Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has jumped on the viral social media bandwagon. She joined the popular "2026 is the new 2016" trend that is currently sweeping the internet. Ranaut shared a nostalgic throwback picture from the year 2016 on her Instagram account. She accompanied the photo with a lengthy and emotional caption.
Kangana Ranaut Recalls a Turbulent 2016
In her post, Ranaut looked back at a pivotal year in her life and career. She described 2016 as a period of extreme highs and devastating lows. The year followed her massive back-to-back blockbuster successes with films like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. These hits catapulted her to the top. She became the highest-paid actress in the industry at that time.
However, the success quickly turned sour. Ranaut called the aftermath "poisonous." She stated that her life transformed into a "living hell." The primary reason for this shift was a major controversy. It involved her and fellow Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan.
The Hrithik Roshan Controversy Explained
For those unaware, a huge public feud erupted between Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan. It began after Ranaut referred to Roshan as her "ex" in several media interviews. She publicly claimed to have had a personal relationship with him. Hrithik Roshan firmly denied these allegations.
The situation escalated rapidly. Roshan sent Ranaut a formal legal notice. He demanded a public apology from her. Kangana Ranaut refused to apologize. She later alleged that powerful forces in the industry tried to silence her. This refusal sparked a long and bitter conflict.
The feud played out in the courts and across media headlines for years. It involved a series of legal battles, leaked private emails, and even cybercrime complaints. Forensic investigations were also part of the messy drama. The industry itself became divided. People took sides, creating a clear split between so-called "insiders" and "outsiders."
Looking Back with Perspective in 2026
Now, a full decade later, Kangana Ranaut is sharing her thoughts with new clarity. She wrote about the passage of time in her Instagram post. Ranaut mused that if she had known in 2016 what 2026 would be like, she would have suffered less.
"Ten years ago had I known in 2026 I will be eating carbs in all my meals, will be laughing a lot and none of the 2016 drama would mean anything to anyone few years down the line, honestly I would have not been so miserable back then," she wrote. She ended her reflection on a positive note: "Thank God it's not 2016 and we are in 2026."
Other Legal Entanglements
The Hrithik Roshan case was not her only legal issue. In 2020, veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar filed a defamation case against Kangana Ranaut. He took legal action after Ranaut claimed in an interview that Akhtar had asked her to apologize to Hrithik Roshan. Akhtar also alleged that Ranaut dragged his name into the Sushant Singh Rajput case controversy. This particular legal matter was finally resolved in the year 2025.
Kangana Ranaut's Current Work Front
On the professional front, Kangana Ranaut remains very busy. Her last film appearance was in the 2025 release Emergency. She has a packed lineup of upcoming projects that fans can look forward to.
Her next film is titled Bharat Bhagya Vidhata. Excitingly for her fans, she is also set to reprise two of her most iconic roles. Sequels to her hit films Queen 2 and Tanu Weds Manu 3 are both expected to release this year. Another major project in the pipeline is Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda.
