Kangana Ranaut Backs Isha Koppikar’s "Nation First" Stance, Defining Herself as a "Bhakt" of Her Country
Mumbai, India – Bollywood actress and newly-elected BJP MP, Kangana Ranaut, has publicly endorsed fellow actress Isha Koppikar’s recent declaration of being a "proud andhbhakt," clarifying that her devotion is solely to India and its progress, not to any political party. Ranaut’s support comes amidst a burgeoning conversation about the meaning of patriotism and political allegiance in modern India.
Isha Koppikar ignited the debate earlier this week through an Instagram video where she embraced the often-derogatory term "andhbhakt" (blind devotee). However, she meticulously redefined it, stating, "Yes, I am an andhbhakt. If it is bhakti (devotion) to love your country and want to see it progress, then yes, I am proud to be a bhakt… andhbhakt. But my blind devotion is not towards any political party; it’s towards my country. Nation first. I can question the government and disagree with its policies. And still love my country wholeheartedly.” This distinction resonated deeply with Ranaut.
Sharing Koppikar’s video on her Instagram Stories, Kangana Ranaut articulated her own similar sentiments, drawing parallels from her past actions. "Wow well explained for me as – in high school protested against a teacher who used to hit children in head with stick during assembly, protested against 26/11 violence. Protested against Nirbhaya brutality," Ranaut wrote. She emphasized her self-reliance and dedication to her family’s upliftment: "Never blamed parents for any limitation that may have come my way. Instead uplifted whole family to the same standard of life that I earned for myself.”
Ranaut further expanded on her concept of "bhakti," stating, "Identifies being a bhakt of almost anyone who I meet, I love my country I love my people. I simply love my life.” This broad definition suggests a love for humanity and one’s surroundings, rooted in a deep appreciation for her homeland.
Koppikar, in her original video, passionately articulated her pride in India, calling it her "home, where I have earned and continue to earn a livelihood and where I continue to get opportunities." She urged others to "learn to love that place, respect that place, and contribute to it. Be proud of the home you choose. Because patriotism is not just saying, I love my country. It is doing something that improves your country." Her powerful message aims to reclaim the term "andhbhakt" from its often negative, politically-charged connotation and imbue it with a sense of constructive patriotism.
These recent comments from Kangana Ranaut also follow her earlier, controversial remarks regarding the Gen Z protests at Jantar Mantar. Last month, Ranaut drew criticism for labeling some of the protesters as "Generation Gutter" and condemning their language and demeanor. She had stated, "Never in my life have I seen so much ugliness in one place. These reels from Gen Z protests are puke-inducing. The way they speak and the kind of language they are using… never in my life have I seen everything in each and every frame so jarring and so crass all at once.”
Responding to the backlash, Ranaut later clarified to news agency ANI that her comments were not a sweeping generalization about all youth protesting the NEET-UG paper leak. She explained that she "specifically referred to some people or some women" who had self-identified as "cockroaches." "If people label themselves as cockroaches, and we say that cockroaches emerge from gutters, what is wrong with that?" she questioned, emphasizing that she was reacting to their self-description rather than making a blanket statement about an entire generation.
The ongoing discourse initiated by Koppikar and amplified by Ranaut highlights a broader societal conversation about national identity, political engagement, and the evolving language used to describe patriotism in India. Both actresses appear to be advocating for a form of nationalism that prioritizes the nation’s well-being above partisan politics, inviting a re-evaluation of how "devotion" to one’s country is perceived and expressed.
