Kangana Ranaut and Javed Akhtar Settle Legal Dispute, Withdraw Cases

Mumbai, 1st March 2025: A long-standing legal battle between actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut and lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar came to an amicable end on Friday, as both parties agreed to withdraw their respective complaints following mediation.

The dispute began in 2020, when Akhtar filed a defamation case against Ranaut, alleging that her remarks in a television interview had tarnished his reputation. In response, Ranaut lodged a counter-complaint, accusing Akhtar of criminal intimidation and insulting her modesty.

After years of legal proceedings, both appeared before a special court on Friday, where they formally conveyed their decision to settle the matter.
Ranaut acknowledged that her comments were made due to a misunderstanding and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to Akhtar. “I have the utmost respect for Javed Akhtar as one of the seniormost members of the film industry,” she stated in court.

Following the submissions, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate A K Awari ruled that the complaints were disposed of as withdrawn, citing the mediator’s report and the statements submitted by both parties. The court further declared that Ranaut and Akhtar stand acquitted of all charges, and their bail bonds have been canceled.