Kangana Ranaut on Fashion: 'If I failed, my career was only going down'
Synopsis
Kangana Ranaut once described Fashion as her 'last chance' — and she prepared for it by meeting cocaine addicts, practising in heels at home, and researching drug effects firsthand. The bet paid off with a National Award. It is a rare, unfiltered window into the desperation that can drive a career-defining performance.
Key Takeaways
Kangana Ranaut called Fashion (2008) a make-or-break moment, saying her career had been declining since Gangster .
She prepared by walking in heels at home, practising smoking, and meeting cocaine addicts to research her role as Shonali Gujral .
Kangana won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Fashion .
Co-star Priyanka Chopra won Best Actress at the 54th Filmfare Awards for the same film.
Fashion was written and directed by Madhur Bhandarkar and also featured Mugdha Godse , Arjan Bajwa , and Arbaaz Khan .
Kangana's latest film, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata , released in theatres on 12 June .
Kangana Ranaut once described her role in the 2008 film Fashion as a career-defining gamble — one she could not afford to lose. Speaking candidly on veteran actor Anupam Kher's talk show 'The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai', the actress revealed that her trajectory had been declining since her early lead roles and that Fashion represented her last real shot at staying relevant in Bollywood.
The Career Crossroads Before Fashion
Before Fashion, Kangana had headlined films such as Gangster and Woh Lamhe. By her own admission, her career graph had been on a downward slide since those outings. Aware of the stakes, she resolved to leave nothing to chance in her preparation for the role of Shonali Gujral — a once-celebrated model whose life unravels under the weight of drug addiction.
'I worked very hard for that role. I used to walk in heels even at home, practice smoking cigarettes, research on the use of drugs and their effects, and even met cocaine addicts,' she said on the show.
The Preparation Behind the Performance
Kangana's immersive approach to the role went well beyond conventional rehearsal. She sought out first-hand accounts from people dealing with substance dependence, and internalised the physical mannerisms of her character down to the smallest detail. The depth of that preparation is widely credited for the authenticity her portrayal carried on screen.
'Somewhere I knew that this was my last chance, because if I was not able to perform in Fashion, I knew my career graph was only going down since Gangster,' she added.
The Reward: A National Award
The gamble paid off decisively. Kangana went on to win the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Fashion. The film also earned lead actress Priyanka Chopra the Best Actress honour at the 54th Filmfare Awards, making it a landmark outing for both performers.
Written and directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, Fashion featured Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, and Mugdha Godse in the lead roles, with Arjan Bajwa, Samir Soni, and Arbaaz Khan in supporting parts.
What Kangana Has Been Doing Recently
Kangana was most recently seen fronting Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, which released in theatres on 12 June. Produced by PEN Studios, Manikarnika Films, and Paramhans Creations, along with Eunoia Films LLP and Floating Rocks Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, the film features an ensemble cast including Girija Oak, Smita Tambe, Amrutha Namdev, Esha Dey, Priya Berde, Asha Shelar, Suhita Thatte, Rasika Aghase, Aditya Mishra, and Zahid Khan.
The candid recollection of her Fashion journey is a reminder of how close Bollywood came to losing one of its most decorated performers — and how a single role can rewrite an entire career arc.
Point of View
Which is perhaps why the interview has retained its resonance years after the film's release. The harder question it raises: how many similarly talented actors hit the same crossroads and did not get the right director at the right moment?
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kangana Ranaut call Fashion her 'last chance'?
Kangana revealed that her career had been on a downward trajectory since her early lead roles in Gangster and Woh Lamhe. She felt that if she failed to deliver in Fashion, there was no clear path forward for her in Bollywood.
How did Kangana Ranaut prepare for her role in Fashion?
She adopted an immersive preparation method — walking in heels at home, practising smoking, researching drug effects, and meeting cocaine addicts to authentically portray Shonali Gujral, a model who loses everything to substance abuse.
What award did Kangana Ranaut win for Fashion?
Kangana won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Fashion (2008). Her co-star Priyanka Chopra also won Best Actress at the 54th Filmfare Awards for the same film.
Who directed the film Fashion and who else was in the cast?
Fashion was written and directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. The film starred Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, and Mugdha Godse in lead roles, with Arjan Bajwa, Samir Soni, and Arbaaz Khan in supporting parts.
What is Kangana Ranaut's most recent film?
Kangana was most recently seen in Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, which released in theatres on 12 June. The film was produced by PEN Studios, Manikarnika Films, and Paramhans Creations, among others.
