Says Kangana, "After the awards at the celebration party an actor who seemed a little drunk walked up to me and smiled condescendingly to congratulate me for winning the award for a small film. I was immediately upset. Small? How is Gangster a small film? Are they talking about budgeting?
It's a 8-9 crore film. Is that chicken-feed? We shot the film in Seoul where no Indian film has been shot before. The plot takes the characters to two different countries. The largeness of the canvas is unquestionable. I'd rather be proud of such a small film than be ashamed of some big film where I'd be tucked away in an invisible corner. And I said so to the actor."
Apparently Kangana who already has a reputation for not mincing words made her displeasure on the size of Gangster very clear to the actor. Several onlookers heard raised voices.
She laughs, "There were no raised voices. I just made my point very clear. Gangster isn't a small film. I'm now doing some so-called big films. And I'm equally proud of both."
The actress has for now, stopped signing new films. "I'm listening to new scripts every day. But nothing that excites me enough to grab another offer.
I'd rather wait to for Anurag Basu's Metro and Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom to come out in Februray and April before I say yes to any of the new offers.
It's so difficult to follow up Gangster and Woh Lamhe with something equally exciting. I envy Kareena for getting Omkara. I'd love to work with directors like Vishal Bhardwaj and Madhur Bhandarkar. In fact I'll be listening to Madhurji's script soon."
Good times ahead in 2007?
"Very good times," laughs Kangana. "2006 gave me some heartburns specially about my sister's injury and some unsavoury rumours about my fall-out with the Bhatts. I think things will be far more peaceful this year."