Kangana Ranaut’s entry into Bollywood wasn’t a straightforward path, as she revealed in a recent interview with The Lallantop. During the conversation, Kangana recounted an intriguing episode related to her breakout role in the film Gangster.
Initially, Kangana had auditioned for the part that was intended for her, but the casting process took an unexpected turn. Despite her strong audition, Mahesh Bhatt, the film’s producer, felt that Kangana was too young for the intense role. As a result, she was put on hold, and Chitrangada Singh was considered as a potential replacement.
Kangana shared her audition experience in Hindi, explaining, “Anurag Basu, who had recently directed the successful Murder (2004), was on the lookout for a fresh face for his new project. I had been actively auditioning and went to their Juhu studio. Anurag reviewed my photos and asked me to perform a series of tasks, including a drunk scene, a crying scene, and delivering a few dialogues. After the audition, I went home and awaited further news.”
She continued, “A few days later, I was informed by Anurag that I had been chosen for the role. However, shortly after, he called to let me know that Mahesh Bhatt had doubts about my suitability due to my age. Chitrangada Singh was then cast. But, due to some issues with her, the role eventually came back to me.”
Directed by Anurag Basu, Gangster also featured Shiney Ahuja and Emraan Hashmi. The film not only became a surprise success but also earned Kangana the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Following Gangster, Kangana’s career blossomed with roles in films like Woh Lamhe and Life In a Metro , culminating in her acclaimed performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion , which earned her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Kangana is now gearing up for her next big project, Emergency, a film she has directed, co-produced, and written. It also stars Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik. Originally set for a September 6 release, the film’s premiere has been delayed.
This turn of events illustrates how the unpredictable nature of the film industry can sometimes lead to fortuitous outcomes, with Kangana Ranaut’s career benefiting from a twist of fate.
