Director

Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut burst onto Bollywood in 2006 with *Gangster*, earning a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut and immediately establishing herself as an actress who could nail emotionally complex, unconventional characters. Over the next decade, she delivered powerhouse performances in films like *Fashion*, *Woh Lamhe*, and *Tanu Weds Manu*, collecting four National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards along the way. The turning point came with *Queen* (2014) and *Tanu Weds Manu Returns* (2015), where back-to-back National Film Award wins for Best Actress proved she was box office gold and could carry films as the lead. Her work has earned her recognition as one of Bollywood's most respected talents, even scoring India's fourth-highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri, in 2020. What sets Kangana apart is her commitment to telling stories centered on fierce, independent women who refuse to fit into boxes—a refreshing shift in an industry obsessed with conventional heroines. Her directorial ventures showcase the same fearlessness, bringing narratives to screen that challenge the status quo and spark real conversations. Beyond acting, she's expanded her influence as a filmmaker and recently stepped into politics, becoming a Member of Parliament. Whether she's on screen or behind the camera, Kangana continues to push boundaries and remind us why she's one of Bollywood's most polarizing, talked-about, and undeniably talented figures.