 2014 |work=[[Vogue India]] |date=13 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916004031/http://www.vogue.in/content/kangana-ranauts-website |archive-date=16 September 2013 }}</ref> She has said that the technical process of filmmaking is of tremendous interest to her,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kangana Ranaut: Movie-making is like meditation for me |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-movie-making-is-like-meditation-for-me-427233 |access-date=29 March 2014 |publisher=NDTV |date=3 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527015139/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-movie-making-is-like-meditation-for-me-427233 |archive-date=27 May 2014 }}</ref> and to better her understanding of it Ranaut enrolled in a two-month screenplay writing course at the [[New York Film Academy]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gupta|first=Priya|title=Kangana at the New York Academy for her screenplay writing course|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-at-the-New-York-Academy-for-her-screenplay-writing-course/articleshow/28550661.cms|access-date=26 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711100259/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-at-the-New-York-Academy-for-her-screenplay-writing-course/articleshow/28550661.cms|archive-date=11 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Don't know if I deserve this stardom: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/dont-know-if-i-deserve-this-stardom-kangana-ranaut-1422393.html |access-date=26 March 2014 |work=[[Firstpost]] |date=6 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409035330/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/dont-know-if-i-deserve-this-stardom-kangana-ranaut-1422393.html |archive-date=9 April 2014 }}</ref> In an interview with ''Filmfare'' she said that despite her stardom, she wants to lead a normal life: "I don't want to lose my rights as a common person to learn and grow".<ref name="rejection"/>

