The Me Too movement against sexual harassment at workplace gained momentum in India after actress Tanushree Dutta accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her. Since then, women in the Hindi film industry have become more vocal about the issue. Kangna Ranaut, who is currently promoting her forthcoming film, Manikarnika, said that the movement definitely “has some significance.”

Speaking about the women coming forward and calling out their culprits, the Queen actress said, “People will think twice now because of certain things that were reported. Earlier, everyone knew about some five-six names, but no one was doing anything about it. Today, they are out there exposed. Though that may not seem enough, it has some significance.”

Earlier, on a talk show, Rani Mukerji said, “It is important for women to believe in themselves and say that if they don’t want it to happen, it will not happen”. The Mardaani actress was heavily trolled on social media for saying that women should be responsible for their own safety.

Kangana went on to defend Rani for that statement and said, “Maybe Rani was not able to articulate herself, but if you see the way she leads her life, she is the epitome of women’s empowerment. Anyone who knows her wouldn’t find her weak or timid. There are people who talk a lot, but they don’t necessarily live up to it.”

Kangana, who has previously spoken about director Vikas Behl’s inappropriate behaviour, opened up about her own experience of being harassed in public.

“I was once pinched on my butt in the middle of a group and that person was right there, looking at me. It was not even sexual, it was like ‘I did exactly what I was not supposed to do.’ And looking me in the eye like, ‘what are you going to do now?’ So, what do you expect? I think somewhere we should tell girls that there are a few rules. Don’t say maybe when you want to say no, it’s important. Your safety doesn’t mean you can do Taekwondo and karate. It also means you go to someone who can save you; it may be a teacher, an uncle you trust, a friend, or the Mumbai Police, or go to the media, find a journalist and expose them. So, to tell them this and then get severely trolled for it, is horrible,” the actress said.

Kangana Ranaut’s next film, Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi is a film that captures the life story of Rani Laxmibai. Directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi and Kangana, the film also stars Danny Denzongpa, Ankita Lokhande, and Atul Kulkarni.

Helmed by Zee Studios and Kamal Jain, the film is slated to release on January 25.