Manikarnika movie review: Kangana Ranaut turned director for Manikarnika.
Post multiple controversies, Kangana Ranaut starrer Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi has finally released in theaters. The film is based on the life and times of the historical queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi Bai. The movie has released alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Thackeray.
Krish and Kangana Ranaut directorial Manikarnika also marks the Bollywood debut of Hindi television star Ankita Lokhande of Pavitra Rishta fame. Ankita, who plays Jhalkaribai in the historical drama, said that the movie is about women empowerment.
“How women came together, fought and won the battle. The film basically is about women empowerment, women standing up against the wrong and in my perspective, the film is releasing at a very right time because we all are witnessing a change in India where everybody is waking up to women’s power,” Ankita had said in an earlier interview with indianexpress.com.
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Manikarnika also features Atul Kulkarni, Jisshu Sengupta, Danny Dengzonpa, Suresh Oberoi and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub among others in significant roles. The movie’s script is penned by KV Vijayendra Prasad of Baahubali: The Beginning fame with dialogues by CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi.
There is not a single complex thought in this nearly three-hour movie, which runs out of steam in the third act because it needs to repeat its battle scenes ad nauseam to fill up the time till the end. It’s all kept deliberately simple (in some places, even simplistic), linear, first this happened, then this happened, and then. We the viewers have to do no work to get with the movie’s plan: we just have to sit back, go with the flow, flabby and clunky in bits, and admire Ranaut blazing on the screen.
Also Read | Manikarnika movie review: Kangana Ranaut owns the period drama
Designer Neeta Lulla was given the task of creating ensembles for some of the cast members including Kangana Ranaut, who portrayed the titular role, Ankita Lokhande (Jhalkari Bai), Jisshu Sengupta (Raja Gangadhar Rao) and Danny Denzongpa (Ghulam Ghaus Khan). Lulla, who has earlier won the National Award for Costume Design for historical dramas like Devdas and Jodha Akbar, gave a glimpse of the process with videos and sketches on Instagram.
Also Read | Neeta Lulla gives a sneak peek into the making of Manikarnika costumes and jewellery
Sonal Chauhan shared on Twitter, "Watched @ManikarnikaFilm, a film I’ve been waiting for. #KanganaRanaut has outdone herself yet again. What a powerful n flawless performance. Can’t imagine any1 else as #RaniLaxmibai. Fantastic direction, beautifully shot. Leaves you Infused with a feeling patriotism??Go watch it"
Actor Parvin Dabas shared on Twitter, "Saw #Manikarnika #ManikarnikaTheQueenOfJhansi .@ManikarnikaFilm yesterday night at a special screening...brilliant rendering of one of the most important and iconic figures in Indian History...congrats to all involved for making and backing this film @ZeeStudios_ @shariqpatel"
Kangana Ranaut earlier told PTI, "I’m just a new director on the block, what’s the big deal? I see there is a lot of sexism involved in this – a woman, doing an epic action film and directing it. That’s something even Hollywood was struggling with. When Wonder Woman came people were like ‘oh a woman director making an action film’ but when the film worked well, they all praised a woman pulling this off. There is clearly a deep rooted sexism."
Actor Gurmeet Choudhary tweeted, "???? ???? ?? ?? jhaansi wali raani ??!! Witnessed the very amazing #manikarnika and I must say the performances, action sequences, cinematography, the feeling of patriotism was all too perfect. Kudos to the whole team and a must watch! #ManikarnikaMovieReview @ZeeStudios_"
Raveena Tandon took to Instagram and wrote, "Congratulations @team_kangana_ranaut. After watching the movie yesterday I am very sure this is going to bring the change in the perspective of the minds of the people that women by their own can't achieve what they dream of. The movie is a treat to watch and makes one proud that we are born of the same soil as our brave sheroes were, loved the performances by all,Directing this magnificent extravaganza seems like a challenge which you have successfully and effortlessly fulfilled. A sincere heartfelt Wish for your success as you embark on this new journey.Godbless always , love Raveena ♥? #manikarnika."
Parvin Dabas shared on Twitter, "Saw #Manikarnika #ManikarnikaTheQueenOfJhansi .@ManikarnikaFilm yesterday night at a special screening...brilliant rendering of one of the most important and iconic figures in Indian History...congrats to all involved for making and backing this film @ZeeStudios_ @shariqpatel"
Vivek Agnihotri tweeted, "This Republic weekend, let's salute India's biggest warrior queen, one of our bravest freedom fighters, Rani Lakshmi Bai! Trust me you will love it. A must for every Indian. #KanganRanaut is the finest talent we have. Take a bow Kangana and @ZeeStudios_"
Pritish Nandy wrote on Twitter, "Ok guys, go and watch #Thackeray today. (Nawaz is a great actor.) Watch #Manikarnika too. (The irresistible Kangana Ranaut.) But after that go home, sit down and binge watch the 1st season of #FourMoreShotsPlease on Amazon Prime. It’s on. @PritishNandyCom @RangitaNandy"
Milan Luthria posted on Twitter, "Wishing one of my favourites #KanganaRanaut all the best for #ManikarnikaTheQueenOfJhansi which is getting rave reviews. More power to you ??"
“Kangana has once again immortalized Rani Laxmi Bai who was lost in the history books. I think Kangana Ranaut was born to play this character. Everybody has done a great job in the film,” veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar said at the screening of Manikarnika.
What keeps us with Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi is Rani Ranaut, who in her best moments, owns her part, the narrative, and the screen.
Also Read | Manikarnika movie review: Kangana Ranaut owns the period drama
"#Manikarnika epitomizes valour, commitment & passion of an Indian woman who left a mark on the nation's history & its struggle for freedom. This wonderful work of Indian cinema instills immense national pride. Congratulations. -Sg @KanganaFanClub @prasoonjoshi_," Sadhguru said via Twitter.
Taran Adarsh tweeted, "#OneWordReview…#Manikarnika: POWERFUL. Rating: ???½. Inspiring movie that has scale and soul... Kangana, take a bow. You’re terrific... First half could be tighter. Second half awe inspiring... Climax brilliant... Power, pride, patriotism - this has it all. #ManikarnikaReview"
Ram Gopal Varma shared on Twitter, "Hearing extraordinary things about #Manikarnika ..Can’t wait fo see the Rani of Jhansi #KangnaRanaut"
Film trade analyst Girish Johar said, “Manikarnika will be the highest non-holiday, woman-led opener with a collection of Rs 12-13 crore on the day of its release.”
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Kangana Ranaut said, "In spirit, I am a lot like her. But, my spirit hasn’t been tested the way her spirit was tested. She was put in very extreme circumstances. I would know how much of a Manikarnika I am only if I was put into that kind of situation, where I would be pressed against the wall. That’s exactly when you know who you really are. In Life Of Pi, there is a beautiful scene where a vegetarian person has to eat raw fish to survive. Same way, life can test you in a way you cannot believe and you realise the kind of things you can do to cope with it. I would like to believe that I am very dignified, but that is because I always had the option of being dignified. What if I didn’t have that option, then I don’t know what I would do."
Also Read | Manikarnika actor Kangana Ranaut: I have had to fight for everything
Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari wrote on Twitter, "For every woman who is a warrior within to fight her battles on the path to freedom.For every little girl who represents Rani Laxmi Bai.The fearless human who inspires & has infinite love for our beloved country.Yesterday & today her spirit continues. #KanganaRanaut #Manikarnika"