==Public image==

In the book ''Acting Smart: Your Ticket to Showbiz'', [[Tisca Chopra]] describes Ranaut as a "free-spirited, original creative" person "who cannot really be slotted in a particular mould".<ref name="Chopra2014">{{cite book|last=Chopra |first=Tisca |title=Acting Smart: Your Ticket to Showbiz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LZtlAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT65 |year=2014 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers India |isbn=978-93-5136-204-3 |page=65 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922211921/http://books.google.com/books?id=LZtlAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT65 |archive-date=22 September 2014 }}</ref> Ranaut is particularly known for her forthrightness in expressing her opinions in public on issues ranging from film to feminism.<ref name="think"/><ref name="hornet">{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Sunaina|title=Kangana Ranaut: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest|url=http://old.tehelka.com/kangana-ranaut-the-girl-who-kicked-the-hornets-nest/|date=22 October 2013|access-date=2 June 2014|work=[[Tehelka]]}}</ref> A televised 2013 interview hosted by [[Anupama Chopra]] in which Ranaut spoke out against gender bias and nepotism in Bollywood went [[viral video|viral]] online, which led Sunaina Kumar of ''[[Tehelka]]'' to write: "In this age of cookie-cutter heroines with stock responses, Kangana Ranaut is refreshingly real and honest."<ref name="hornet"/> Ranaut had a public fallout with the filmmaker [[Karan Johar]] when she accused him of nepotism during a [[Koffee with Karan|chat show]] appearance in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhattacharya|first=Ananya|title=Nepotism 2.0 with Karan Johar: What happened since the N-Bomb on Kangana Ranaut at IIFA 2017|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/nepotism-karan-johar-kangana-ranaut-iifa-2017-1025198-2017-07-19|date=19 July 2017|access-date=11 July 2018|work=India Today|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711100256/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/nepotism-karan-johar-kangana-ranaut-iifa-2017-1025198-2017-07-19|archive-date=11 July 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> She has since continued to advocate against nepotism in the industry,<ref>{{Cite web|last=World|first=Republic|title=Kangana Ranaut reveals 'Movie Mafia' claims outsiders aren't as good looking as star kids|url=https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/bollywood-news/kangana-ranaut-instagram-movie-mafia-nepotism-in-bollywood|access-date=2020-07-20|website=Republic World|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012034017/https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/bollywood-news/kangana-ranaut-instagram-movie-mafia-nepotism-in-bollywood.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kangana Ranaut Feels Her Nepotism Comment 'Worked As A Catalyst'|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kangana-ranaut-feels-her-nepotism-comment-worked-as-a-catalyst-1825392|access-date=2020-07-20|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615215306/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kangana-ranaut-feels-her-nepotism-comment-worked-as-a-catalyst-1825392|url-status=live}}</ref> more so after the death of [[Sushant Singh Rajput]], when she accused influential film professionals of having "systematically sabotaged" his career.<ref name="BBC2020">{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Geeta |title=Kangana Ranaut: The star on a warpath with Bollywood |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54321714 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=BBC News |date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Ranaut identifies with right-wing ideologies,<ref name="Dasgupta">{{cite news |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Piyasree |title=Kangana Speaks Like Any Right-Wing Politician, But Why Is It Extra Disappointing? |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/kangana-speaks-like-any-right-wing-politician-but-why-is-it-extra-disappointing_in_5f63934bc5b618455868224d |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=HuffPost |date=18 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kapoor |first1=Mugdha |title=Netizens massively troll Kangana Ranaut for sharing bikini photos of Rihanna |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-netizens-massively-troll-kangana-ranaut-for-sharing-bikini-photos-of-rihanna-calling-her-porn-star-2873117 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=DNA India |date=4 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref> and is a supporter of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengar |first1=Shweta |title=Abuse, Mockery & Slut-Shaming: What Women Faced For Speaking Out Over Farmers' Protests |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/abuse-mockery-slut-shaming-what-women-face-for-speaking-out-over-farmers-protests-533579.html#highlight_37827 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=IndiaTimes |publisher=The Times Group |date=4 February 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhagat |first1=Shalini Venugopal |title=Despite Crises, India Fixes Its Gaze on a Bollywood Tragedy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/03/world/asia/india-bollywood-sushant-singh-rajput.html |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=3 October 2020}}</ref> An active commenter on social media, such as Twitter, Ranaut often expresses political views,<ref name="Dasgupta"/> speaks of her religious affiliation and activity,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Majumder |first1=Abhijit |title=Kangana Ranaut is not a loose cannon, but a political silver bullet |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/kangana-ranaut-is-not-a-loose-cannon-but-a-political-silver-bullet-8805761.html |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=11 September 2020}}</ref> and voices criticism of liberals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=Scroll |title=Kangana Ranaut is in the eye of the storm once again, this time for her remarks on India's liberals |url=https://scroll.in/reel/889974/kangana-ranaut-is-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-once-again-this-time-for-her-remarks-on-indias-liberals |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Scroll.in |date=10 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="BBC2020"/> Ranaut's direct ways and confrontational manner, as evidenced in several well-reported public clashes with colleagues around her views, have attracted some media scrutiny.<ref name="BBC2020"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kashyap |first1=Archita |title=Why Kangana Ranaut's curiously timed rants against fellow Bollywood stars are getting tiresome |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/why-kangana-ranauts-curiously-timed-rants-against-fellow-bollywood-stars-are-getting-tiresome-7807951.html |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=21 December 2019}}</ref> For instance, she called another actress [[Sonam Kapoor]] a "mafia bimbo", [[Urmila Matondkar]] a "soft-porn star",<ref name="BBC2021"/> [[Rhea Chakraborty]] a "small time druggie",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sona-mohapatra-slams-kangana-ranaut-for-calling-rhea-chakraborty-small-time-druggie-says-it-s-a-casteist-slur/story-HZMHw4ast8rqRxJEAtgDLM.html |title=Sona Mohapatra slams Kangana Ranaut for calling Rhea Chakraborty ‘small time druggie’, says it’s a ‘casteist slur’ |website=Hindustan Times |date=12 September 2020 }}</ref> and mocked [[Deepika Padukone]], when she talked about her fight with depression.<ref name="BBC2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56977861 |title=Kangana Ranaut: Twitter suspends Bollywood actress account |website=BBC News |date=4 May 2021 }}</ref>

