Kangana Ranaut Faces Backlash Over Comments During Visit to Flood-Hit Manali

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has sparked controversy after visiting flood-affected areas in Manali, where she spoke more about her personal business losses than the struggles of local residents.

During her visit, which came weeks after heavy rains and landslides caused major damage in Kullu and Manali, Kangana told reporters and locals that her restaurant, The Mountain Story, earned only ?50 in a day, while she has to pay ?15 lakh in salaries. She asked people to understand her pain and not “attack” her.

“I have a home here too. I’m going through a lot. My restaurant had almost no business. Please don’t treat me like I’m some queen from England doing nothing,” she said.

Kangana also pointed out that she is a local resident and a single woman, asking people not to judge her unfairly.

Her comments, however, did not go over well. Many criticized her for focusing on her own loss instead of showing concern for the people who lost their homes and livelihoods. The timing of her visit—long after the floods hit—also drew criticism.

One local, Geetesh Thakur from Patlikuhal, said:

“Instead of talking about herself, she should have come with help. She’s our MP—we expect support in tough times, not just complaints about the state government.”

Kangana also accused the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of diverting central relief funds, though she provided no evidence to support the claim.

The disaster has left large parts of the region in ruins, with families struggling to rebuild their lives. Locals were hoping for support and leadership from their elected representative—but many felt let down by Kangana’s focus on her own problems during their time of crisis.