Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has established herself as a public figure who creates controversy, and her industry presence automatically draws attention when she speaks. The actor-turned-politician who stands against both nepotism and Bollywood political practices received media attention after delivering an intense response at a public event in Mumbai.
Candid Moments at Rising Bharat Summit
At the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, Kangana participated in a rapid-fire round, which quickly became the most popular part of the event. When asked to choose the better director among Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, and Aditya Chopra, Kangana declined to pick any of them. She explained that her filmmaking and acting standards required her to reject the choices that were given to her. She delivered the statement in her usual direct manner. The statement immediately attracted attention while it started new discussions about her ongoing disputes with major Bollywood celebrities.
Views on Bollywood Peers
The discussion progressed to a new topic, which examined the relationships between actors and their industry-based friendships. Kangana laughed when asked to choose her preferred friend between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan and Aamir Khan because she believed they had not yet developed their friendship with her. She described Salman Khan as “quite cool” while confirming his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment business. Her performance assessment of younger actors led her to select Ananya Panday as the superior actor while choosing Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan as her competitors, which astonished many people and provided more insight into her straightforward dialogue.
A History of Bollywood Feuds
Kangana’s subtle dig at the trio of directors shows her ongoing battle against Bollywood authority, which she has fought ever since she began her career. Her public disagreement with Karan Johar dates back to 2017, when she called him the flag-bearer of nepotism and accused the industry of favoring insiders over outsiders. She has continuously criticized Hindi cinema for its deep-rooted nepotism and groupism while presenting herself as an independent artist who achieved success without any help from powerful industry groups.
Balancing Industry Critique with Personal Ambitions
Beyond the sharp remarks, Kangana also spoke about her professional journey and ambitions. She hinted at potential Hollywood projects, suggesting that international opportunities will remain open until the right script and appropriate timing become available. She highlighted the need for artistic work to create strong audience responses because it should lead to important discussions instead of being completely rejected. Her comments once again reinforced her belief that cinema must challenge audiences and spark meaningful debate.
Industry Reacts and Social Media Buzz
As expected, Kangana’s comments became a trending topic on social media platforms, which generated mixed responses from the audience. Her supporters commended her for expressing her views, while her critics said her statements would worsen the existing conflicts that exist in the industry. Regardless of where one stands, the summit demonstrated that Kangana had maintained her status as one of Bollywood’s biggest controversial figures who can create media attention through her words.
Media’s Role in Amplifying the Controversy
Interestingly, the media’s influence on narrative creation is tested by these specific moments, which show their power to shape stories. Kangana is required to provide her views on specific public figures whom she has previously condemned during rapid-fire segments that seek quick viral content. The question arises whether the questions have been constructed to induce extreme reactions, which would result in media coverage through contentious reports. The current media environment utilizes celebrity disputes to achieve maximum visibility because digital platforms reward user interaction and online content consumption.
