Talk about Deepika and me is popcorn: Kangana

Kangana Ranaut comes clean on the rumours going around about her.

You referred to yourself as the Queen of Queens recently.
(Laughs) I must have been drunk.

It's been a heady year, awards for Queen leading up to the phenomenal success of Tanu Weds Manu Returns (TWMR) helping you carve a distinct, daringly different niche.
Ten years ago, I entered the industry at 18 with no expectations. I tried and tested everything but when I followed trends, it didn't work, so I went my own way.

You were launched with a performance-oriented role in Anurag Basu's Gangster...
I won the Asian Film Award for Best Actress for it in Singapore but back home, other debutants have made more noise. A decade ago, there was no market for parallel cinema but being a girl from the mountains I knew no better. Today, you can squeeze in one performance-oriented role between five-six commercial films. I enjoy the challenge of coming up with something new rather than being stuck in a fish tank.

You're also turning down films with A-list actors...
When you are doing larger-than life films with superstars you don't get equal opportunities. Roles are written for them because the audience goes to watch them. But I want a role which is of equal importance.

How did Vishal Bhardwaj convince you to sign Rangoon with two A-list actors, Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor?
Vishal sir always wanted me but Rangoon is a period film set during the Second World War. It needs stars, a big budget, it wasn't easy to put together. He had his actors and after the success of TWMR he could rope me in. I'm going to New York for research and then I'll go to a small island in Mexico where I will live like a hippie for a few days. I need time for myself.

You don't miss being in a relationship?
It's good when you're in one and not bad when you're not. Right now I'm not but I enjoy my time alone. Being in control of your libido is the best thing that can happen to you. I know the pain of a break-up, what it's like to be without work and food, to fail repeatedly. Some days I asked myself why I was the 'unlucky one'. But I didn't lose heart even when I was left with a broken heart. My troubles have made me a better person.

But it hasn't made you a popular actor. At the TWMR success bash you danced alone while half the industry turned up for Deepika Padukone's Piku success party. Doesn't that hurt?
Some people like Mr Bachchan (Amitabh) and Aamir (Khan) have always supported me while some have given me stepmotherly treatment. I guess it's because I'm not a social butterfly, not even on social media. I was never expected to make it as I was the outsider, not the Next Big Thing from the industry. I was mocked and ridiculed. But I made it without a film starring the Khans.

When asked to describe your equation with Deepika you quipped, "It's katti batti!"
Deepika's a sweet girl but I have no personal equation with her. I've heard she's dedicated an award to me and called me for the Piku trial. I invited her to the screening of TWMR but she couldn't make it. That's it! Talk about us is harmless. I've had far more harmful charges levelled against me. This is just popcorn!

Imran Khan took his time accepting Katti Batti but you agreed instantly.
I can't speak for him. I wasn't sure about doing the film at a time when I was getting title roles showcasing my talent. But the script blew me over. It's a love story you've never seen before.

Now you're demanding scripting credits, sitting on edits and your choice of co-stars?
At 18, I wanted to work with the creme de la creme because I thought that was the only way to be successful. But I don't think any A-lister has done as many B-grade films as I have. Today, all I want is 50:50 on paper.

Demand for equal opportunities can threaten actors...
Yes, it's easy to get your way if you flutter your lashes but a woman with a mind of her own is threatening. I realised that after TWMR.

Why did you walk out of Sujoy Ghosh's The Devotion of Suspect X?
I value my commitments but if something is going out of my hands, I don't resist.

Is Hansal Mehta's Simran a biopic?
No, it's about a Gujarati girl who heads out to California and gets involved in small-time criminal activities. It's the story of a mother and daughter... their love.