How Successful is Successful enough to question Kangana?
How Successful is Successful enough to question Kangana?
Shimla, Aug 25,
Himachal Pradesh Mandi constituency Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut may have just offered a rather unusual definition of success — one in which professional achievement does not merely earn recognition, but also determines whose opinion is worth listening to.
In a video that has now entered the latest round of debate around the actor-turned-politician, Kangana takes on her critics with characteristic bluntness. Responding to criticism from several public figures, she essentially argues that those who have not achieved even one per cent of what she has achieved have little standing to advise or lecture her. Her comments were reported on August 24–25 amid her continuing public exchanges with figures including Taapsee Pannu, Sonu Sood, Ashutosh Rana and Baba Ramdev.
The video was shared on social media by Vijender Mehra, the Left leader, bringing an interesting political dimension to what might otherwise have remained another celebrity spat.
But perhaps the more interesting question is not whether Kangana was right or wrong in responding to her critics.
It is this: Has success now become a qualification for having an opinion?
The Kangana parameter
There is a certain logic to Kangana’s argument. She has built an extraordinarily visible career from a relatively unconventional beginning, won multiple National Film Awards, established herself as one of Hindi cinema’s prominent actors and subsequently entered electoral politics.
From that perspective, she clearly believes that her journey gives her a standing that cannot be casually dismissed by people whose own achievements, in her assessment, fall far short of hers.
But this is where the argument becomes much bigger than Kangana.
If achievement determines the validity of criticism, then society effectively creates a hierarchy of voices.
The successful person listens only to someone more successful.
The wealthy listen only to someone wealthier.
The powerful listen only to someone more powerful.
And the famous listen only to someone more famous.
Where, then, does an ordinary person’s opinion stand?
The uncomfortable side of success
Success is certainly a measure of accomplishment. It demonstrates persistence, ability, resilience and, often, extraordinary talent.
But success does not necessarily make a person right.
A person who has never made a film can still identify a bad film. A person who has never held public office can still question a politician. A person who has not built a business can still point out unethical business practices.
Expertise deserves respect. Success deserves admiration. But neither automatically grants immunity from criticism.
That distinction is important, particularly when the successful person is also a public figure.
Kangana is no longer merely an actor. She is a Member of Parliament. Her words therefore operate in a much larger public space. Political statements, social observations and personal opinions naturally invite scrutiny — from people who may have achieved far less than her, as well as from people who have achieved far more.
Also read Kangana Ranaut again chooses her words carelessly, learnt nothing from airport episode -AIDWA
And then there is the irony
There is an interesting irony in Vijender Mehra sharing the video.
Mehra comes from a completely different ideological and professional universe. As a Left leader, his political worldview is frequently at odds with Kangana’s. Yet by circulating her own words, he has helped push the debate beyond the immediate personalities involved.
That may actually be the most useful way to look at the episode.
Kangana may be asking: “What have you achieved to question me?”
The public may reasonably respond: “Why should achievement determine whether your argument is questioned?”
Those are two very different ideas of democracy.
Perhaps the real measure of success
There is another possibility.
Perhaps the greatest sign of success is not reaching a position where nobody can question you.
Perhaps it is reaching a position where you no longer need to prove that you are successful every time someone questions you.
The truly secure person can afford to listen to the successful, the unsuccessful, the admirer, the critic and even the person who has achieved nothing remotely comparable.
Because an argument does not become correct because of the résumé of the person making it.
And a criticism does not become invalid because the critic has not won a National Award, an election or a box-office battle.
Kangana’s latest statement therefore offers something more interesting than another celebrity controversy.
It offers a glimpse into a changing definition of success — one where achievement is increasingly being used not only as evidence of competence, but as a licence to decide who deserves to be heard.
And that is a parameter worth questioning.
Because perhaps the ultimate measure of success is not how many people are beneath you — but how comfortably you can still listen to them.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
