Stop calling 'Gangster' a small film, says Kangana

Jan 16, 2007 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Jan 17 (IANS) Newcomer Kangana Ranaut is miffed at "Gangster - A Love Story", which catapulted her to fame, being referred to as a "small film".

"After the awards at a celebration party, an actor who seemed a little drunk walked up to me and smiled condescendingly to congratulate me for winning the award for a small film. I was immediately upset," Kangana said, referring to the 13th Star Screen Awards function.

"Small? How is 'Gangster' a small film? Are they talking about budgeting?

It's a Rs.80-90 million film. Is that chickenfeed?

"We shot the film in Seoul where no Indian film has been shot before. The plot takes the characters to two different countries. The largeness of the canvas is unquestionable. I'd rather be proud of such a small film than be ashamed of some big film where I'd be tucked away in an invisible corner. And I said so to the actor," Kangana told IANS.

She walked away with the best debutante actress award at the function held in Mumbai.

Apparently, Kangana, who already has a reputation for not mincing words, made her displeasure very clear to the actor who made the remark. Several onlookers heard raised voices.

But she said: "There were no raised voices. I just made my point very clear. 'Gangster' isn't a small film. I'm now doing some so-called big films. And I'm equally proud of both."

The actress has, for now, stopped signing new films.

"I'm listening to new scripts every day. But nothing that excites me enough to grab another offer. I'd rather wait for Anurag Basu's 'Metro' and Suneel Darshan's 'Shakalaka Boom Boom' to come out in February and April before I say yes to any of the new offers.

"It's so difficult to follow up 'Gangster' and 'Woh Lamhe' with something equally exciting. I envy Kareena Kapoor for getting 'Omkara'. I'd love to work with directors like Vishal Bharadwaj and Madhur Bhandarkar. In fact, I'll be listening to Madhurji's script soon."

Good times ahead in 2007?

"Very good times," said Kangana. "2006 gave me some heartburns specially about my sister's injury and some unsavoury rumours about my fall-out with the Bhatts (Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt). I think things will be far more peaceful this year."

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