‘Don’t Mislead The Youth’: Kangana Ranaut Hits Back At Trolls Over Her Movie Roles

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has responded sharply to online criticism that followed her recent remarks on young women and student protests. After facing backlash over comments in which she referred to some young Hindu women as “generation gutter” and criticised the language used during recent demonstrations, social media users began sharing clips and images from her films to question her stance.

Kangana has now addressed the criticism, arguing that people are drawing a false comparison between the characters she portrays on screen and how young people should behave in real life.

Kangana Says Film Characters Should Not Be Used As Examples

Taking to Instagram Stories on Friday, Kangana reposted an old video of herself speaking in Parliament.

The speech was originally delivered after she entered the Lok Sabha as the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi constituency, when she had objected to political opponents circulating her film stills after her election victory.

Reiterating that stand, Kangana said there was nothing contradictory about playing glamorous or bold characters because it was part of her profession as an actor.

She wrote, “You want to use my movie character clips I get paid millions to play, high profile show business events where I am surrounded by my own entourage and event planners security forces, you want to use these to convince vulnerable teenagers that she can do the same on the road or in school functions or in dingy clubs? Is it the same thing?”

The actor further urged people not to blur the distinction between cinema and everyday life.

“Don’t mislead the youth, it’s not the same thing. Today you mislead others children tomorrow it will be yours,” she added.

Why Kangana Is Facing Backlash

The fresh clarification comes days after Kangana’s comments on student protests and Gen Z behaviour sparked a heated debate online.

Earlier this week, she criticised videos from the demonstrations, saying they reflected behaviour that was completely at odds with India’s cultural values. Describing the visuals as disturbing, she questioned the language and conduct of some protesters.

“Never in my life, I have seen so much ugliness in one place. These reels from Gen Z protests are puke-inducing, the way they speak and the kind of language they are using. Never in my life have I seen everything in each and every frame so jarring and so crass all at once,” she wrote.

She went on to make stronger remarks, saying, “Ewwww, who is birthing and raising them? India is a place of diversely beautiful people, draped in elegance and rooted in cultural sophistication; you call yourselves cockroaches and look/behave like them as well; there is no paradox or juxtaposition there, just simply subjecting the world to your filth, garbage and ugliness. I am scarred from these reels, need some healing, digital detox.”

Kangana also accused some protesters of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother. Comparing the demonstrations to her own student years, she questioned whether the protesters represented the values expected of students.

“Our 75-year-old Prime Minister was targeted, and filthy abuse was hurled at his late mother. We, too, have participated in student protests. But what kind of students are these, and what kind of obscene language are they using? In what way do they resemble students?” she said.

She further remarked that many of those protesting would not be able to afford legal help if they landed in trouble and added that she had been financially independent since the age of 16.

Two Decades In Bollywood And A Political Career

Amid the ongoing controversy, Kangana recently completed 20 years in the film industry. She made her Bollywood debut at 18 with Mohit Suri’s Gangster in 2006 alongside Shiney Ahuja and Emraan Hashmi. The film emerged as a commercial success and established her as one of the industry’s most promising newcomers.

Over the years, Kangana has delivered acclaimed performances in films such as Fashion, Queen, Tanu Weds Manu, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Manikarnika. She has won four National Film Awards, including three Best Actress honours, and remains one of the few actors to balance a mainstream film career with active politics.

Since 2024, Kangana has represented Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi constituency as a BJP Member of Parliament. Even as her public statements continue to generate intense debate, the actor has maintained that her work on screen should not be confused with the values she believes should guide everyday life.