Qudsia Anam Khan

The movie Manikarnika: the queen of Jhansi has left me speechless. Kangana Ranaut is a hero in every sense. She has essayed the role of the legendary Rani Laxmibai with full justice. It felt as if she was living and breathing the legendary figure. Although each character has been depicted and acted by excellently, no other character in the movie brings about the passion, the fervour and that gut wrenching heart wrenching patriotic feeling like Kangana. The intensity in her eyes and the heaviness in her tone do absolute justice to the burning desire of freedom. The movie begins on a grand scale and picks up momentum after the interval. In fact as soon as the second half begins, one cannot take their sight away from the screen. One after the other war sequences keep your heart pumping like crazy. However it is only the last battle which pays in its absolute truest form, a well deserved homage to Rani Laxmibai. The special effects in it are definitely never seen before for a woman centric film. The first half depicts the princess's journey, her childhood days, her fearlessness in every aspect of life, subsequent marriage and being cheated by the insiders. The warrior queen comes to life on the big screen beautifully, bravely and courageously after the interval. Kangana has also done a fabulous job with direction. Right from the scenes where she is seen winning over the hearts of the villagers to empowering women and teaching them battle skills, all falls into place. The songs Vijayi Bhava is fantastic but the song Bharat ye rehna chajiye is something that stays with you even after you leave the cinema hall. Finally we have a queen that is depicted for her legend, bravery and courage and not for her heavy jewellery and tons of clothing (which are collectively heavier than her own bodily weight as depicted in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie). We the audience in the theatre couldn't help but give a thunderous round of applause to the team of the movie for making this movie a spectacular treat. A patriotic film well deserved for the Republic Day. A must watch for everybody kids, adults and the elderly. So many details of the entire political scenario of the battle of Jhansi are brought to the notice of the masses through the film. The poisoning of Rani Laxmibai's child and husband to the sacrifice made by Jhalkari bai to the bond of trust between Tatya Tope and Laxmibai. Truly outstanding. Kangana Ranaut is truly artistically and creatively blessed. It's worth mentioning that this is the only actress who started major reforms in the industry that she works in like women empowerment and spoke against major issues like nepotism publicly. A power house of talent that picks up national awards back to back. There is something about her in a good way that separates her from the other top actresses. Kangana is a true inspiration to both men and women and is an epitome of how to hold on to your self-belief in trying situations and circumstances and prove yourself through your body of work. Goosebumps garunteed all through the second half and even after you leave the theatre. After watching the movie, you will certainly feel like contributing and that too proudly, to your own country in your own way. A definite must watch, no other way about it. An honest 4 stars out of 5. May the legend of Rani Laxmibai win over the box office as much as it does over our hearts.