What Is Kangana Ranaut’s New Clause?

Kangana Ranaut of late, has started insisting on a new clause in her professional contracts before she signs any film. Pooja Sharma finds out what it reads like.
From the current generation of actors, Kangana Ranaut reinvented the notion of woman-centric films. Possibly being the only one to bring numbers and acclaim in equal measure. With her ability to carry a film on her own, single-handedly as its face, time and again she has enticed filmmakers to rope her into their dream projects. Also perhaps, being the first choice in any case, owing to her dynamic acting prowess. Besides, she has been lauded for her eclectic choices, most of which she has come out smelling like roses.
Tracing back to the early years in her cinematic journey, the actress started off by playing roles that not many would’ve preferred to begin with. But she chose the uncommon. Dark, difficult and damaged lives were led by her characters. Broken, abandoned or grappling with distraught circumstances, those characters exhibited deep and complex emotions. Right in the beginning of her career, she chose to play these people. She became the contemporary ‘Tragedy Queen’. Despite showcasing some serious flair for enacting these complicated parts, came a point when there was a lull in her career. Like many others, she was lured into the glamour and fancies of commercial potboilers. Neither were those frivolous films acknowledged, nor were her easily forgettable, frothy characters.
That was also the time when her choices were questioned, and so was her standing as an actor. Even off-screen, she didn’t present herself as eloquent and erudite, like she is today. Like any other arm-candy to a hero in candy-floss entertainers, she was sidelined. With no one to guide her along these alien choices, because there was nobody she chose to turn to, the actress’ association with flop films continued. And in no time, as a fair share of failures came along the way, the actress lost her cinematic charm as a performer and was even condemned for her portrayals. Certainly not ranked in the top five performers, getting there only seemed like a far-fetched possibility for Kangana Ranaut.
However, those films and that phase fizzled out soon. Luck favoured her again and things changed overnight. Vikas Bahl’s Queen brought Kangana back in the limelight. The small-budget, slice-of-life film made a splash at the Box Office and went on to become one of the highest grossing films that year. Her portrayal as the middle-class, naïve Rani, who was coerced by circumstance to turn spunky, earned the actress accolades and praises galore. And that’s when viewers sat up and took notice of this trailblazing performer of current times. Kangana Ranaut was back. And more determined to leave that lean and unyielding phase in her life far behind. All this in less than a decade in the industry.
She then followed it up with yet another Box Office success, Tanu Weds Manu Returns. This sequel got her an equal share of appreciation. First, she impressed us as the North Indian audacious totty. Then she nailed the second half with her performance, playing a small-town ambitious and athletic, but truly good-natured girl. Critics and viewers couldn’t stop gushing about her splendid performance. Yet again, Kangana proved she could single-handedly pull crowds to theatres, without any on-screen partnership with a mainstream hero.
Besides her acting credentials, she was also acknowledged for her writing skills. Kangana contributed and gave her inputs and penned a few dialogues for Queen. After being applauded for writing, and her ability to go beyond acting, the actress took up a screen-writing course at the New York Film Academy. On several occasions, the actress also expressed her desire to explore filmmaking and learn various aspects of the craft. As per our sources, whenever on sets, the actress takes keen interest in dialogues, screen-play, lighting and other technical aspects of a film. Actors who’ve shared the frame with the talented Ms Ranaut, swear by her attention to detail and perfectionist attitude. When offered a role, trust her to make notes, research and thoroughly prepare, in order to get into the skin of the character.
Known for acquiring mastery at whatever she sets her aim on, and considering her professionalism, the actress is embarking on expanding her creative horizons. So much so, that Kangana even goes through the editing of her projects in order to make sure that the end product is how it was planned to be, is what we’ve heard from sources. Our sources tells us that the latest change currently operational, is that with any project that the actress decides to take on, before she signs on the dotted line, her new clause states that the final edit of the film would be subject to her approval. Unless, it’s not approved by the actress, the makers cannot distribute it for release.
Considering her recent super-hits, her National Award, her dedication to her craft, her brilliance at what she does and the sum total of everything she brings to the table when she takes on a project, we’re sure makers wouldn’t mind making an allowance for the terms and conditions of her clause. Because Kangana Ranaut in a project is a dream that many directors live with today. Despite being an ‘outsider’, she has gradually but carefully, affirmed her position in the top rung of actors today. Obviously she does not care to be validated by the many in the industry who would give an arm and a leg to be in her throne, but lack the cojones to go against the norm.
With many feathers in her creative cap, it will now be interesting to witness Kangana wield the directorial baton soon. And we are confident she will do a swell job as a filmmaker too!
When contacted, both her publicist and manager (sister) Rangoli denied the clause being part of Kangana’s contract. Rangoli said, “It’s nothing like that. You can ask the directors and producers. Right now, Kangana is more than happy to act. Acting is a big job; it’s not like just set pe aao and do whatever. Kangana does a lot of prep. So she needs a lot of time. As for other things, she will do whenever there is time for her. When she will direct, then she will look into these aspects. Moreover, she hasn’t done any editing course.”

Here’s what the publicist had to say on the matter, “It’s not true. There is no such clause. As for direction, there are years to that. That is, whenever in future she plans to direct, she may edit her own films. But there is no such part in the contract.”