Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Kangna Ranaut's interview for Cosmopolitan

Kangna has a gift very few actresses have. A face so versatile, that with each new movie, you wonder if it's the same girl you saw earlier. At Cosmo's 6am covershoot, she is the first to arrive, as fresh as you can get at the crack of dawn, and has thoughts on everything...the clothes, the make-up, the photographs. She's only 23, but already the perfect combination of tough and charming, and that's probably one of the things that have helped take her to the top and made her an inspiration for young girls wanting to make it big without being born into the industry. Determined, driven and motivated to keep going until she has it all, the curly-haired star bears her soul, style, and sensibility to Cosmo...
Cosmo: Do you remember the first shot that you gave? How was it going from
girl-nextdoor, to glamorous diva?
Kangna Ranaut: I was just 17 when I started, from a small town, and far removed from the world of glamour. So it wasn't like I was really aware of what a big deal it was until I actually started filming. It's only when Gangster became this big hit, people appreciated my work, and I took all the awards home for the movie that it actually started to sink in.
Cosmo: What was your childhood like?
KR: Simple and happy. My family has lived in Himachal for a long time. My great-grandfather was a freedom fighter and became a minister later. He was a pioneer in getting things moving and did some very cool things like bringing electricity to our village. My grandfather was an IAS officer, and my father runs a business, while my mother is a primary school teacher. So I come from an old, established family in that community, and my getting into films was certainly something unexpected. Even as a child, I had a strong sense of fashion. I would pair up accessories and clothes that, to my neighbours, would seem just bizarre. I guess I've always loved to experiment with my look and I did start pretty young, too.
Cosmo:Were you the Ms Goody two-shoes girl, or a rebellious teenager?
KR: I think most teenagers go through a phase of finding themselves and their own identity. Sometimes, that's wild and over the top, and sometimes, it's more subtle. I was a science student, but I always knew I wanted to do something different. I tried a bit of modelling, but that didn't work out; however, it did lead me to theatre, which I loved, and then that led to films— something I feel very passionate about. I followed my heart—if that is rebellious, then yes, I was certainly a rebel!
Cosmo: What's the one thing you hate and love about being a star?
KR: There is amazing creative talent surrounding you—photographers, directors, scriptwriters, and actors. I don't know if there's anything I hate, but the scrutiny your private life is put under is certainly not fun.
Cosmo: You've done a lot of dark roles in the past...are you a sombre person in real life?
KR: Not at all! When you are an outsider, it's not like you have a choice of scripts and roles. You take what you get. The industry is very unforgiving to outsiders. If Gangster was a flop, I would not have got a second chance. But for that film, I won 13 awards. Now, after hits like Life In A Metro, Raaz, Fashion, and Once Upon A Time, people have started offering me a variety of roles. That's great and it works for me.
Cosmo: You're looking great! How do you keep so fit?
KR: My yoga practice is the very foundation of my fitness regime. I've been practicing yoga with my teacher, Mr Surya Narayan, for over five years now and he's absolutely fantastic. I also go to the gym two to three times a week. Food wise, I try to eat healthy, but I'm not fanatical about it.
Cosmo: Who is your beauty and style icon, and why?
KR: Kate Winslet—for her ethereal beauty and Rihanna as well as Victoria Beckham for their impeccable style.
Cosmo: Which designer is your absolute favaourite right now?
KR: I like many designers. In India, I think Sabyasachi is very different and cool.
Cosmo: What would you wear on a hot date and who would you like to take out on a fantasy date?
KR: Depends what we were doing on the date and my frame of mind. Dinner or a club might mean I would slip into a sexy dress and heels. Although I'm happily single at the moment, I would pick George Clooney to go on a fantasy date (laughs).
Cosmo: Who do you think is the hottest actor in the Indian film industry?
KR: I think Aamir Khan is amazing and such a creative man. He's so much more than just an actor and that's what I really admire about him.
Cosmo: Do you believe in love and do you think it's possible for two actors to get married?
KR: Yes, I believe in love, and don't think you can put conditions on it. I can make a huge list of what I want in a man, but when love happens, the list doesn't matter so much.
Cosmo: You are so young and have always been independent, how do you handle the challenge of living all by yourself?
KR: My sister lives with me. But yes, I have stayed alone as well. I was in a hostel, so I learnt early on how to be independent and take care of myself.
Cosmo: What new fashion trend are you into right now?
KR: Bling—I just love it right now.
Cosmo: What is the idea of the perfect weekend for you?
KR: Staying at home and relaxing. Catching a film with friends at a theatre, listening to music, cleaning my cupboard, basically just un-winding.
Cosmo: What do you make of the rumours when they are splashed in the magazines, newspapers and gossip columns?
KR: It's ridiculous, some of the stuff you read that you're supposed to have done. But I guess it goes with the field I am in. When I began in the industry, I would get very shaken by these stories. Now I've learnt to ignore it. But of course, it's not like I am completely indifferent to them. It's one of the reasons we launched my website—realkangnaranaut.com—so people who are interested can get the real facts on my life and not just stuff people make up.
Cosmo: You must be awfully busy. Do you get to party at all? Do you think if you weren't famous you would do it more often?
KR: Mumbai's pretty safe, and I guess people are used to celebrities here. One can go out and party, and I do that as and when it is possible.
Cosmo: So tell us, what should we look forward to in the next few months?
KR: I have several films coming up—Game, where I play an IVF cop; Knockout, where I play a crime reporter; and then there are all-out comedies which I've had a great time filming like Double Dhamaal, Rascals, and Manu Weds Tanu

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