Analysing Ranaut's career, the journalist Parmita Uniyal, in 2014, noted that she "loves to challenge herself with tricky roles and manages to add a different dimension to her character every time."<ref name="hearts"/> A reviewer for Rediff.com described her as a "director's actress" who is susceptible to both "shine and crumble under the right/wrong guidance".<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Movies of Kangna Ranaut |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-best-movies-of-kangna-ranaut/20131105.htm#1 |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=2 June 2014 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616180128/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-best-movies-of-kangna-ranaut/20131105.htm |archive-date=16 June 2014 }}</ref> Anand L Rai (the director of ''Tanu Weds Manu'') says that Ranaut actively pursues roles in which she can "work in her own space and not become a mere prop in the male-dominated Bollywood".<ref name="hearts"/> Alongside actress [[Vidya Balan]], Ranaut has been credited for spearheading a movement that breaks stereotypes of a Hindi film heroine by playing the protagonist in films not starring a well-known male star.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chatterjee|first=Saibal|title=Power actors: Marking a clear shift in gender dynamics, Bollywood embraces films spearheaded by female protagonists|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140323/spectrum/enter1.htm|date=23 March 2014|access-date=2 June 2014|work=The Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051513/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140323/spectrum/enter1.htm|archive-date=5 June 2014 }}</ref> Following the success of ''Queen'' and ''Tanu Weds Manu Returns'', ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' labelled her as "one of the most bankable actresses in the industry", and ''Daily News and Analysis'' reported that she had emerged as one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kapoor |first=Reena |title=Has Kangana Ranaut doubled her fees? |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150720/entertainment-bollywood/article/has-kangana-doubled-her-fees |date=20 July 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |work=Deccan Chronicle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310112713/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150720/entertainment-bollywood/article/has-kangana-doubled-her-fees |archive-date=10 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kangana or Deepika? Who is the highest paid actress? |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kangana-or-deepika-who-is-the-highest-paid-actress-2116583 |date=21 August 2015 |access-date=26 January 2016 |work=Daily News and Analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003020721/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kangana-or-deepika-who-is-the-highest-paid-actress-2116583 |archive-date= 3 October 2015 }}</ref> Ranaut was featured by ''[[Forbes India]]'' in their annual [[Forbes Celebrity 100|Celebrity 100]] list in 2012, 2014–2017, and 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2016/kangana-ranaut/1587/115 |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=11 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209152212/http://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2016/kangana-ranaut/1587/115 |archive-date=9 December 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2017 Celebrity 100 |url=http://www.forbesindia.com/lists/2017-celebrity-100/1665/all |work=Forbes |access-date=11 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711185628/http://www.forbesindia.com/lists/2017-celebrity-100/1665/all |archive-date=11 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.forbesindia.com/lists/2019-celebrity-100/1819/all |title=2019 Celebrity 100 |work=Forbes India |access-date=20 December 2018 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219063445/http://www.forbesindia.com/lists/2019-celebrity-100/1819/all |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, ''Forbes'' calculated her annual salary to be {{INRConvert|320|m}}, one of the highest amongst actresses in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=2017 Forbes India Celebrity 100: Meet the 30 highest-earning celebrities|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/aperture/2017-celebrity-100/2017-forbes-india-celebrity-100-meet-the-30-highestearning-celebrities/48923/26#photo|date=22 December 2017|access-date=11 February 2018|work=Forbes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127003820/http://www.forbesindia.com/aperture/2017-celebrity-100/2017-forbes-india-celebrity-100-meet-the-30-highestearning-celebrities/48923/26#photo|archive-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Also that year, she was one of two actresses to feature in ''The Indian Express''{{'}}s listing of the most powerful Indians.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Indian Express power list 2017: Khans to Kangana Ranaut, all Bollywood names in the top 100 most powerful Indians list|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-indian-express-power-list-2017-kangana-ranaut-salman-khan-aamir-khan-bollywood-top-100-most-powerful-indians-4591240/|work=The Indian Express|date=29 March 2018|access-date=11 July 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912190959/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-indian-express-power-list-2017-kangana-ranaut-salman-khan-aamir-khan-bollywood-top-100-most-powerful-indians-4591240/|archive-date=12 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Ranaut has been cited as a [[sex symbol]] and style icon in India.<ref name="Rao20">{{cite book |last1=Rao |first1=Maithili |editor1-last=Viswamohan |editor1-first=Aysha Iqbal |editor2-last=Wilkinson |editor2-first=Clare M. |title=Stardom in Contemporary Hindi Cinema: Celebrity and Fame in Globalized Times |date=January 2020 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-981-15-0191-3 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MfbHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA214 |language=en |chapter=Waif to Warrior—Kangana Ranaut|pages=215–228}}</ref><ref name="gq">{{cite news|last=Besseling |first=Dave |title=The Reluctant Exhibitionist |url=http://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/personalities/cover-story-reluctant-exhibitionist-kangana-ranaut/ |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=2 June 2014 |work=[[GQ]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027030736/http://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/personalities/cover-story-reluctant-exhibitionist-kangana-ranaut |archive-date=27 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Loynmoon |first1=Karishma |title=Kangana Ranaut's fashion evolution |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/kangana-ranauts-fashion-evolution-7771-1.html |access-date=4 December 2020 |work=Filmfare |publisher=The Times Group |date=21 November 2014 |language=en}}</ref> Analysing Ranaut's off-screen persona, ''Hindustan Times'' published that she was initially written off by Indian journalists due to her "funny accent" and the negative publicity generated by her troubled relationships; however, her defining fashion choices and her unconventional film roles eventually established her as a star.<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh |first=Nanki |title=Clueless why I deserve this stardom: Kangana Ranaut |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/clueless-why-i-deserve-this-stardom-kangana-ranaut/story-SQLPiayOBdjc7vn1H4UYQP.html |date=14 February 2014 |access-date=2 June 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510084014/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/clueless-why-i-deserve-this-stardom-kangana-ranaut/story-SQLPiayOBdjc7vn1H4UYQP.html |archive-date=10 May 2017 }}</ref> Ranaut has frequently featured in listings of the most attractive and stylish celebrities in India. She ranked among the top 10 on ''The Times of India''{{'}}s listing of the "Most Desirable Woman" in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Deepika-Padukone-2013s-Most-desirable-woman/articleshow/35726757.cms? |title=Deepika Padukone: 2013's Most desirable woman |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=31 May 2014 |date=30 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531081711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Deepika-Padukone-2013s-Most-desirable-woman/articleshow/35726757.cms |archive-date=31 May 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-29/news-interviews/38903243_1_entrant-desirable-women-desirable-men|title=Times top 50 Most Desirable Women of 2012|access-date=19 July 2013|date=29 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019103638/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-29/news-interviews/38903243_1_entrant-desirable-women-desirable-men|archive-date=19 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Priyanka-Chopra-The-Most-Desirable-woman-of-2015/articleshow/52187930.cms |title=Priyanka Chopra: The Most Desirable woman of 2015 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=10 May 2016 |date=10 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511112201/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Priyanka-Chopra-The-Most-Desirable-woman-of-2015/articleshow/52187930.cms |archive-date=11 May 2016 }}</ref> Ranaut was featured on ''[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]]''{{'}}s listing of the most powerful women of 2010 and in 2012 she was named the "Best Dressed Personality" by the Indian edition of ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Verve's 50 Power Women 2010 |url=http://www.verveonline.com/86/people/powerwomen04.shtml |journal=[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]] |volume=18 |issue=6 |date=June 2010 |access-date=5 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219054927/http://www.verveonline.com/86/people/powerwomen04.shtml |archive-date=19 December 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chandra|first=Anjali|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-Ranaut-tops-People-magazines-best-dressed/articleshow/17100833.cms|title=Kangana Ranaut tops People magazine's best dressed|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2 June 2014|date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031005805/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Kangana-Ranaut-tops-People-magazines-best-dressed/articleshow/17100833.cms|archive-date=31 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Ranaut featured as one of the best-dressed women celebrities by ''[[Vogue India]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=India's best-dressed women 2013! |url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-glamour-vogue-indias-best-dressed-women-2013/20130626.htm#1 |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=2 June 2014 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200410/http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-glamour-vogue-indias-best-dressed-women-2013/20130626.htm |archive-date= 2 June 2014 }}</ref> The journalist Jagmeeta Thind Joy credits the actress for her "quirky, almost non-Bollywood take on personal style", adding that she "likes to shock and awe with her choices".<ref name="swan"/> She has collaborated with the fashion brand [[Bestseller (company)#Brands|Vero Moda]] to launch two clothing lines for the company, named Marquee and Venice Cruise, in 2015 and 2016, respectively.<ref>{{cite news|last=Minhas |first=Anmol |url=http://www.cosmopolitan.in/fashion/news/a1552/vero-modas-marquee-by-kangana-ranaut/ |title=Vero Moda's Marquee By Kangana Ranaut |work=Cosmopolitan |access-date=18 May 2016 |date=1 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601222720/http://www.cosmopolitan.in/fashion/news/a1552/vero-modas-marquee-by-kangana-ranaut/ |archive-date= 1 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/kangana-ranaut-designs-venice-inspired-line-2805694/ |title=Kangana Ranaut designs Venice-inspired line |work=The Indian Express |access-date=18 May 2016 |date=18 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519120441/http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/kangana-ranaut-designs-venice-inspired-line-2805694/ |archive-date=19 May 2016 }}</ref>

