Report by Swati
21 August 2026
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and actor-politician Kangana Ranaut have expressed contrasting views on ‘Vande Mataram’, amid a wider debate over the complete rendition of India’s iconic national song.
Sharmila Tagore Emphasises Inclusivity
Sharmila Tagore has raised concerns over the later stanzas of the song, which contain references to Hindu deities such as Kali and Durga. She argued that such references could make the complete composition difficult for people belonging to monotheistic faiths to recite.
She suggested that the first two stanzas could be retained for public rendition as they are more broadly acceptable across India’s diverse religious communities.
Kangana Ranaut Calls View “Limiting”
Kangana Ranaut strongly disagreed with this interpretation, describing it as “limiting and contrived.” She argued that poetry should not necessarily be interpreted literally or reduced to a religious framework.
Ranaut said the references in great poetry can be understood as metaphors representing freedom, national spirit and inner strength, rather than as a literal religious ritual.She also urged people to move beyond what she described as a “Hindu-Muslim mindset” and view ‘Vande Mataram’ as a unifying symbol of India’s freedom struggle.The contrasting remarks by the two prominent actresses have added a fresh dimension to the ongoing discussion over the cultural, historical and inclusive interpretation of ‘Vande Mataram’.
