Actor-turned BJP MP Kangana Ranaut recently spoke candidly about the reality of being a Member of Parliament, offering honest thoughts on her time in office since 2024. Famous for her outspoken nature and no-holds-barred approach, Kangana did not spare anyone as she explained her political experience thus far as much more challenging than she had been initially made to understand.
In an interview with Times Now, Mandi MP disclosed that she was informed that her parliamentary duties would only take 60 to 70 days of attendance per year. This led her to believe that she could just keep on with her film career and other projects for the rest of the time. “I was told Parliament doesn’t work every day, only around 60–70 days a year.”. The other time, I could attend to my own work,” she said. But things, as it turned out, have been different.”.
Kangana referred to politics as a “very costly hobby,” noting that even though she earns a monthly salary of about ₹1.24 lakh as an MP, she mostly has only ₹50,000–₹60,000 in hand after subtracting the expenses of keeping people in a team, traveling around her constituency, and settling people’s complaints. “If you are truthful, you cannot earn money in politics,” she further said.
She further revealed that her parliamentary work is psychologically exhausting. With Mandi being so big and far away, she spends hours on the road, many times responding to emergencies involving personal tragedies, medical crises, or natural disasters. “People call me at midnight and they’re crying… someone’s daughter is missing, someone is in the hospital. There is so much pain in the world,” she said. “You feel helpless, like a bubble that’s going to burst. There’s no control.”
While Kangana is adamant about sticking to her job, her words betray the realization of the huge gap between public service and her past life in film. Unlike the controlled, artful confines of a movie set, politics has plunged her into the deep end of actual challenges and public demands.
Interestingly, her comments occur at a period when her parliamentary attendance has also been in the limelight. Reports indicated that although she was active in the early stages, she was absent during most of the 2025 Budget Session, generating question marks over her involvement with legislative matters.
Her insights have led to discussions about the fantasy vs. reality of political life, particularly for actors moving into politics. With increasing duties, a hectic schedule, and personal compromises, Kangana now acknowledges that juggling politics with her film career is much more complicated than she imagined.
Whether this marks a greater involvement in politics or future reconsideration of her double career path is unknown. But for now, Kangana Ranaut’s odyssey serves as a reminder that the political world is no weekend job–even for someone accustomed to being under the limelight.
