Kangana Ranaut feels she is much more popular now after 'Thalaivii' release

Film still

NEW DELHI: Four-time National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut is over the moon with the response her latest movie `Thalaivii` is getting. She credits her team for the success and says that she is much more popular now than she has ever been.

Ever since the movie was released on a streaming portal, the film has been trending and this gives a sense of reassurance to Kangana, who says despite her right-wing opinion it even got appreciation from people who follow a `Leftist` approach.

Talking to IANS about feeling like a number one actress, Kangana said: "I do my own thing and I am in my own place. Most actresses are very popular for starring with popular heroes. That`s how actresses have always been. But I have my own light."

She added: "I don`t borrow someone`s else`s light. So, you know, that is a good place to be in. Definitely, I am much more popular now than I have ever been. It is true that right now is the best time of my career. I won`t deny that."

Kangana is happy despite the film being pitted against international content, `Thalaivii`, which is based on the life of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and former actress J. Jayalalithaa, did so well.

The film showcases the varied aspects of Jayalalithaa`s life, tracing her journey as an actress at a young age to becoming the face of Tamil cinema, as well as the rise of the revolutionary leader who changed the course of the state`s politics.

"The film was pitted against a lot of international content. We always made a film that was a quintessential underdog story but we never thought it would be pitted against `Squid Game` and these very popular series which had a huge anticipation."

She added: "All these things have made us feel that eventually even on streaming people who watch high end content and are used to international content essentially they also love the film. It is very reassuring."

Kangana credits "good writing, direction and the fact that everybody was such a good actor in the film." "It helped a lot." 

She talked about her favourite performance in the film. "To be honest Raja Arjun sir`s performance is my favourite performance in the film. He`s so good. He brought a lot of empathy and sensitivity to a negative character. So every actor was so good. Even Arvind Swamy sir brought a lot of emotional content and gripping narrative to the film."

How does all the love coming her way for the film feel?

"This has been so healing in terms of all the scrutiny that I went through and I go through for my very right-wing opinions and nationalistic approach to things after that kind of apprciton even from people who have a Left or Communist approach or idealogies even they appreciated my work. And that`s how I feel that art brings everyone together," she concluded.