Kangna doesn’t want to be just a lucky mascot

Back from London,where she was shooting for Tezz Kangna Ranaut is fuelled with a desire to learn and discover more as she says.

Written by Geety Sahgal

Mumbai | November 7, 2010 12:31 PM IST

4 min read

Kangna Ranaut is on a roll with seven films in her kitty. Back from London where she was shooting for Priyadarshans Tez,the lissome actress shares her desire to play diverse roles.

She has enjoyed success in her short career span of four years in haunting and heartbreaking roles. But after Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and Knock Out,in which she played a yesteryear actress and a TV journalist respectively,Kangna Ranaut is fuelled with a desire to learn and discover more as she says.

After films like Gangster,Life In A… Metro and Fashion,I was getting stuck playing depressed and edgy characters,and was very keen to change this image. Playing the romantic Rehana in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai was a fresh change. As for Knock Out,I found the whole idea and approach very different. We dont make films like this any more. It was a terse subject without music,lovemaking or romance and the heroine wearing one costume throughout the film! says Kangna,adding that even the shooting process was interesting as she got to learn about guns and new technology because of the boy gang comprising Mani Shankar,Sanjay Dutt and Irrfan.

Now she is in the midst of a lot of films and her onscreen parts are getting more interesting with each film. In Anees Bazmees No Problem,Manu Weds Tanu,Indra Kumars Double Dhamaal and Rohit Dhawan’s Rascals,she will be seen enacting light roles for the first time!

I am pretty excited about doing comedy,a genre I have never attempted before. Like in Manu Weds Tanu,I play a girl who thinks she’s the most beautiful person in the world. She keeps looking at herself in the mirror,and ridicules beauty pageant winners sniggering that shes more beautiful than them. It was fun because it was the first time I was part of a light film. Comedy is a different ball-game altogether and the only actresses who were fab in these roles were Sridevi,Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla! I think I have done a reasonably good job,but the audience will give the final verdict when the film releases, she smiles adding that she is also upbeat about being part of Abhinay Deos edge-of-the-seat thriller Game,Priyadarshans action-thriller Tez and Rajkumar Santoshis action-packed Power.

Physically too,the nubile actress from Himachal Pradesh has transformed from a cute,curly-haired,shy girl from the hills to a beautiful and confident woman of today. My makeover over the last few years has been drastic. From 48 kilos,I am now a more voluptuous 60 kilos and my long curls have been replaced by short,straight,hair. When I look into the mirror I wonder if it is me, she laughs pointing out to her fuller body!

Kangna,who won a National Award last year in the best supporting actress category for her role in Fashion,is irked that rather than being referred to as a talented actress she is talked about as a lucky mascot because of her successful films like Gangster,Life In A…Metro,Raaz- The Mystery Continues,Fashion and now Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

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I’ve heard people say: Take her in your film because she is lucky. Is that why you want to take me? I wish they would refer to my talent, she sighs,as she readies herself for a promotional photo- shoot for No Problem,which releases this December.