Bollywood actress-producer Kangana Ranaut is “honoured” and “elated” after securing a ticket from the country’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
After the announcement of BJP’s fifth candidate list, Kangana posted on X, “My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janta party ( BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Loksabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Loksabha polls.
“I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party. I look forward to be a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant. Thanks.”
Kangana, who has always remained a supporter of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last year had expressed her wish to contest the parliamentary elections.
Kangana had said she would contest if Lord Krishna blessed her.
The 37-year-old actress, who hails from Himachal Pradesh’s Bhambla, has a career spanning for two decades.
Among other top names featured in BJP’s fifth candidate list are former Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay from West Bengal’s Tamluk, industrialist Naveen Jindal from Kurukshetra.
The Lok Sabha elections will be held from April 19 to June 1 in seven phases. The counting of polls will take place on June 4.
Kangana is known for her portrayals of strong-willed, unconventional women in female-led films.
She is the recipient of several awards, including four National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards, and has featured six times in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list.
In 2020, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.
In the early phase of her career, she received accolades for her performance in movies like Woh Lamhe… (2006), Life in a… Metro (2007) and Fashion (2008).
She appeared in the commercially successful films Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2009) and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010).
She worked in other movies like Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), Queen (2014) and Tanu Weds Manu (2011).