Manikarnika Movie Review

Manikarnika
Manikarnika

Manikarnika movie review

Jhansi Ki Rani, the pioneer of the Indian freedom struggle was also one of the most popular woman freedom fighters of India. Call her Manikarnika or Rani Lakshmi Bai, she is the brave heart who fought with stunning valour and courage against the British till her last breath. Rani Lakshmi Bai not only tried to prevent her kingdom from being annexed by the British after the death of her husband but also waged a grand war against the East India Company.

Actress Kangana Ranaut in her historical flick “Manikarnika” brings to us the glory of the Queen of Jhansi which is released today. Read on to know what the film has to offer you.

Directed by – Krish, Kangana Ranaut
Produced by – Zee Studios, Kamal Jain, Nishant Pitti
Written by – Prasoon Joshi (Songs & dialogues)
Screenplay by – K. V. Vijayendra Prasad
Story by – K. V. Vijayendra Prasad
Starring – Kangana Ranaut, Atul Kulkarni, Jisshu Sengupta, Ankita Lokhande
Narrated by – Amitabh Bachchan
Music by – Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Cinematography – Kiran Deohans, Gnana Shekar V.S.
Edited by – Rameshwar Bhagat, Suraj Jagtap
Production company – Kairos Kontent Studios

Plot: Depicting India of the nineteenth century, the movie Manikarnika presents selfless love for the motherland. This biographical film depicts the life of Queen of Jhansi who was born in Bithoor and at a young age was married to Gangadhar Rao, the King of Jhansi. After the marriage, Manikarnika was renamed as Rani Lakshmi Bai, the Queen of Jhansi. The plot of the movie encircles the life of the queen from her childhood days to her fight for independence. It covers how Rani Lakshmi Bai fought for her people and ultimately became a warrior queen.

Movie Review: Manikarnika starts with the voice of Amitabh Bachchan narrating the saga of India before independence. The attention of the viewers throughout the movie is captivated towards how the wealth of India is being drained by the Britishers and rulers being deprived of their kingdoms. Kangana presented as the warrior queen in the movie is shown as a champion athlete. Coming to the cinematography, we must say the movie cuts an impressive figure. The grizzly bloodbath, the fierce action scenes and also the screenplay is grand. The film employs several visual effects that appear pleasing to the eyes. Both Kangana and Ankita Lokhande, who is making a debut with this movie are experts in handling swords. Kangana is expressive and has the ability to fit in the frame of a queen. She appears effortlessly amazing as the Queen.  Danny Denzongapa as Ghulam Ghaus Khan is very convincing in his role as chief of Rani Laxmi Bai’s army. And, yes, Suresh Oberoi makes a comeback of sorts and immerses in his role as Peshwa,  one forgets it is Suresh Oberoi roleplaying it. Now, coming to the supporting cast, actors like Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Jisshu Sengupta and Atul Kulkarni have put maximum efforts to justify their roles. Ankita, who is not given much space on the screen has also delivered her best. The British officers played by Richard Keep and Edward Sonnenclick have not much to deliver in the movie. They appear merely as the caricatures in the movie who have failed to exhibit the fierceness of the Brits. The music of the movie is good enough to suffuse the feeling of patriotism in the environment. Overall, both the parts of the movie along with action and music makes it a decent watch.

Our Verdict: The strong thread of entertainment and grandeur throughout the film is enough to get you stuck to the movie throughout. There are fierce dialogues in the movie which awake a patriotic fervour within. As 26th January is around the corner, you can go to watch this movie to strengthen your feeling of patriotism towards the motherland.