Directed By: Krish Jagarlamudi, Kangana Ranaut
Writer: Vijayendra Prasad
Produced by: Kamal Jain, Nistant Pitti
Starring: Kangana Ranaut, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Music By: Ankit Balhara, Sanchit Balhara, Shankar Mahadevan
Cinematography: Kiran Deohans, Sachin Krishn, Gnanasekhar VS
Production Company: Kairos Kontent Studios 
Release Date: 25/01/2019
Language: Hindi
Country: India

Rating: 2.75/5

In the recent past, film Manikarnika is making huge buzz and Telugu people have learnt about the great Queen in their non-detailed lesson. In a script penned by the popular writer Vijayendra Prasad, Kangana Ranaut portrayed the role of 'Rani Jhansi Laxmibhai' and Telugu director Krish Jagarlamudi has co-directed this movie. Ahead of the release, this biographical movie was surrounded with several controversies. After director Krish opted out of the film, Kangana has taken over the direction and her involvement certainly created huge publicity for the film. Has this film reached the expectations? Did the makers present the real story of Jhansi Laxmibhai or did they blend it with some fiction?

Story:

Manikarnika (Kangana Ranaut) marries Jhansi Chakravarthy Gangadhar Rao (Jisshu Sengupta) and post that, Manikarnika will turn into Jhansi Laxmibhai. With her ingenuity and courage, she wins the hearts of people in the kingdom. Around the same time, East India Company attempts to expand its market in India and plans to occupy Jhansi as well. Laxmibhai counters the conspiracy and turns down the helping hand offered by the Britishers. So, the British rulers plan to conquer Jhansi and how Jhansi Laxmibhai fights Britishers and saves Jhansi from them is the rest of the story.

Actors:

Kangana gave life to Manikarnika character and it will remain as one of her best performances. She excelled in emotional scenes and outperformed in war episodes. Her homework to pull off the Queen Laxmibhai role can be clearly seen. Actors Jisshu Sengupta, Danny Denzongpa and Ankita Lokhande have added in their experience and did well in their roles.

Technicalities:

This biographical movie is not easy to present on the silver screen. But, the extravagant sets and good camera work has made the job easy for the director. The technical department is successful in taking the audiences that era. While visual effects will impress you, the background music is racy. Also, the costumes department did well.

Analysis:

It's never easy to bring history on to a silver screen and it becomes a documentary if we do not join it with some drama and fiction. In this matter, writer Vijayendra Prasad and director Krish paid special attention. They made sure to elevate the script with some fiction. The childhood life and growing up days of Manikarnika is presented as a plain textbook lesson. But, the film picks pace after Manikarnika declares war on Britishers. The biographical film has got all the elements that we look out for in a commercial film. The journey of Manikarnika, the problems, chivalry and battles in her life runs the screenplay at the super fast pace. The film presents the emotions & war episodes quite well.

As the story passes by, the story and screenplay falls flat and makes you feel that we are watching the same scene repeatedly. The director majorly concentrated on elevating Manikarnika and gave less priority to other roles. Few scenes certainly raise doubts and make us think if it actually part of the history. The filmmaker has taken extreme privilege and projected Manikarnika as the great warrior. But, he missed elevating the patriotism in the story.

Plus Points:

Storyline
Kangana acting
Technical aspects
War episodes.

Minus Points:

Songs
Emotionally not convincing

Final Verdict: Can be watched for Kangana