Kangana Ranaut clarifies past statements on drug use: 'I never called myself a drug addict'

Kangana Ranaut, known for her dual involvement in both films and politics, is facing renewed scrutiny over past statements she made about drug use.

As she prepares for the release of her upcoming film "Emergency," Kangana addressed these controversies in a recent interview, where she denied ever labeling herself a "drug addict," despite previous claims made in interviews and a video she posted on Instagram.

In a conversation with The Lallantop, Kangana was questioned about her 2020 remark where she referred to herself as a "star and a drug addict."

She responded by discussing her younger years, describing herself as a "free-spirited, open-minded" individual who was curious about the world. She explained that leaving her family and stepping out on her own exposed her to new experiences, both good and bad. "When you’re young and exploring the world, everything - whether it’s beautiful, dark, or alarming - can attract you," she said.

Kangana suggested that her experiences during this period were tied to her method acting rather than actual drug use. She reflected on her roles in films like "Gangster," where she portrayed an alcoholic, and "Fashion," where her character was a cocaine addict. "That was a phase of my life. Call it method acting or just youthful exploration - it was all part of the experience," she explained.

She further elaborated that she was influenced by her surroundings on film sets, where she often saw people smoking. However, she acknowledged that her mindset has since changed. "If you compare today’s Kangana with the young Kangana, you’ll see that I’ve matured. I now know right from wrong and wouldn’t engage in the same behaviors," she said, adding that her past curiosity about drugs stemmed from a desire to understand the characters she was portraying.

When pressed about whether she experimented with drugs, Kangana clarified, "I didn’t experiment with any drugs. I did my research by talking to people and understanding their experiences."

She then questioned why her achievements aren't given the same attention as her past. "Why focus on whether or not I did drugs? Why not highlight that I was a 15-year-old girl who, despite all the fame and money, didn’t become an alcoholic, drug addict, item girl, or a high society prostitute? I became who I am today, and that’s what should be recognized."

This isn't the first time Kangana has addressed the issue. During the pandemic, she shared a video on Instagram, where she admitted to having used drugs in her teenage years. In the video, she described how she became a film star and a drug addict within two years of leaving home, saying her life was in turmoil until a friend introduced her to yoga, which eventually helped her turn things around. She credited Swami Vivekananda as her guru, who guided her on the path to self-improvement.