Kangana Ranaut credits great-grandfather for her 'main character energy' during Pitru Paksha
Synopsis
Kangana Ranaut's Pitru Paksha tribute to her great-grandfather Sarju Singh Ranaut — a freedom fighter and politician who died at 102 while she was filming Tanu Weds Manu — reveals the personal roots of the public persona: the 'main character energy' she is known for, she says, came from him.
Key Takeaways
Kangana Ranaut shared a tribute to her great-grandfather Sarju Singh Ranaut on social media during Pitru Paksha .
Sarju Singh Ranaut passed away at the age of 102 , while Kangana was filming Tanu Weds Manu .
Kangana credited her great-grandfather with giving her the confidence and 'main character energy' she carries today.
Sarju Singh Ranaut was described by Kangana as a freedom fighter and a renowned politician .
Kangana, originally from Himachal Pradesh , regularly pays tribute to her roots and family on social media.
Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut paid a heartfelt tribute to her great-grandfather, Sarju Singh Ranaut, during Pitru Paksha, sharing what she described as the last photograph taken of him before his passing at the age of 102. The post, shared on her social media account, offered a rare and personal glimpse into the formative relationships that Kangana says shaped her identity.
What Kangana Shared
In the accompanying note, Kangana wrote: 'Since pitru paksha is going on here is the last picture of my great grandfather when he passed away at 102. When I was small, dada ji adopted me, every thing that I am today I owe it to my dada ji because he always sang a song to wake me up in the mornings, allowed me to play his Secretary when the landline phone rang, he laughed like a laughing Buddha and I could play on his shaking belly and he scolded my parents for being strict with me.'
She added: 'He gave me the main character energy that I have today, he made me feel seen, heard and loved. When he passed away I was filming Tanu Weds Manu, he was immensely proud of me. Thank you dada ji.'
Who Was Sarju Singh Ranaut
Kangana described Sarju Singh Ranaut as both a freedom fighter and a renowned politician, crediting his influence for the confidence and outspoken personality she is widely known for today. According to the actress, it was her great-grandfather's warmth and belief in her that gave her a sense of self-worth from an early age.
The Tanu Weds Manu Connection
Notably, Kangana revealed that Sarju Singh Ranaut passed away while she was on set filming Tanu Weds Manu — the 2011 romantic comedy that marked a significant turning point in her career. The film went on to become a major commercial and critical success, and its sequel, Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), earned her a National Film Award. The detail underscores how closely her professional milestones and personal losses are intertwined.
Kangana's Public Voice
The Himachal Pradesh-born actress, who also served as a Member of Parliament, is known for her candid and frequently unfiltered presence on social media. Her posts regularly reflect strong personal opinions, pride in her home state and its culture, and — as this tribute illustrates — a willingness to share emotionally significant personal moments with her followers.
As Pitru Paksha — a fortnight observed by Hindus to pay homage to deceased ancestors — continues, Kangana's tribute has resonated with fans who see it as an unusually personal window into her background and the values instilled in her during childhood.
Point of View
One of Bollywood's most polarising figures, is publicly tracing her combativeness and self-belief to a freedom fighter and politician from rural Himachal Pradesh. That lineage — real or selectively curated — is central to the persona she has built across both the film industry and electoral politics. The Pitru Paksha timing also signals a deliberate cultural positioning: this is a deeply Hindu observance, and anchoring a personal family story within it speaks to an audience Kangana has been cultivating carefully since entering politics. The story of a girl whose great-grandfather let her 'play secretary' is, in her telling, the origin story of a woman who refuses to be managed by anyone.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sarju Singh Ranaut?
Sarju Singh Ranaut was Kangana Ranaut's great-grandfather, described by her as a freedom fighter and renowned politician. He passed away at the age of 102 while Kangana was filming Tanu Weds Manu.
What did Kangana Ranaut post during Pitru Paksha?
Kangana shared what she called the last photograph of her great-grandfather Sarju Singh Ranaut, along with a personal note recalling childhood memories and crediting him for shaping her confidence and personality. She said he gave her the 'main character energy' she carries today.
What is Pitru Paksha and why is it significant here?
Pitru Paksha is a fortnight observed by Hindus to pay homage to deceased ancestors through rituals and remembrance. Kangana chose this period to share the tribute, framing it as an act of ancestral gratitude in keeping with the observance.
What was Kangana Ranaut filming when her great-grandfather passed away?
Kangana was filming Tanu Weds Manu, the 2011 romantic comedy, when Sarju Singh Ranaut passed away. She noted that he was 'immensely proud' of her at the time.
How has Kangana Ranaut's family background shaped her public persona?
Kangana credits her great-grandfather with instilling self-worth and confidence from an early age, attributes she says define her outspoken personality. She is originally from Himachal Pradesh and frequently expresses pride in her state and its culture on social media.
