Bollywood actress Kangana Ranuat won the National Award for the Best Actress this week for her portrayal as the timid jilted bride Rani in Queen, and she’s still pinching herself.
tabloid! caught up with her for five fleeting minutes over the phone on Thursday to find out how her week was progressing. With no acting dynasty backing her, the 28-year-old says the National Awards are “serious business”. The actress, who won her first National Award for her role as a troubled model in Fashion, also reveals her relationship with her colleague Priyanka Chopra, who has openly praised her on Twitter this week following her win. Excerpts from our interview:
How does it feel to win the National Award for Queen?
It was a special day because it was my 28th birthday and the day I launched the motion poster of my next film Tanu Weds Manu 2. Now, this National Award win was just the perfect icing on the cake. National Awards are serious business. They don’t have a nomination party or any such fanfare attached to it. Honestly, I didn’t even know they were announcing the winners on March 24 and so that telephone call saying I won caught me by surprise. There’s no PR or noise around National Awards usually. That’s what makes it so special.
Do you think the National Awards are more legitimate than the commercial or popular award ceremonies that you recently refused to attend this year?
I have high regards for all kinds of awards. But commercial awards is an appropriate way to describe the Bollywood-oriented awards. In my personal opinion, the purpose they [the popular awards] serve is largely entertainment. Their priorities are different and it should be because they have various pressures such as TRPs (television rating points) and demands made by a particular TV channel. Honestly, they are not as exciting for me because I look at awards in a different light. But I am glad that Filmfare awarded me a trophy and acknowledged me recently. But in my eyes, it’s such an honour knowing that I will receive an award from the President Of India for your abilities in your own field that you are trying to make a career in. What’s special about the National Awards is that talents from across the country come under one roof, get to know each other and acknowledge each other’s work. This is not usually the case for the Bollywood-centric awards. So winning a National Award is gratifying.
Priyanka Chopra, whose Mary Kom won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Award, has openly praised you on you Twitter (“hate losing.But if I had to take a back seat to anyone this year it would be U #KanganaRanaut! Congratulations!yay Queen!#SmallTownGirls”). Your thoughts?
Priyanka is a close friend. I remember signing Fashion with her when I was just a newcomer. She was a huge star back then and I remember being so starry-eyed. At that time, she was so warm and welcoming and didn’t have any reason to be like that. Our friendship has just grown from strength to strength. She called me from California the day the awards were announced and we have a very fuzzy spirit when it comes to acknowledging each other’s works or achievements. She was teasing me about what she tweeted. I just felt embarrassed and couldn’t believe that she was saying those words. My equation with her is different. I would always be that starry-eyed fan. I look at her and admire what she has achieved so far. She’s a small-town girl and is now on her own. It’s highly inspirational.
Will there be a sequel to Queen 2? Have you begun writing it?
We haven’t discussed that. But let’s see what happens in the future.
Have you decided where to place your National Award trophy?
I have won a National Award before. So it’s not a trophy, but a certificate that comes in a frame. I will place it proudly in my office, just like the other for Fashion.
