Actress Kangana Ranaut has joined the ‘2026 is the new 2016’ trend, and is using it to look back at an important year in her career. On January 17, he posted throwback photos from 2016, which he described as a time of professional highs as well as personal turmoil. The post included a mirror selfie, a still scene Rangoon With Shahid Kapoor, and a photo with Arjun Kapoor. In her message, Ranaut talked about how 2016 changed her life and career.

Her post alluded to her legal battle with Hrithik Roshan, which garnered major attention in 2016. Without naming them, Ranaut referred to a legal notice she received in January, which she said contributed to a divisive environment in the film industry. He described his professional achievements before the controversy and the personal and public challenges that followed.

“Why is everyone suddenly missing 2016? It was the inevitable surge in my career, after back to back blockbusters like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns I became the highest paid actress, but then in January of 2016 one of my colleagues sent me that controversial legal notice which rocked the industry and divided the industry into insiders and outsiders. Success became poisonous and life became a hell. Sides were taken. And many more legal battles were fought,” Ranaut wrote.

Take a look at the post:

The conflict began when Ranaut called Hrithik Roshan an “ex” in interviews and suggested a personal relationship, which Roshan rejected. He sent a legal notice demanding an apology, which Ranaut rejected, resulting in a lengthy legal and media battle. The situation eventually stabilized by the end of 2016.

Ranaut expressed her gratitude for how her life has changed since then: “Ten years ago if I had known that in 2026 I would be eating carbs in all my meals, laughing a lot and none of the dramas from 2016 would mean anything to anyone a few years from now, honestly I wouldn’t have been so sad. Thank God it’s not 2016 and we’re in 2026,” indicating that she would be happy with the decade. The perspective that has been gained.

Ranaut highlighted her success in 2016 with films like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Noting, “It was the inevitable ascent of my career path, after back-to-back blockbusters like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, I became the highest paid actress.”

He commented on the impact of the legal notice: “But then in January 2016, a colleague of mine sent me that controversial legal notice, which rocked the industry and divided it into insiders and outsiders. Success became poisonous, and life became hell. Sides were taken, and many more legal battles followed.”

Her post also explained how over time, the events of 2016 have diminished in significance: “Ten years ago, if I had known that in 2026 I would be eating carbs at all my meals, laughing a lot, and none of the drama from 2016 would mean anything to anyone a few years from now, honestly, I wouldn’t have been so sad back then. Thank God it’s not 2016 and we’re in 2026. Are,” she wrote.

Looking ahead, Ranaut has a number of projects lined up. Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata, Queen 2, and Tanu Weds Manu 3Production is expected to begin in early 2026. She will also be seen in Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda And it features an untitled psychological thriller. His recent work includes emergencyReleased in 2025.