KANGANA Taken Over Direction Of Manikarnika, biopic on “Jhansi Ki Rani ,“ To Be Released On January 25
THE feature film on Rani Lakshmibai, who was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi and is acclaimed as one of the leading figures of the 1857 War of Independence against British rule, will hit the screen on January 25, 2019. The title of the film is Manikarnika, her maiden name. Born to a Maharashtrian Brahmin family in Benares, Rani Lakshmi Bai laid down her life fighting the British at Gwalior at the age of 30 in 1858 and still remains source of patriotism .The film was earlier supposed to release in April this year. While the titular role is being played by Bollywood’s noted star Kangana Ranaut, it also features Atul Kulkarni as Tatya Tope and Ankita Lokhande as Jhalkarbai. The Rangoon famed star and reportedly one of the highest paid Indian actors shared a behind-the-scenes image of her look on social media. Dressed like a warrior, Kangana, originally from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, can be seen with blood on her face. Hollywood action director, Nick Powell is giving her directions as she holds on to a sword, ready for battle.”The Warrior Queen, getting ready to battle. #KanganaRanaut, bloodied & resilient, shoots for #Manikarnika’ s Action sequences with Hollywood Action Director Nick Powell.Manikarnika will be released on 25th January, one day ahead when India celebrates its Republic Day on January 26 to pay homage to those who sacrificed lives besides hearths and home fighting colonial rule.Her father was Moropant Tambe . Mother Bhagirathi Sapre aka Bhagirathi Bai who passed away when Manikarnika was four years old. Her father was cousin of Nana Sahib. Her father worked for a court of Peshwa of Bithoor district now in Uttar Pradesh. The Peshwa brought up Manikarnika like his own daughter. Peshwa is equivalent to Prime Minister. The Peshwa nick named her “Chhabili” which means “playful”. She was educated at home and was more independent in her childhood than others of her age. Her studies included shooting, horsemanship, fencing and Mallakhamba with her childhood friends Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope. They played major roles in the 1857 rising against foreign rule. While Nana Sahib led the Kanpur rebellion, Tope was a brave general .He was later captured, admitted the charges made against him saying that he was answerable to his master the Peshwa only and none else. He was executed in 1859.The biopic on the illustrious queen was initially being directed by Krish and produced by Zee Studios in association with Kamal Jain & Nishant Pitti. Principal photography began in May 2017.In August 2018, Ranaut took over the project as director. Kangana Ranaut and the makers are reshooting the major portions of ‘Manikarnika. The teaser is expected to be launched on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, with the trailer being targeted for mid-November. It is hoped that the younger generation will be apprised of life and struggle of the brave and uncompressing lady MANIKARNIKA when our values and idealism are at discount (with image courtesy to The Indian Express)