Verve’s Power Women 2015: Kangana Ranaut

This model-turned-actor, who seemed to slip under the radar during her early years in the industry, has now very quickly turned into a national treasure following the stupendous success of her 2014 film, Queen. Over and above her acting prowess, Kangana Ranaut is also quite famous for her very quotable quotes and strong opinions, especially her detestation of gender disparity. This year, the tough cookie won her second National Film Award, bagging the title of Best Actress at the 62nd National Film Awards. She’s back on the big screen, as strong as ever, with Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

BEING SELF-ASSURED: “As a child, I was a different kind of kid. I was overtly confident. My father would get angry with the kind of confidence that I showed. I was perhaps born that way. So, I never had any issues when people ridiculed me for being a certain way.”

ON POWER: “Power is all about having power or control over yourself — your goals, your decisions, your own life. I think that is a lot more difficult than having power over others.”

MULTIFACETED PERSONALITY: “I really fluctuate from being a 10-year-old to a 100-year-old. I can be mature and very childish at the same time!”

EXPECTATIONS: “After Queen and Revolver Rani, audience expectations have gone up. But more than that, my own expectations from myself have increased. I want to break the mould. I would like to do more of writing, perhaps co-direct a film.”