Kangana Ranaut has stirred a fresh conversation after recalling her experience during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The actress revealed that she was partying with her team at the time, completely oblivious to the tragedy unfolding outside.
According to the actress, she was shooting for a film directed by Mahesh Bhatt — whom she refers to as ‘Bhatt Sahab’ — when the attacks took place. Kangana explained that the film crew was kept in the dark to maintain the mood on set.
Speaking about that night, Kangana shared, as per reports, that Bhatt Sahab had told them they would not have known otherwise because the crew was confined to a hotel. She recalled how they were partying while the city was under siege, only learning the full extent later.
What Kangana said about those hours
In her recounting, Kangana said she had no idea about the coordinated attacks across Mumbai. ‘We were in a hotel, shooting, and then we were told to just stay there. We partied, we didn’t know what was happening outside,’ a source close to the actress quoted her as saying.
The actress emphasised that it was Mahesh Bhatt who deliberately kept the information from the cast and crew, believing it would disrupt their work. She stated that the director’s decision allowed them to continue without panic, but in retrospect, she finds the contrast between her experience and the city’s horror striking.
Kangana’s comments have divided opinions online, with many pointing out the insensitivity of partying during such a tragedy, while others understand the context of being unaware.
Netizens react to the revelation
Social media was quick to react. Some users slammed the actress for what they called a ‘tone-deaf’ anecdote, questioning how anyone could party while a mass casualty event was happening nearby. Others defended her, saying she was following the director’s instructions and had no access to news.
‘She was just doing her job. Blame the management, not the artist,’ wrote one user on X. A different user countered, ‘Even if you didn’t know, reading the room now should make you feel something. This isn’t a fun story.’
The controversy comes at a time when Kangana is already in the spotlight for her political and film projects. The actress has not issued a follow-up statement.
26/11 in Bollywood memory
The 2008 attacks, which claimed over 160 lives, have been referenced in multiple films and interviews. Some Bollywood celebrities have shared their own stories of being affected, but Kangana’s account stands out for its casual tone.
Mahesh Bhatt, who directed films like ‘Woh Lamhe’ and ‘Murder 2’, has previously spoken about not informing his cast during the attacks. In old interviews, he said he made a conscious call to shield the actors from the reality to maintain the creative atmosphere.
As of now, neither Mahesh Bhatt nor the film’s producers have responded to the renewed discussion. Kangana is currently promoting her upcoming project and has not addressed the backlash directly.