How Kangana Ranaut’s Gangster Role Almost Slipped Away Because of Mahesh Bhatt’s Age Critique

Kangana Ranaut, the acclaimed Bollywood actress, recently shared an intriguing story about her journey to her debut film Gangster. While promoting her upcoming film Emergency, Kangana recalled her audition experience for Gangster and the surprising turn of events that led to her getting the role.

The Audition and Initial Setback

In a conversation with The Lallantop, Kangana revealed that she initially cleared the audition for Gangster, directed by Anurag Basu. However, she was placed on hold because Mahesh Bhatt, the film’s producer, felt she was too young for the demanding role. Kangana described her audition process, saying, “Anurag Basu was looking for a new actress after his hit film Murder. I went to their studio in Juhu, where Anurag asked me to perform various scenes, including a drunk scene and crying scenes. After the audition, I was sent home.”

The Unexpected Twist

Kangana then shared that she received a call from Anurag Basu informing her that she had been finalized for the role. However, shortly after, Anurag called again to say she had lost the part because Mahesh Bhatt didn’t approve. Instead, Chitrangada Singh was considered for the role. But when Chitrangada didn’t respond to calls, the role unexpectedly came back to Kangana.

Gangster’s Success and Kangana’s Milestones

Gangster, which also starred Shiney Ahuja and Emraan Hashmi, turned out to be a surprise hit. Kangana’s performance earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Following this success, she appeared in films like Woh Lamhe and Life In a Metro. Her role in Fashion (2008) won her the National Film Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

Kangana is currently gearing up for the release of her film Emergency, which she directed, co-produced, and wrote. The film, featuring Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, and the late Satish Kaushik, was initially set for a September 6 release but has now been postponed.

This behind-the-scenes story highlights Kangana’s resilience and talent, marking her as a significant figure in the Bollywood industry.