WATCH: Love, Respect I Receive Second Only to Amitabh Bachchan, Says Kangana Ranaut; Netizens React

Shimla: In a recent political rally in Himachal Pradesh, Bollywood actress and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut drew parallels between herself and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, claiming she is the second most beloved figure in the film industry.

“I can confidently say after Amitabh Bachchan ji, I am the one who gets warmth, love and respect from everyone in the industry,” she said.

The statement quickly went viral, sparking a mix of support and criticism across social media platforms.

Ranaut’s speech also included a notable slip-up where she confused her party colleague Tejasvi Surya with RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, leading to a humorous exchange online. The BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency described the opposition as an assembly of “spoiled princes,” inadvertently including Surya in her critique, which was originally aimed at Yadav.

The gaffe prompted a playful retort from Yadav, who posted a video of Ranaut’s speech with a quip questioning her identity. This incident added to the pre-election fervor, as Ranaut is set to contest against Congress’s Vikramaditya Singh, the son of the late Virbhadra Singh, a six-time chief minister, and Pratibha Singh, the state Congress leader.