Bollywood hotshots are afraid to openly praise my films, says Kangana Ranaut

Indian actor Kangana Ranaut thinks discrimination is real in the Bollywood industry and she blames the movie mafia for it.

Using social media to voice her concerns, Ranaut said Akshay Kumar called her and supported her film, but he, like many others in the industry, was afraid to openly praise her work or show support for it like they would for big names like Alia Bhatt or Deepika Padukone.

The Queen star believes the distinction comes from the fear of the 'movie mafia' — a term she previously used to describe Karan Johar, Yash Raj Films and the children of Bollywood stars who have been able to grab movie roles through nepotism.

"Bollywood is so hostile that even to praise me, people can get in trouble," she said. "I have got many secret calls and messages even from big stars like Akshay Kumar. They praised Thalaivi the film's trailer to sky, but unlike Alia and Deepika's films, they can’t openly praise it. Movie mafia terror."

Ranaut said she wished the industry was more objective when it came to matters of art, adding that she deserved better treatment regardless of what her political views might be.

"Wish an industry of art can be objective when it comes to art, and not indulge in power play and politics when it comes to cinema, my political views and spirituality should not make me a target of bullying, harassment and isolation but if they do, then obviously I will win..." she concluded on a hostile note.

This is not the first time Ranaut has taken to social media to complain about things plaguing her. Previously, she had gotten into legal trouble with lyricist Javed Akhtar who had filed a complaint against the Tanu Weds Manu star for defaming him on national television.

Prior to the issuance of a bailable warrant against her, Akhtar had told the court that Ranaut dragged his name while referring to a "coterie" existing in Bollywood, following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in June last year.

The release date for Thalaivi, which has been made in multiple languages, has been shifted from April 23 to a later date, due to the pandemic.

No confirmed date has been announced yet.