From the archives: How Kangana Ranaut's 'Queen' became the passport to Bollywood's new journey

MUMBAI: Once upon a time in Bollywood, where formulaic love stories reigned supreme, a new powerhouse emerged, wielding the scepter of change - Kangana Ranaut's 'Queen'. It is worth mentioning how in 1995, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's reel European escapade in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (DDLJ) established a gold template for romance dramas that Bollywood would replicate for years to come. After almost two decades arrived 'Queen' – a modestly budgeted film that dared to send the tried-and-tested trope packing with Kangana's tour de force performance.

Instead of a love story, we were presented with a tale of self-love. Rewriting the itinerary of Indian cinema and bidding adieu to the love-in-a-foreign-country cliche, 'Queen' decided it was time for a solo trip. Gone was the hero sweeping the heroine off her feet in picturesque European locales. In its place, we witnessed the journey of a sheltered Delhi girl getting dumped by her fiancé right before the pheras and going for a solo European vacation, ultimately discovering herself.

In multiple films, we've seen the heroine pining for her hero across time zones, however 'Queen' envisaged a protagonist who found herself lost in translation and loved every minute of it. While dealing with the bitterness of her break-up, Kangana's Rani embraced the liberation of not needing a husband to show her the Eiffel Tower, romanticised by couples all over the world. The genius of the film lies not just in its premise, but in its execution. Portrayed with refreshing finesse by Kangana, Rani journeyed from Delhi's galis to Amsterdam's canals with her arc emerging as a masterclass in character evolution as she danced to the tune of her newfound freedom.

'Queen' earned Kangana her second National Award for Best Actress, following her win for Fashion in 2008. This prestigious recognition fortified her status as one of the finest actors of her generation, who could helm projects without the need for a male superstar. Giving her leverage in choosing projects, the cult film endeared her to a wider audience, shifting public perception of her from a niche, intense actor to a versatile performer capable of embodying a range of roles. It inspired other filmmakers to create women-centric films, indirectly generating more opportunities not just for Kangana but for other actresses as well. Moreover, it offered her credibility to voice her opinions on gender equality in the film industry and beyond.

Fast forward to the climax of 'Queen', when Rani walks away from her ex-fiancé, head held high and spirit soaring, Kangana simultaneously bade the first farewell to a hardened cinematic convention. It crowned a new era of the Indian film industry where the damsel causes distress to outdated notions of romance and self-worth. And that, dear cinephiles, is a trip worth taking again and again.