Kangana Ranaut has expressed her gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after the minister responded to Jaya Bachchan’s remarks about the government’s treatment of the film industry. Jaya Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party MP, recently accused the government of ignoring Bollywood’s struggles, pointing to the closure of single-screen theatres and the financial challenges faced by daily wage workers.
During a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Union Budget 2025-26, Jaya Bachchan claimed that the government was deliberately neglecting the film industry, stating that single-screen theatres were shutting down and that rising costs had kept audiences away from cinemas. She argued that Bollywood was being used for political purposes while its concerns were left unaddressed. In her impassioned plea, she urged the government to provide relief and not target the film industry, emphasizing that Indian cinema plays a crucial role in connecting the nation with the world.
In response, Nirmala Sitharaman’s office countered Jaya Bachchan’s claims by highlighting political actions taken against Kangana Ranaut in 2020. The minister pointed out that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, in which Bachchan’s party was an ally, had demolished Kangana’s office in Mumbai within 24 hours of issuing a notice. Sitharaman’s office also recalled historical instances of political interference in Bollywood, citing figures like Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Dev Anand, and Kishore Kumar, who had faced political backlash in the past.
Reacting to the minister’s statement, Kangana expressed her appreciation, thanking Sitharaman for acknowledging her struggles and for shedding light on the challenges faced by the film industry. She emphasized how her constitutional rights had been crushed by political parties and expressed gratitude for the government’s support and encouragement.
