Kangana Ranaut has once again grabbed social media attention by joining the viral Instagram trend, “2016 is the new 2026.” But true to her bold persona, Kangana didn’t just post a nostalgic throwback — she reopened memories of one of Bollywood’s most controversial chapters, her highly publicized legal feud with Hrithik Roshan. While the dispute ended years ago, the actress reflected on how deeply it once impacted her life and career.
Sharing a carousel of throwback photographs from her peak years, Kangana left fans reminiscing about her golden era in Bollywood. From Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns to Krrish 3, the actress ruled both the box office and award circuits through the mid-2010s. In her caption, Kangana asked, “Why is everyone suddenly missing 2016?” before diving into a candid reflection of that turbulent phase.
She wrote that following the massive success of Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, she had become the highest-paid actress in the industry. However, just as her career was soaring, January 2016 brought an unexpected storm. Without naming Hrithik directly, she referred to receiving a controversial legal notice from a colleague — a moment that, she said, shook the industry and divided it into insiders and outsiders. According to Kangana, her success soon turned “poisonous,” and life became a “living hell” as legal battles and public scrutiny followed.
The actress admitted that at the time, she couldn’t imagine that a decade later, none of that drama would hold relevance. Expressing gratitude for time’s healing power, Kangana wrote that if she had known in 2026 she would be laughing freely, enjoying life, and eating carbs in every meal without worry, she would not have suffered so much in 2016. She ended her post by thanking God that those dark days were behind her.
For context, in early 2016, Hrithik Roshan sent a legal notice demanding an apology after Kangana referred to him as a “silly ex” in an interview, igniting speculation about their alleged relationship. He later accused her of sending excessive emails, while Kangana responded with a lengthy counter-notice claiming intimidation. The dispute spiraled into a media frenzy, dividing Bollywood, before a cybercrime investigation eventually settled the matter by late 2016.
On the professional front, Kangana was last seen in Emergency, a film she directed and co-produced, portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She now has a psychological thriller and Bharatha Bhhagya Vidhata lined up next.
From blockbuster highs to personal storms — Kangana’s reflection proves time truly changes everything.