Saturday, March 29, 2025
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – September 18, 2025
Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut found herself at the center of controversy during her visit to flood-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. While interacting with locals, Ranaut spoke about her personal financial troubles, revealing that her Manali restaurant earned just ₹50 in a single day, despite her responsibility of paying nearly ₹15 lakh in staff salaries.
A viral video from the visit shows Ranaut appealing to locals to understand her pain. “Imagine what I must be going through… Yesterday, my restaurant did business of only ₹50. I have to pay ₹15 lakh in salaries. Please understand my pain too, I am human as well,” she said while addressing a woman asking questions about the flood situation.
Earlier this year, Ranaut had announced the launch of her first café, The Mountain Story, in Manali. However, business has been severely hit following heavy rainfall, landslides, and flash floods that devastated parts of Kullu, Manali, and Mandi.
Ranaut’s visit was not without opposition. In Patlikuhal, a rain-battered area of Manali, some locals held black flags and raised slogans of “Go back Kangana, you are late.” Residents accused her of arriving too late to address their concerns.
Himachal Pradesh has faced repeated spells of torrential rain in recent weeks, triggering deadly landslides and flash floods. In Mandi district alone, three members of a family lost their lives, while several Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses were swept away. Shops and houses suffered heavy damage, and at least one person remains missing.
Ranaut, who was elected from Mandi in the recent Lok Sabha elections, was on a ground tour to meet affected families and review relief measures. However, her attempt to connect with people by sharing her own hardships drew mixed reactions, with many questioning the timing and sensitivity of her remarks.
