Kanagana Ranaut to judge on Karan Johar’s new show

Actor will reunite with film-maker almost a year after she called him the ‘flag-bearer of nepotism’

Kangana Ranaut’s first appearance on Koffee with Karan stirred quite a lot of controversy. The Fashion actor’s bold and daring statements from the show sparked reactions from many celebs including Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Karan himself.

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Almost a year after Kangana created a storm by calling Karan the "snooty flag-bearer of nepotism" on his show, even suggesting that he ran a "movie mafia", she will reunite with the film-maker on his upcoming talent hunt show.

PHOTO: BOLLYWOOD LIFE

The actor will appear as a guest judge on India's Next Superstar, where Karan will be a judge alongside film-maker Rohit Shetty. The shooting will reportedly commence today.

"I am looking forward to being on the show. It is a professional commitment for which I'm being paid. What is delightful is that Karan is okay with doing the show with me and seems to be slowly warming up to me," Kangana told Mumbai Mirror.

The planned appearance indicates the end of one of Bollywood's most talked about feuds in recent times. Hell broke loose on the sets of Koffee with Karan on February 19, 2017 and later escalated into a battle of the sexes.

PHOTO:FILE

During a session with Anupama Chopra at London School of Economics, the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director opened up. “She was my guest and I had to hear what she had to say. When she says ‘flag-bearer of nepotism’, I want to say to her, I am glad she knows what it means.”

He went on to say that he has not promoted any of his family members in the industry, but instead introduced 13 directors who had no ties with Bollywood.

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He expressed that he was tired of seeing the Tanu Weds Manu star play the woman and victim cards and she should consider leaving Bollywood if she had a problem with how the industry functioned. “I am done with Kangana playing the woman and the victim card. You cannot play a victim every time with some sad story to tell. If the industry is that bad, just leave it.”

PHOTO: FILE

Kangana shot back that she was only playing the 'badass' card to fight cutthroat competition. "I am not fighting Karan Johar, I am fighting male chauvinism." She added that the film industry was not a small studio given to Karan by his father but belonged to every Indian and was highly recommended for outsiders like her.

On Tuesday, Kangana said Karan's new talent show, too, was a platform for outsiders. She cited its tagline: 'Na khandaan, na sifarish... Bollywood ko hai sirf talent ka intezaar'.

"I am the epitome of the tagline being a self-made woman and actor myself, which is precisely why the channel wants me," she said, quick to add that you can have a creative collaboration even with different sets of ideologies. "I have not gone back on my ideology. I stick to what I believe in."

PHOTO: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Kangana and Karan's war of words made 'nepotism' one of the most discussed topics of 2017, even cropping up in an AIB video featuring the actor."I have already written an open letter on it, but I am open to discussing any subject. Nepotism is a great subject to be discussed," she further stated.

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Last year, Karan and Kangana steered clear of each other at several public events. But during a recent media interaction, Karan said if the channel invited her, he and his team would be happy to have her. "Our heart is big; our house is open to all. We will happily, lovingly and respectfully welcome her on the show," he said.

Kangana Ranaut. PHOTO: FILE

Reacting to the statement, Kangana said, "I'm happy that Karan is making me feel so welcome, but I think I have been worthy of every platform I've been on. I've earned my place and deserve to be on it. Nobody has to open any doors for me I am capable of opening all the doors myself."

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