Indian actress and star of Emergency Kangana Ranaut slams Bollywood as 'atrocious' and 'tacky'

Bollywood is such a letdown in every way. They are just such a horrible letdown and is an industry which is atrocious, which is tacky, which makes horrible, horrible films in the name of commercial cinema. And then they don't even make it commercial and massy unlike South Indian films. The South Indian filmmakers may probably not be the best in the world, but they are at least making commercially viable films that are appealing to rickshaw wallas. But Bollywood filmmakers have just failed on every level.

I am happy that the hate is mutual. I cannot stand Bollywood people … If I had to entertain them or put up with them, I would be very awkward and probably unhappy. This is the one thing I love about my life — that I don’t have to entertain Bollywood people. But the opposition I keep getting from their end on whatever I do is shocking. With the kind of struggles I have faced, I have become the face of struggling people in Bollywood. When you think about hardships and struggles, you think of me. I have become the poster child for that. It can get very tiring sometimes, but now I know better. When I was younger, I used to think that I was to blame for any sort of ill fate or hardships I faced. But now I know better. I know how things function, and in hindsight, whatever you may think is a curse, you see it in a different light. When you look back with a little distance, you understand the larger picture. So I’m not bothered about it anymore.

It’s been a long struggle for us. The initial film was delayed, and then we had a struggle with censorship and faced all kinds of objections and banning. But finally, it is going to see the light of day. At many times, hope was bleak. But now we are a bit relieved. The release of my film is an indication that we have freedom of expression that everybody talks about.

With Mrs. Gandhi, either people hate her or people love her; there is no in-between. And yes, so far, nobody has ever succeeded in making a film on her. In the past, there were films that hinted at her or showed a tentative kind of depiction of a little chapter in her life. My film ‘Emergency’ is a full-fledged film on Mrs. Gandhi, her life, her work ethic, and her overall success as a politician, along with her many failures. I obviously knew that it was not going to happen smoothly, and I would have to go through a lot of upheavals. That’s exactly what happened. They used many tactics to demotivate me, to suppress me. But I didn’t take no for an answer.

Our generation does not have an understanding of it. It is a very widely spoken about chapter of Indian history, but yet we don’t know what went into it, what were the after-effects of it, and why it was imposed in the first place. There are just so many conflicting stories and narratives. Mrs. Gandhi is the best-kept political secret. She's a fascinating figure.

Oh yes! A lot of footage. At times, I unconsciously started to behave like her. She had very peculiar mannerisms — that tilt of her head, the lip-ticking, or eye fluttering when she was nervous. She was petite, not towering, and had a vulnerable frame. It was fascinating to impersonate her.

As a woman, I identify with her in this men’s world. It takes a lot to be the first woman Prime Minister. America still doesn’t have one, and the whole world is looking at them. India did, and not once, but twice, and almost thrice. I have deep admiration for her.

I honestly don't think that I'm somebody to set a benchmark or anything. But at least I made a good film. It's a decent film. It's a very nice film and I can guarantee you that there is nothing atrocious about it. Even though I belong to a party [Bharatiya Janata Party], I have integrity as an artist. Unlike many in Bollywood, I have deep respect for anybody who has done anything for the country, regardless of the party. That’s why today I can go up to Priyanka Gandhi and be like, 'please see my directorial Emergency'. I told her that she will appreciate the film, because of my integrity as an artist.

If people go to the theaters, buy tickets and watch the film, it's a very big compliment, because these days, people don't like to go to theaters. And if they do, and they give such a large part of their day to you, it is such a great act of love or passion for movies. I hope Emergency enjoys that love and effort.