Manikarnika movie review: Kangana Ranaut’s war epic has many moments of genius

Updated Jan 25, 2019 | 16:29 IST | Shibaji Roychoudhury
Critic Rating:

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi has been co-directed by Kangana Ranaut, who also plays the title lead in the film. The movie also stars Ankita Lokhande, Jisshu Sengupta, Danny Denzongpa among others.

Kangana Ranaut in Manikarnika The Queen of Jhansi
Manikarnika The Queen of Jhansi stars   |  Photo; Credit: YouTube;

'Khoob ladi mardaani woh toh Jhansi waali Rani thi' – call her Rani Laxmi Bai, Manikarnika or the warrior queen, she is inarguably the most popular woman freedom fighter India has produced till now and only one of the few who made it to our history books as a name to be reckoned with. So, actress Kangana Ranaut had a huge responsibility on her shoulders when she decided to bring alive the great warrior queen on the big screen. Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi lives up to the hype.

It is no Sanjay Leela Bhansali war-drama, but the makers have ensured that the film got the scale it deserved. To begin with, the cinematography is breathtaking right from the word Go. Amitabh Bachchan’s voiceover brings back memories of another epic period piece Lagaan while Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of one of the most iconic women in Indian history is certainly praise-worthy. Her nuanced grasp of the rebel warrior-queen will certainly win you over.

But the best part about the film is its action choreography, especially in which women are featured. Be it Kangana herself or popular TV actress Ankita Lokhande, who made her Bollywood debut as Jhalkari Bai in the movie, the women actors as fighters are flawless with the sword and nothing like what we have seen in the past. Despite the fact that Lokhande doesn’t get much opportunity to showcase her mettle with her dramatic acting chops, she very much makes up for it with her skill with the blade. Even the extras (women) were phenomenal with the weapons.

The sound design and score of this film are on point - they will invoke every emotion of that hunger for freedom in you despite the story being set in a period more than 150 years ago. The individual performances by the supporting cast are minimal yet memorable. Atul Kulkarni is excellent as Tantia Tope but doesn’t get enough screen-time. Jisshu Sengupta, who plays Maharaja Gangadhar Rao - the husband of Rani Laxmi Bai, is more than just impressive. Suresh Oberoi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda too deliver their bit.

Danny Denzongpa as Ghulam Muhammad Ghouse Khan had the same charisma on the big screen as he did in films like Khuda Gawah, Hum and Agneepath. But don’t worry, he fights for the right side in this one. The music in the film too is riveting and refreshing despite its patriotic overtones.

However, no film is perfect and neither is Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi and Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. While there are enough action sequences in the film to keep you constantly engaged, there are certain bits in the last 40 minutes of the film, which take away from an otherwise exceptional directorial venture.

First, the screenplay in the second-half is comparatively weak, especially during the third act. Kangana’s accent is annoying and what was a strength of the film in the first two acts (action choreography involving the women), resorts to the same old world of slow-motion and still camera during the climax. There are also a number of continuity issues and lack of motivation in the film that you’ll realise when you see it.

But most importantly, the villain in the film is weak, one without conviction, on-screen charisma and at no point seems menacing. Also, Bollywood really needs to stop making these white actors speak in distorted Hindi. Just sounds bizarre and pointless. Be that as it may, there is still enough in Manikarnika for you to want to cheer the warrior queen till the end of her story.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Overall, Manikarnika has many moments of genius and enough fire to keep you glued to the screen. Kangana’s performance as the iconic Rani of Jhansi is worth every penny spent. So, if you are looking to feel patriotic this Republic Day and watch a visually stunning bit of cinema, go for this one with friends and family and you’ll have a great time at the theatres.

Review by: Shibaji Roychoudhury
Rating: 4 stars

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