WCRC Brands Illustrated up till 15 October | Page 57

modest family background – the works! Next, she
destroyed the revered image which insisted that
aspirants needed to be red-hot-sexy, ravishingly
beautiful or stunning Beauty Pageant winners with
a perpetual Colgate smile pasted, accompanied
by cute n’ sweet POVs on life. She was neither
sexy, hot, beautiful nor a Miss India/World/Universe
winner – not even, Ms. Himachal! Nor did she
have any remote connection, through bloodline
or social contact, with any influential Bollywood
Tycoon orhead honcho. Another taboo decimated
was never to do supporting roles – Fashion, Life
in a Metro, Krrish 3 – because then, the chance
of playing heroine was gone. Oh yeah?! Yet
another perception flamboyantly laid to rest was:
cling to thestars because even reflected glory invites
attention, visibility and coverage. Three of her biggest
hits – 2 Tanus and Queen – had fine accomplished
actor co-stars in Madhavan& Raj Kumar Rao but
not conventional stars, so …?? Then yet another
diktat went flying. This one suggested that stars
smartly, cleverly and intelligently do a mix n’ match of
commercial with small-budget stuff, so that both the
masses & classes are addressed. All Kangy’s hits
have been non-formulaic, non-commercial, non-star,
heroine driven films catering to mass audiences who
enjoy script, treatment, content & performance-specific
entertainers … and boy, did they work? Sure Dips,
Piggy Chops & Anushka also dabbled with success
in this area – Piku, Finding Fanny, Happy New Year,
Ram Leela; Mary Kom &Gunday; NH 10&PK–but it
takes rare courage & conviction and a special brand
of passion, focus, self-belief & commitment to take
the path less travelled, fly without a safety net and
consistently do totally non-formulaic, totally
t,
sexy, ho ot
r
e
risky stuff like Rajjo, Tanu, Queen,
h
t
i
e
n
n
s
Revolver Rani& emerge triumphant,
“She wa or a Miss India right? The last, Patthar ke Lakeer
ln
”
beautifu Miss Himachal
commandment is: Constantly
The final – and so,
even
be on the lookout for a Khan
so fitting exit line from this witty,
to co-star with because SRK,
bold, fearless & gifted powerhouse
Salman & Aamir define Bollywood
actress
was the one she – allegedly – sweetly
stardom and a heroine status with
flung back at a reporter when she was [like VidyaBalan
them automatically spells success! Kangy
was a couple of years after her well-publicised triumphs in
has been in Tinsel Town for nearly a decade and not
The Dirty Picture&Kahani] described expansively as The
starred with any of the big 3 or even other mega stars like
Fourth Khan&Female Khan. “For the longest time, I was
Hrithik, Ajay or Akshay. Has it mattered? Check out what
called Ranawat! Then it came to Raut! My family, especially
every single big star [Khans included] have to say about
father & grandfather, frequently called me from home and
the Queen and decide if being eye-candy, sexy prop or
instructed me to correct the name immediately since it was
glam bimbo is better than being a break-out performer who
ruining the family name. Just when the media is getting
connects with the classes & masses, without the help of any
it right, you guys want me to be a Khan? Sorry, with due
big star … A perceptive actress who knows the difference
respect, I have no intention of being a mini Khan!! Thanks
between looking and seeing … An uncompromising
… but no thanks!”
artist who works with complete dedication – felt, thought,
That is true-blue, 40 carat brand confidence in action!
projected and communicated, listened & acted… One who
saves her personality solely for her work and doesn’t bother
to be scintillating company off-screen. Clearly rules don’t
[e-mail]
apply to her!

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