In the changing room

Kangana Ranaut can't guess why our ilk is always writing about her. "When I was scrawny, people would keep saying that I was too thin. And now that I've put on nine kilos, everyone has been talking about my weight gain," she laughs. But all these stories don't affect her anymore. The actor who's managed to turn from a rookie into a diva in just four yearsu00a0-- from her choice of roles, to her hair, to her wardrobe to her recent rounder figureu00a0-- talks to CS about how she's changed:


WHO: Kangana Ranaut
WHAT: Talking about how she's changed
WHERE: At a film's photoshoot
HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Clint Fernandes

Style check
To me, style is all about experimentation and mixing and matching items creatively. My style statement is spontaneousu00a0-- I don't mind experimenting as long as I don't look crazy. But I've never done anything under pressure, and don't plan to either. I didn't put on weight because everyone said that I was too thin. I fractured my leg and couldn't do my cardio exercises anymore. So the weight gain was inevitable.
It is surprising though that the media found fodder for a story here. But I don't get affected by all that I read about myself anymore. I would want to end my life if I took everything that they said to heart. Now I've learnt that they're just doing their job if they make a story spicier than it is. I've come to understand the business a lot better now.

A fresh look
I was as young as 17 when I made an entry into the industry. After I starred in Gangster, I got my first taste of fame and it was hard for me to handle it because I was a bit of an introvert. I would find it bizarre when people came to me for autographs. I hated that extra attention and did everything I could to run away from it. As a result, I was chased even more. But over time I've matured as an individual and have been able to understand the psychology of my fans. We celebrities are marketed as people who are larger-than-life and out of reach. So our audience idolises us and wants to look like us (even though in real life, we look very different!) Now I know how to compartmentalise my reel and real life.

Going solo
I'm a private person and am happy that the media hasn't linked me with any Bollywood hunk lately. But all said and done, it feels good to be single again. There are lesser responsibilities on my shoulders and all the doors are open to me (laughs). So I'm definitely happy these days!