The long-running feud between Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about controversies. What began as speculation about an alleged relationship eventually escalated into legal notices, public interviews, police investigations, and social media debates that continue to resurface years later.
Here’s a detailed look at how the controversy unfolded.
How the Rumours Began
Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut shared screen space in Kites (2010) and later in Krrish 3 (2013). Following Hrithik’s separation from his then-wife Sussanne Khan in December 2013, rumours about a possible relationship between the two actors started making headlines.
For more than a year, neither actor publicly addressed the speculation.
The ‘Silly Ex’ Comment That Sparked the Feud
The controversy erupted in early 2016 when Kangana, during a media interaction, referred to an unnamed former partner as her “silly ex,” saying she could not understand why “exes do silly things to get your attention.”
Although she never mentioned Hrithik Roshan by name, the comment was widely interpreted as being directed at him, triggering intense media attention and marking the beginning of one of Bollywood’s biggest public disputes.
Hrithik Roshan Denied Any Relationship
Hrithik responded by sending Kangana a legal notice, asking her to apologise publicly and clarify her statements regarding their alleged relationship.
In his official response, Hrithik stated that he had chosen legal channels to resolve what he described as a private matter instead of discussing it publicly.
His legal team also alleged that Kangana had sent him 1,439 emails, claiming the messages amounted to mental harassment.
The actor strongly denied ever being romantically involved with Kangana, making one of the controversy’s most widely quoted statements:
“There are more chances of me having had an affair with the Pope than with Kangana Ranaut.”
Later, Hrithik reiterated his position during television interviews and in a detailed Facebook post.
Paris Proposal Claim and Hrithik’s Response
Kangana claimed that Hrithik had proposed to her in Paris in January 2014 and alleged that they had been in a relationship for nearly seven years, including a period when Hrithik was still married.
Hrithik rejected these claims outright. He stated that his passport records showed he had not travelled to Paris during the period Kangana referred to.
He also questioned the absence of any evidence supporting the alleged relationship.
In his Facebook statement, Hrithik wrote that despite claims of a long-term romance, there were:
- No photographs together
- No eyewitnesses
- No messages proving the relationship
- No engagement pictures
- No souvenirs or personal mementos
He argued that there was nothing that substantiated the allegations.
Sussanne Khan Addressed Viral Photograph
During the controversy, an intimate photograph of Hrithik and Kangana circulated widely online.
Hrithik’s former wife Sussanne Khan publicly stated that the image had been misrepresented and explained that it was taken at a gathering attended by several mutual friends, dismissing claims that it proved a romantic relationship.
Legal Notices and Cyber Investigation
The dispute quickly moved into the legal arena.
In 2016, Hrithik filed a complaint alleging that someone had impersonated him by creating a fake email account used to communicate with Kangana.
The complaint was registered under:
- IPC Section 419 (Cheating by impersonation)
- IT Act Sections 66C and 66D (Identity theft and cheating using computer resources)
Kangana’s legal team responded by claiming her own email account had been hacked before May 25, 2014, arguing that emails received after that date should not be treated as authentic.
Both parties reportedly submitted electronic devices for forensic analysis as investigators attempted to verify the claims. However, the case remained unresolved for years.
Kangana Refused to Apologise
Kangana rejected Hrithik’s demand for a public apology and instead issued a counter legal notice.
She maintained that she would not apologise, describing herself as “not a dim-witted teenager.”
The actress also accused Hrithik of allegedly misusing personal emails and photographs that she claimed belonged to the period when they were in a relationship.
Farhan Akhtar Supported Hrithik
Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar publicly backed Hrithik Roshan through an open letter.
He questioned why there was no documentary evidence to support claims of a years-long relationship, including the absence of messages, photographs or even a picture from the alleged Paris engagement.
His comments further intensified public discussion around the case.
Hrithik’s Appeal Against Online Abuse
Despite the legal battle, Hrithik urged social media users not to indulge in personal attacks.
When the hashtag “Characterless Kangana” began trending online, he posted a message saying:
“It is characterless to judge another. Whatever may be the case. Strangle the anger. Channelise love.”
His statement was widely viewed as an appeal against online harassment.
Crime Branch Summons in 2021
In February 2021, Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch called Hrithik Roshan to record his statement regarding the email impersonation case.
The actor spent over two hours with investigators but did not speak to the media afterward.
Kangana reacted on Twitter, referring to Hrithik once again as her “silly ex” and suggesting he remained stuck in the past while the world had moved on.
Even after years of investigation, the matter did not reach a conclusive legal resolution.
Why the Controversy Returned in 2026
The dispute resurfaced in July 2026 after Kangana Ranaut made controversial remarks about CJP protesters, referring to them as the “Generation Gutter.”
During an interview, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that friends had joked Kangana was targeting him because he resembled a younger Hrithik Roshan.
The comment quickly went viral and reignited public discussion around the actors’ long-standing dispute.
Soon afterward, the hashtag #SorryHrithik began trending across social media, with many users revisiting the events of 2016.
Hrithik Roshan’s Latest Response
Hrithik Roshan later addressed the renewed debate through a comment on Freddy Birdy’s Instagram post.
Without taking sides or reigniting the controversy, the actor emphasized that public discussions should be based on facts rather than shifting public opinion or emotions.
His response signalled that he was not interested in revisiting the dispute through social media speculation.
A Controversy That Continues to Be Discussed
The Hrithik Roshan-Kangana Ranaut controversy remains one of Bollywood’s longest-running celebrity disputes. Over the years, it has involved allegations of a secret relationship, legal notices, cybercrime investigations, public statements, and repeated social media debates.
Although the legal proceedings never reached a definitive conclusion, the controversy continues to resurface whenever either actor is back in the headlines, making it one of the most closely followed celebrity feuds in the Indian entertainment industry.