In a scathing critique of Karan Johar’s latest romantic comedy, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has minced no words in expressing her displeasure. The film, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, has received harsh criticism from the Queen actor, who accused the filmmaker of perpetually “regressing Indian cinema.”
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, Kangana claimed that the audience is no longer fooled by films that “lack creativity” and rely on “over-the-top sets and costumes.” The Simran actor was also shocked at the exorbitant budget of INR2.5 billion for the film, wondering why such vast sums were invested in what she calls “stupidity,” while real talent struggles to secure funds for meaningful projects.
“Audience can’t be fooled anymore. They have rejected atrocious and creatively poor films full of fake sets and over-the-top fake costumes. Who dresses like this in real life and also, where are tacky houses like those in Delhi? What rubbish!” she wrote.
“Shame on Karan Johar for copying his own vintage movies of the nineties. Also, how come he spent INR 2.5 billion on this stupidity? Who gives them this kind of money while real talent struggles to get funds,” she added.
However, Kangana’s disapproval didn’t stop there. The actor also drew comparisons between Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which delves into the complex life of nuclear physicist J Robert Oppenheimer. She pointed out the stark difference in the audience’s interest in a thought-provoking film about nuclear science versus a typical Bollywood melodrama.
“Indian audiences are watching 3 hours long film on the origin of nuclear weapons and intricacies of atomic science and here we’re making the same nepotism-ruled mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dramas. But even then, why does he need INR 2.5 billion to make a daily soap? You call yourself the flag bearer of Indian cinema and yet are perpetually regressing it. Don’t waste funds, it’s not an easy time for the industry,” she exclaimed.
Kangana further opined that Karan should “retire now” and “let young filmmakers make new and revolutionary films.”
In another Instagram Story, Kangana even advised Ranveer to steer clear of Karan’s dressing sense. She urged him to dress more like veteran actors Dharmendra or Vinod Khanna, with dignity and integrity, rather than adopting what she describes as a “cartoonish” appearance. She pointed to South Indian film heroes as examples of dressing with more manliness and dignity.
Despite Kangana’s remarks, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani saw a successful opening day at the box office, earning a whopping INR110 million. Karan, as of now, has not responded to Kangana’s comments. The controversy adds to the ongoing debate surrounding nepotism and the representation of meaningful content in the Indian film industry.
