Kangana Ranaut Says She Rejected Akshay Kumar Film For ‘Integrity Of Women’: ‘You Have A Daughter’

Kangana Ranaut, known for her bold and unapologetic personality, is once again in the spotlight as she promotes her upcoming film Emergency. During a recent conversation, she made some striking revelations about the choices she has made in her career, particularly concerning the big names in Bollywood.

Kangana shared that she has turned down films with top-tier actors like Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. Her decision wasn’t based on personal issues with these stars but rather on the type of roles she was being offered. She explained that she isn’t interested in being part of films where female characters are relegated to the background, with only a few scenes and songs to their credit. This perspective highlights her commitment to ensuring that women have substantial roles in films, reflecting the importance of integrity and meaningful representation.

One of the most talked-about moments from her recent disclosures is when she mentioned turning down an offer from the acclaimed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He approached her for a dance number, a genre of performance often celebrated in Indian cinema. However, Kangana declined the offer because it didn’t align with her vision for her career, where she seeks roles that offer depth and significance rather than just glamor.

Kangana didn’t stop there; she also discussed how Akshay Kumar, another major Bollywood star, offered her several roles in his films, including a part in Singh Is Bliing. Despite the star power and potential box-office success that comes with working with Akshay Kumar, Kangana chose to say no. She recalled a conversation with Akshay where he asked her why she was declining his offers. Her response was candid: she wanted to maintain integrity in her choices as an actress, and she emphasized the importance of setting an example for women, especially considering that Akshay has a daughter. Kangana’s refusal was not a critique of Akshay personally but rather a stand against the type of roles typically offered to women in mainstream Bollywood films.

In the same discussion, Kangana elaborated on her reasons for turning down films with the Khans—Salman, Shah Rukh, and Aamir. She was quick to clarify that while all the Khans have treated her with kindness and respect, she has consistently declined their films because they often follow a template that offers minimal scope for female characters. According to her, these roles don’t allow women to shine as the protagonists of their own stories. Instead, they are often reduced to supporting characters, with limited screen time and significance. This, she believes, is not the path she wants to take in her career. By rejecting such roles, Kangana aims to establish herself as an A-list actress who doesn’t rely on the Khans to maintain her status in the industry.

Kangana’s stance is part of a broader narrative she has been building over the years—one where she refuses to conform to the traditional expectations of female actors in Bollywood. Her choices reflect a desire to break away from the industry’s norms and carve out a space where women can be seen as equals to their male counterparts, both in terms of the roles they play and the respect they command.

Kangana Ranaut, who is not just an actress but also a politician, currently serving as the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, continues to push boundaries in both her career and personal life. She is set to direct and star in Emergency, a film that is likely to further cement her reputation as one of the most daring and independent voices in Indian cinema.

Her decision to turn down films with big names in the industry underscores her commitment to redefining the role of women in Bollywood. It’s a powerful statement about the kind of legacy she wants to leave behind—one where women are no longer just the backdrop to male-driven stories but are the central figures in their own narratives. With Emergency on the horizon, Kangana is poised to continue her journey of challenging the status quo and creating impactful cinema that resonates with audiences and inspires future generations of female actors.