Kangana Ranaut has come to the defence of singer Maithili Thakur after Thakur faced criticism online for arriving at Lalbaugcha Raja in a Rolls-Royce, according to The Times of India. The reports were published on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
Ranaut responded to those trolling Thakur, asking why people object when artists live well. The Times of India reports that Ranaut hit back at the trolls, while The Indian Express quoted her as saying, "Why can't we live well?" NDTV reported her remark that some people feel hurt when they see others doing well.
Telegraph India and Hindustan Times also carried reports on Ranaut's defence of Thakur, with Hindustan Times quoting the same question about living well. The coverage across the outlets focused on Ranaut's response rather than on any statement from Thakur herself.
The episode centres on Thakur's visit to the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Mumbai during the Ganesh festival season, where she was seen arriving in a Rolls-Royce. The vehicle became the focus of online criticism, prompting Ranaut's public response.
None of the reports cited in the coverage included a direct statement from Thakur addressing the criticism.
What to watch next: whether Maithili Thakur responds publicly to the trolling, and whether the debate over artists' public displays of wealth continues.