Zoya Akhtar finally hit back at Kangana Ranaut, who has been constantly criticising her directorial venture, Gully Boy (2019). The Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer has been termed "mediocre" by Ranaut. She also wondered how the film swept award galas.

Ranaut felt she deserved the accolades for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019). During a media conclave, Akhtar said, "She's gone on every platform and said that she doesn't like my work. I don't mind when she says that Gully Boy does not deserve the awards. I don't care about them."