In May 2021, Twitter permanently suspended Ranaut's account as per the company's Abusive Behaviour policy and Hateful Conduct policy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kangana Ranaut Permanently Removed From Twitter After Controversial Post|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kangana-ranaut-twitter-account-suspended-2427696|access-date=2021-05-04|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> According to the Twitter Spokesperson, Ranaut was found to be involved in a series of harmful tweets which had the potential to inflict offline harm.<ref>{{Cite web|last=DJKamalMustafaOnline|date=2021-05-04|title=Kangana Ranaut Permanently Suspended From Twitter|url=https://emeatribune.uk/kangana-ranaut-twitter-permanently-suspended-twitter-spokesperson-says/|access-date=2021-05-04|website=Latest Breaking News From US, Europe & World|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-04|title=Kangana Ranaut's Twitter account 'permanently suspended' after incendiary tweets violating 'Hateful Conduct' policy|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-s-twitter-account-suspended-after-incendiary-tweets-on-west-bengal-election-101620111641861.html|access-date=2021-05-04|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> She later commneted on the ban, by saying: "Twitter has only proved my point they're Americans & by birth, a white person feels entitled to enslave a brown person, they want to tell you what to think, speak or do. I have many platforms I can use to raise my voice, including my own art in the form of cinema".<ref>{{cite tweet |user=ANI |title=Twitter has only proved my point they're Americans & by birth, a white person feels entitled to enslave a brown person |number=1389490986095501314 |date=4 May 2021 }}</ref>

