Published By: Sayan Paul

Kangana Ranaut's Birthday: From 4 National Awards to Padma Shri - Her Major Achievements

The actress is best known for her portrayals of strong-willed women in female-led Hindi films.

Speaking about Kangana Ranaut, the first thing that comes to mind is: love her or hate her, you just can’t ignore her. Because she is anything but conventional. She is an outsider who made it big in Bollywood, which is something not many can claim. In a male-dominated industry, she made a name for herself by leading female-driven films and proving that heroines don’t always need a hero to succeed. And she isn’t just about films; off-screen, she’s known for speaking her mind without filters, and often makes headlines for her opinions and strong views. Some admire her as a brave voice against nepotism and industry politics, while others feel she stirs controversy just to grab the public's attention. Whatever you feel, one thing you cannot deny - Kangana isn’t someone who follows the crowd. She makes her own path, takes on challenges head-on, and ensures that whether you agree with her or not, you’re always talking about her.

Born on March 23, 1986, Kangana turns 39 today. On this occasion, let's have a look at some of her biggest career achievements.

Four National Film Awards

Kangana's talent has been recognized with four prestigious National Film Awards:

  1. Best Supporting Actress for 'Fashion' (2008): In this film, she portrayed a troubled supermodel, earning her first National Film Award for her compelling performance.

First National award, Many special memories attached to this, I was one of the youngest actresses to receive the honour, also for a woman centric film from a woman President. I designed my own suit didn’t have enough money to buy something special, the suit wasn’t bad...nahin ? https://t.co/WPgaVsTjdV

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 23, 2021

(Credit: Kangana Ranaut)

  1. Best Actress for 'Queen' (2014): Her role as Rani, a woman who embarks on a solo honeymoon after being jilted, showcased her versatility and garnered critical acclaim. Her performance here is still considered one of the finest in recent Hindi cinema.

When Rani from Rajouri made the Nation take Notice!

Throwback to the moment when #KanganaRanaut received National Award for #Queen #5YearsOfQueen
@Viacom18Movies pic.twitter.com/UFoP2hlvCK

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 7, 2019

(Credit: Kangana Ranaut)

  1. Best Actress for 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' (2015): Playing dual roles in this romantic comedy, Kangana's impeccable comic timing and depth brought both characters to life.

Kangana Ranaut won her Third National Award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns👏🏻👏🏻

TWMR is the most profitable Hindi film of 2015 & still the highest grossing female centric film of all time in India

PS- Missing Kangana on Twitter today#KanganaRanaut #6YearsOfTanuWedsManuReturns pic.twitter.com/AMtOHm6yMi

— 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 (@Beingrealbeing) May 22, 2021

(Credit: 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚)

  1. Best Actress for 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' (2019) and 'Panga' (2020): Her portrayal of the warrior queen Rani Lakshmi Bai in 'Manikarnika' and a kabaddi player in 'Panga highlighted her range and dedication to her craft.

67th National Film Awards | Kangana Ranaut receives the Best Actress award for "Manikarnika" and "Panga". Dhanush and Manoj Bajpayee receive the Best Actor award for "Asuran" and "Bhonsle" respectively

📷 - ANI pic.twitter.com/ZXAIC70WWD

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) October 25, 2021

(Credit: The Times Of India)

Four Filmfare Awards

Kangana's shelf also boasts four Filmfare Awards:

  1. Best Female Debut for 'Gangster' (2006): Her entry into Bollywood happened with this thrilling drama, setting the stage for her illustrious career.

Besides the Best Female Debut award, 'Gangster' also earned her a special award - "Face of the Year" - at the Filmfare Awards 2006.

  1. Best Supporting Actress for 'Fashion' (2008): This role not only earned her a National Award but also a Filmfare, catapulting her status in the film industry.

  1. Best Actress for 'Queen' (2014): Same as 'Fashion', 'Queen' earned her both the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award - Best Actress. And this film's success was a turning point in her career, making all heads turn.
  2. Best Actress (Critics) for 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' (2015): Her dual roles in this sequel showcased her ability to handle complex characters with ease.

Forbes India's Celebrity 100 List

Kangana's influence extends beyond acting, with her featuring six times in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list. This recognition reflects her significant impact in the industry.

Forbes India lists Kangana as one of the finest actresses of 2017 for her performances in #Rangoon and #Simran https://t.co/Ah93t46ldo

— Kangana Ranaut Daily (@KanganaDaily) January 3, 2018

(Credit: Kangana Ranaut Daily)

Padma Shri in 2020

In 2020, she was honored by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian award, for her contributions in the fields of arts.

(Credit: ANI News)

Political Milestone – Lok Sabha Election 2024

Transitioning from reel to real-life leadership, Kangana contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. She won the seat after being elected over her main opponent Vikramaditya Singh. Her victory marked a significant shift from cinema to active politics.

However, it's also worth noting that she has often faced backlash for her statements and political activities.

Well, I may not agree with Kangana on a lot of things, but I simply can’t help but respect her. She is fearless, and one of the rare ones who says exactly what’s on her mind, despite knowing the consequences. Standing against an entire industry and holding one’s ground isn’t easy, but you see, she does it effortlessly. And unlike many in showbiz who carefully build their image, she has absolutely no pretense. Love her or not, you’ve got to admit that she plays the game by her own rules, and that’s something very few can dare to do.