Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut reveals that she rejected films featuring Akshay Kumarm Ranbir Kapoor and the three Khans as the female roles were limited
Kangana Ranaut recently opened up about her decision to turn down film offers starring some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Ranbir Kapoor and Akshay Kumar. Known for her strong stance on various issues, Kangana revealed that her choice not to work with these A-lister actors, as well as the Khans—Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan—was a deliberate and conscious one. She explained that this decision was driven by her desire to prove that actresses can carve out successful careers in Bollywood without relying on the industry’s most prominent male stars.
During a candid discussion on a podcast with Raj Shamani, Kangana shared her thoughts on the typical roles offered to women in films led by these top actors. She pointed out that such films often reduce female characters to a handful of scenes and a couple of songs, something she found unappealing. Despite her positive experiences with the Khans, who she noted had always treated her well, the Manikarnika star decided to decline their films because she didn’t want to play a stereotypical role with little substance. She emphasized that her refusal to work with these leading men was a statement of independence and a way to set a precedent for future generations of actresses.
Kangana highlighted her belief that success in Bollywood does not depend on working with the industry’s male powerhouses. She firmly stated that no Khan, Kumar, or Kapoor could make an actress successful; rather, it was possible for a woman to achieve top status in the industry on her own terms. By turning down films with these actors, Kangana aimed to challenge the notion that a heroine’s success is tied to the presence of a male superstar. She wanted to demonstrate that an actress could be successful independently, without needing to conform to the industry’s usual dynamics.