Kangana Ranaut after National Awards

Kangna Ranaut’s movie journey is only three years old. But with a National Award already in her kitty, it looks like a promising ride ahead

Did you ever expect to get a National Award so early in your career?
I have got an award every year ever since I made my debut. But, yes the National Award was a surprise and an honour. I will always cherish it.

Is there any person to whom you would like to dedicate your award?
It would definitely be the makers of my first film, Gangster, because were it not for that film I would not have been here. Giving a break to a small-town girl with no background of films or experience was a big risk, and I am grateful to them for that.

For the first time you will be seen shaking a leg in two films, No Problem and Tanu Weds Manu. Did you enjoy matching steps with your choreographers?
In No Problem I actually danced in a saree to this very peppy Punjabi number composed by Pritam. It was more of wriggling hips like Shakira than matching steps, but thanks to choreographer Chinni Prakash I managed quite well. In Tanu Weds Manu Saroj Khan made me do the typical Bollywood jhatkas and matkas. It was fun. It will also be the first time that I will be seen in an all-Indian look in a film wherein I wear mostly kurtis and mojris.

Both No Problem and Tanu are comedies. What do you have to say to your new avatar, that of a romantic comedienne?
I know I started off with doing dark, intense roles that received critical acclaim. But an actor has to move on. I had a great time doing the light-hearted films. It brought out a side that even I did not know I had! Thanks to director Anees Bazmee and Aanand Rai.

Are you enjoying playing a cop in Crooked?
It was destined that I do the film. I had declined the film earlier because of date problems but because of a change in schedule in the shoot it came back to me. I have just started shooting for it…. Yes, it looks as if I am going to enjoy being on the other side of the law.

At what stage of production is your film Actor with Amitabh Bachchan?
I believe that the makers are trying to sort out Amitabh Bachchan’s dates. Once that is done, we start shooting.

Is it true that you have no scenes with Sanjay Dutt in Sohail Maklai’s Knockout?
Yes that’s true. Knockout is a political drama and Sanjay plays a man who takes on the political system from within. I may not have any scenes with him but at I am happy being part of a very intense film.

Your character in Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbai also sounds interesting.
A lot of thinking went into creating this character of an actress, who is a don’s girlfriend. She is very glamorous and influenced by Western fashion. So I wanted to create a look which is western, but suits someone Indian. It is an intriguing mix of Audrey Hepburn’s, Sophia Loren’s, Asha Parekh’s and Sadhana’s styles. There are a lot of high-waist narrow trousers and scarves. It’s a ‘70s look without being comical.

Is there any style you would like to bring back from the 70s?
Skirts! The kinds worn then were very feminine, practical and elegant. I would like to see more girls wearing them.

Are you anxious that you are not seen in the publicity of Kites?
I have a guest appearance in the film, and it is up to the producers how they want to project me. There is nothing to be anxious about.