Ranaut has been the recipient of four [[National Film Awards]]: One [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] award for ''Fashion'' (2008) and three [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] awards, one each for ''Queen'' (2014) and ''Tanu Weds Manu Returns'' (2015) and a third one for her performances in both ''Manikarnika, the Queen of Jhansi'' (2019) and ''Panga'' (2020). She has also won four [[Filmfare Awards]]: [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut|Best Female Debut]] for ''Gangster'' (2006), [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''Fashion'', [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for ''Queen'', and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress – Critics]] for ''Tanu Weds Manu Returns''.<ref name="bio"/><ref name="ff15"/><ref name="ff16"/> In 2020, Ranaut was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], the [[Indian honours system|fourth highest civilian]] award, by the [[Government of India]], for her contribution to arts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/2020AwardeesList.pdf|title=Press Note|access-date=25 January 2020|date=25 January 2020|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]|archive-date=22 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522072654/https://padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/2020AwardeesList.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/padma-shri-awards-2020-this-is-what-kangana-ranaut-karan-johar-adnan-sami-and-others-have-to-say-on-being-honoured-with-the-prestigious-awards/articleshow/73628341.cms|title=Padma Shri Awards 2020: This is what Kangana Ranaut, Karan Johar, Adnan Sami and others have to say on being honoured with the prestigious awards|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=1 February 2020|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126160439/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/padma-shri-awards-2020-this-is-what-kangana-ranaut-karan-johar-adnan-sami-and-others-have-to-say-on-being-honoured-with-the-prestigious-awards/articleshow/73628341.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Joshi|first=Raunak|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/govt-to-honour-kangana-ranaut-kjo-ekta-kapoor-with-padma-shri-overwhelmed-celebs-respond/articleshow/73627592.cms|title=Govt to honour Kangana Ranaut, KJo & Ekta Kapoor with Padma Shri; overwhelmed celebs respond|date=26 January 2020|access-date=13 October 2020|website=Economics Times}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[List of Indian film actresses]]

==Notes==

{{notes | notes = {{efn | name = A | Geetanjali Nagpal was a controversial model in the 1990s whose substance abuse led her to the streets of [[Delhi]]. The DCW, who had represented her during court proceedings and helped her recovery through [[Drug rehabilitation|rehabilitation]], was concerned that a negative depiction of her life would "affect her physical or mental health adversely".<ref>{{cite news|last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |title=Flashback for a model who fell off the catwalk |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/flashback-for-a-model-who-fell-off-the-catwalk-980267.html |access-date=22 March 2014 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=31 October 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219233036/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/flashback-for-a-model-who-fell-off-the-catwalk-980267.html |archive-date=19 December 2013 }}</ref> }} }}

==References==

==External links==

{{commons category|Kangana Ranaut}}

* {{official website|http://officialkanganaranaut.com}}

* {{IMDb person}}

{{FilmfareAwardBestActress 2001-2020}}

{{FilmfareAwardBestSupportingActress 2001-2020}}