From B-grade films, today I’m the number one actress in India: Kangana Ranaut

Bollywood actress is flying high on success and says that 'this is just the beginning'

She is the highest paid actress in B-Town, and she didn't need anyone's help reaching the top. Putting naysayers to shame, Bollywood beauty Kangana Ranaut, has proved her standing in tinsel town and she is not scared to voice it.

"This is just the beginning," Kangana told IANS in an interview, and added that for the "longest time I was struggling and nothing was falling into place, and I didn’t have offers".

Read: When I was struggling people treated me so badly: Kangana Ranaut

"I started from 'B grade films' and today I’m the number one actress of this country... whereas other actresses, whom you might call my contemporaries, they have had no growth in whatever platform they were launched... they are still there and have not risen to another platform," she added.

PHOTO: INDIANEXPRESS

When Kangana looks back at her career, she smiles with pride. The 28-year-old's post Queen phase has seen Kangana featuring in and bagging plum projects -- including Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Katti Batti, Rangoon, Rani Lakshmibai and Simran.

Without naming anyone, the two-time National Award winner said: "Other actresses, who are called my contemporaries, they started with a megastar. They were superstars overnight, and are the same even today."

Kangana earlier harboured dreams of being launched opposite an A-lister. But now she does not feel the need to share screen space with them as she considers herself a "profitable actress".

"Initially, I wanted to do films with A-list actors when I was struggling. I was hoping that I could also get that platform where I'm launched with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan or Aamir Khan... and with them my career could also start, but it didn't happen. And then came Queen," she said, referring to the life-changing effect that the Vikas Bahl directorial brought for her.

Read: 'It's justified': Kangana on being the highest paid female actor in Bollywood

Following that, Tanu Weds Manu Returns also did well.

PHOTO: REDIFF

"Then why should I be dependent on anyone else," questioned the actress, and pointed out that she has the capability "to recover the money that has gone into production" of her films.

She is proud that even though success came late to her, it tastes sweeter.

"Now I'm getting the kind of roles I think I deserve," she added.

Kangana, who hails from Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, doesn't come from a film background and had to start from scratch in the competitive film industry.

Starting from her debut film Gangster - A Love Story in 2006, Kangana has been appreciated for all her performances to date, particularly for her impactful roles in Fashion and Queen.

Kangana will next be seen in Katti Batti alongside Imran Khan. Directed by Nikhil Advani, the comedy thriller will release on September 18.

Here's the trailer of her upcoming film: