Bollywood actress and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut has resolved her long-standing legal battle with veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar. On Friday (February 28), the actress shocked everyone after posting a picture with Akhtar on Instagram. She also revealed that the matter has been resolved and that Akhtar has agreed to write songs for her next film.
Along with their photo, Kangana wrote on her Instagram story, "Javed ji and I have resolved our legal matter (defamation case) through mediation."
She added, "In the mediation Javed ji has been very kind and gracious, he also agreed to write songs for my next directorial."
Earlier today, the actress was spotted outside a Mumbai court. Kangana, who is currently managing her film shoots as well as her newly-launched cafe in Manali, was seen wearing a simple pink saree as she left the court premises amid security.
A few days back, a Mumbai court had granted Kangana "one last chance" before issuing a non-bailable warrant against her, as she had skipped a mediation meeting to settle the long-standing defamation case between her and Akhtar.
Kangana had reportedly informed the Bandra court that she was attending Parliament, which is why it became difficult for her to appear before her court.
Kangana Ranaut and Javed Akhtar's legal battle
The legal dispute between them traces back to a meeting at Akhtar's residence in March 2016. At the time, Kangana and Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan were making headlines over a controversy involving exchanged emails that had escalated into a public feud. Akhtar, reportedly close to the Roshan family, allegedly arranged the meeting and urged Kangana to apologise to Hrithik.
The actress did not respond immediately, but in 2020, following the alleged suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, she publicly recounted the 2016 meeting during a televised interview. Akhtar deemed her remarks defamatory and subsequently filed a defamation complaint against her.
The legal battle escalated when Kangana countered with her own complaint, accusing Akhtar of attempting to pressure her into apologising. However, the Dindoshi Sessions Court has since stayed the proceedings against Akhtar.
In December 2024, both parties had agreed to mediation.
