‘Gatta Kusthi 2’ Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi Gushes Over ‘Mad Genius’ Kangana Ranaut, Gets Trolled (Watch Video)
South Indian actress Aishwarya Lekshmi is facing significant online backlash for her recent comments praising Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut as a 'mad genius' and admirer of her parliamentary speeches. The controversy stems from a June interview clip that went viral on July 27, 2026, while promoting her latest release, 'Gatta Kusthi 2'.
Aishwarya Lekshmi, a prominent figure in South Indian cinema, has found herself in the eye of an online storm, drawing criticism and praise in equal measure for her candid admiration of Bollywood's outspoken actress-turned-politician, Kangana Ranaut. The controversy erupted on social media recently as a clip from a June interview went viral, igniting a fervent debate among netizens. ‘Gatta Kushthi 2’ Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi Firm on Social Media Hiatus, Says ‘I Never Felt Safe There’.
What Did Aishwarya Lekshmi Say About Kangana Ranaut?
During an interview with Galatta Plus in June, conducted while promoting her film Gatta Kusthi 2, Aishwarya Lekshmi openly expressed her admiration for Kangana Ranaut. Lekshmi stated, "I love Kangana Ranaut. I feel like she is a mad genius." She further elaborated, praising Ranaut's journey and communication skills: "I like how she taught herself to talk well and be a good orator. I love the speeches she gives in Parliament. I'm a big fan of hers."
Aishwarya Lekshmi's Words of Praise for Kangana Ranaut
Freedom of expression ceases to exist when leftist sentiment is hurt & they call themselves a liberal.
Aishwarya Lekshmi expressed her views or admiration on @KanganaTeam & now she's trolled.
Hypocrisy at it's best
Kudos to Aishu mam#AishwaryaLekshmi #KanganaRanaut pic.twitter.com/xgjNAwLXNp
— Agnik Kundu (@kundu_agnik) July 27, 2026
Lekshmi also linked her appreciation to a broader professional philosophy, adding, "Profile is not just working with the biggest names. Profile is what you bring to the table." Kangana Ranaut, known for her four National Film Awards for Best Actress, entered politics in 2024, winning the Lok Sabha election from the Mandi constituency as a BJP candidate.
Backlash for Aishwarya Lekshmi
The resurfacing of the interview clip around July 27, 2026, quickly led to a divided response on social media platforms. Many users criticised Aishwarya Lekshmi, expressing disappointment and questioning her decision to praise Ranaut, particularly given Kangana's often controversial public and political stances. Comments ranged from outright disapproval like "Eww" to more direct critiques such as "What a disappointment Aishwarya Lekshmi has been lately!". Some even speculated that Lekshmi might be attempting to emulate Ranaut's career path.
How Netizens Reacted to Aishwarya Lekshmi
Conversely, a segment of the online community came to Lekshmi's defence, arguing that her comments focused purely on Ranaut's oratory skills and professional growth, rather than endorsing her political views. They emphasised that expressing admiration for a fellow artist's work should not automatically invite criticism.
As of today, July 28, 2026, Aishwarya Lekshmi, who is reportedly not active on social media, has not issued any public statement regarding the ongoing discourse.
Watch Aishwarya Lekshmi and Vishnu Vishal's Full Interview:
Aishwarya Lekshmi's Latest Release
Amidst the social media uproar, Aishwarya Lekshmi is currently enjoying the theatrical success of her latest venture, Gatta Kusthi 2. The Tamil-language sports comedy, which also stars Vishnu Vishal, premiered in theatres on July 3, 2026. The film has reportedly garnered a worldwide box office collection of over INR 55 crore. Is ‘Ratsasan 2’ Happening? Vishnu Vishal Shares Update on His Acclaimed Thriller’s Sequel.
For those who missed its big-screen run, Gatta Kusthi 2 is slated for its digital debut on Netflix on July 30, 2026, and will be available to stream in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2026 01:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
