Appearing on The Anupam Kher Show, rising star, Kangana Ranaut talked candidly about life before stardom, who she is as a person and how movies like Fashion and Queen changed her career.

On her family's disapproval, struggles before she got her big break and her debut *Gangster*

Kangana shared that she was from a small town, where her grandfather was a member of the Legislative Assembly and very well-respected. She ran away from home, at the age of 16 to pursue a career in acting, which led to her being shunned by her family and the community.

"That was the worst period of my life," Kangana said about the first few months away from home.

However, she found solace when she walked into Arvind Gaur's acting workshop.

"There are some people who are like guardian angels, who show you the right path. I think Arvind Gaur is that person to me."

Later, she met a casting director at an audition in Bombay, who introduced her to Mahesh Bhatt and Anurag Basu, giving her a chance to audition for Gangster.

Though Kangana was initially rejected for looking too young, she got the role because Chitrangada Singh, who was initially selected for the role had dropped out of the movie.

"Informing my family that I got the role made them even more depressed," joked Kangana. "Telling them that the director of Murder was making the movie and Emraan Hashmi was the lead didn't help either."

She said her father threatened that he'd come and terminate her contracts but it all worked out in the end.

On Fashion and Queen being watershed moments

When asked about what motivates her, the actor said, "Many elements drive you, from opponents to parents or family members belittling your parents. I feel negative people can really drive you in a positive way."

Although she was reluctant about Fashion, she calls it "the turning point" of her life.

"I had always been a leading actress so doing a small role [in Fashion] didn't thrill me," Kangana admitted. "But somehow I knew it was my last chance and I worked really hard."

Her other significant movie, Queen, which passed the 100 crore mark, was a completely different movie from Fashion; a film about innocence. When asked about becoming a feminist role model after Queen, Kangana responded, "I don't know how to be a role model but I hope in the future I do become a person with credibility, such as Amir Khan."

Who is Kangana Ranaut as a person?

Kangana said being judged doesn't anger her, but it does irritate her.

"People say that they [people associated with the film industy] are gold diggers," the actor narrated.

Kangana's future ambitions include directing a movie in the Himalayas and writing a book.

The starlet confessed she's a romantic: "I like intellectual boys with a spiritual touch. I'm also very fond of poetry."

She shared her starstruck moment, when Amitabh Bachchan sent over flowers and an appreciation note for her work in Queen.

"When I recall his words from the letter, it still gives me goosebumps," Kangana reminisced.

The refreshingly honest and ambitious 27 year-old actor will be seen next in Rensil D'Silva's Ungli, which is releasing later this year.