In 2020, Kangana Ranaut had caused a stir when she had made a scathing remark about
Urmila Matondkar
by using the terms like 'soft porn' and 'pornstar'. During the Times Now Summit 2024 on Wednesday, Kangana addressed the
controversy
stating that the respect given to
porn stars
in India, citing
Sunny Leone
as an example, surpasses that received anywhere else in the world.
Regarding her earlier statement about Urmila, Kangana clarified that she was responding to Matondkar's question about the basis on which the BJP was entertaining her. She then pointed out the different forms of art, distinguishing between sensational and intellectually stimulating art.
"Is soft porn or pornstar an objectionable term? No! It is not an objectionable term. It is a word that is not socially acceptable. Humare desh mein jitna pornstar ko respect milta hai, puchiye (former adult film star) Sunny Leone se, utna respect poore world mein kisiko nahi mil sakta (No other country treats porn stars with such respect as we do...you can ask Sunny Leone," Kangana said. I was asked to comment on
Urmila
ji (Matondkar) asking on what basis was the BJP considering me for a foray into politics. That was her question. I believe there are different realms of art. Sensational art, the one we refer to as massy art, which only titillates or physically stimulates you, that is also an art form. However, that can never be superior to the art that is intellectually motivating, one which stimulates your mind," Kangana said.
From calling Urmila Matondkar 'soft porn star' to comparing Mumbai to PoK, top 6 controversies of Kangana Rananut
She continued, "I personally believe that I belong to that balanced cinema artiste tribe. I have never done
item numbers
. So, all I said was that if she could join a party (Congress) with her kind of filmography, then I have a more ravishing body of work. In fact, what I am saying is why being a pornstar socially acceptable and not a prostitute? Why do we have this kind of mindset for
prostitutes
while we accept pornstars socially? Is it because they have more money? Do they have (more) glamour? We don't treat prostitutes the same way as pornstars."
Kangana also defended her choice of words, questioning why terms like 'tandoori-murgi,' 'item girl,' and 'Sheila ki Jawani' are accepted while others are seen as violations. She expressed that her intent was not to shame Urmila but to address the roles individuals are comfortable with.
She reiterated her stance against the sexualization of children through item numbers and advocated for adult content to be labeled as such and not shown on television for general consumption. She emphasized the importance of having a genuine desire to be an actress and the audience's role in choosing leaders.
In 2020, Urmila hit out at Kangana for allegedly disrespecting
Jaya Bachchan
, after the veteran actor claimed that the entire film industry was being 'tarnished' in a 2020 speech in Parliament.
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