Ahead Of Thalaivi, Here Are 5 Kangana Ranaut Films That Prove Her Skills

Kangana Ranaut best performances to watch on her birthday: The trailer of Kangana Ranaut's upcoming biopic Thalaivi was launched today. The 34-year-old actor who celebrates her birthday today, won a National Award on March 22, for her performances in the films Manikarnika and Panga. While you may love to hate Ranaut's political stance and opinion, there is no denying that she one of the most talented actors of our times. There has to be some mettle to any actor who claims four National Awards, isn't it?

So here are five Kangana Ranaut films to rewatch, as Thalaivi's theatrical release draws closer:

Tanu Weds Manu: The 2011 film that made Ranaut a mainstream name who could carry a film on her shoulders was a romantic comedy featuring a small-town rebel who simply couldn't make up her mind about marriage and love. Also starring R Madhavan and Jimmy Shergill, Tanu Weds Manu has much to love, a lovely soundtrack, spicy dialogues, small-town flavour and a great chemistry between its lead pair that no one had predicted. The film has to feature in this list because it helped Ranaut break the mould of troubled characters that she was known to have played in the past.

Queen: After a stint of choices that Ranaut has herself called "tacky" the actor consolidated her position as not just a bankable star but a nuanced performer with the 2014 film Queen. The film gave us a more subdued Ranaut, who explores friendship, independence and individuality as Rani. A lot has gone wrong for Queen these past few years. One wonders how we can shake off allegations of sexual misconduct raised against the film's director and Ranaut's own controversial social media stint. If only we could remove all the controversy that followed this film to rewatch it without feeling awkward.

Tanu Weds Manu Returns: If Ranaut was pleasant in Tanu Weds Manu, she was splendid in the sequel. Such was the conviction with which Kangana Ranaut played a double role in this film, that you actually feel that you are looking at two different women, who look strikingly similar. Again, peppered with the familiar small-town flavour and catchy dialogues like "Reebok nahi to Rebook hi sahi" Tanu Weds Manu Returns has actually aged better than most of Ranaut's previous films. Not perfect, but still enjoyable.

Judgementall Hai Kya: As Bobby, Kangana Ranaut drags you down a rabbit hole of abusive partners, gas-lighting and psychological warfare in this thriller, also featuring Rajkummar Rao. Since the film didn't enjoy much box-office success or critical acclaimed, it remains one of Ranaut's lesser-appreciated performances, shadowed by those that did well on the box office or earned her awards.

Panga: The 2019 film for which Ranaut recently won a National Award indeed draws a performance worth rooting for from the actor. Ranaut plays Jaya Nigam, a thirty-something mother who makes a comeback as a professional Kabaddi player. Despite its many flaws, you cannot help but cheer for Jaya in Panga, a married middle-class working mom, who refuses to let age stop her from dreaming big.

Image Credit: PTI