Actor and newly-elected Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has once again stirred conversation with a bold and emotional revelation—this time not about Bollywood, but politics. In a candid one-on-one interview with Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now, Ranaut called politics “the most abused profession” and admitted that her journey so far has been far more jarring than anything she experienced in the film industry.

Calling her entry into politics a “voluntary leap into service,” Ranaut said, “As a politician, it’s the most abused corner of the world. You are being abused all the time. There is no right way of doing anything.” She elaborated that this constant barrage of criticism is why many young Indians avoid entering politics, despite having the will to contribute to society. “You choose this life, and yet, you are constantly under fire. Even if you’re trying to help, the abuse doesn’t stop,” she noted.

The remarks were part of a wide-ranging conversation in which Ranaut opened up about the emotional weight of public service and the dramatic shift from celebrity life to facing real-life struggles of the masses. She said, “It’s been a jolt to come face-to-face with the harsh reality. You come from a very comfortable place — even as a child, you’re raised with certain comforts. But now, every single day you’re meeting people with pain, with problems, with sorrow.”

Ranaut also reflected on the helplessness that comes from high expectations. “People expect you to fix everything. And I’ve always prided myself on being someone who delivers. But here, you’re suddenly thrown into situations you never trained for. Sometimes you just can’t help, and that’s a very difficult truth to accept,” she confessed.

Interestingly, Kangana drew comparisons between the film industry and politics. In a statement that caught many off guard, she remarked that politics may, in some ways, be more forgiving than the world of cinema. “People in politics, they seem to have short memories. You look at Bihar or other places — how much hate and how many jail years — yet people come back. The film industry, though, is less forgiving. Once you flop, it’s very hard to come back.”

Kangana Ranaut, who won her debut election from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, on a BJP ticket in the 2024 General Elections, has always maintained a fierce and unapologetic public image. From championing nationalist causes to calling out power dynamics in Bollywood, she’s long been a polarising figure in Indian public life. Her transition into politics has, unsurprisingly, drawn both intense scrutiny and applause.

As she navigates this new chapter, Ranaut’s words offer a rare glimpse into the vulnerability and weight of public office. “This is not something you just do for image or glory,” she said. “It breaks you, it grounds you. But maybe, that’s also where real growth begins.”