After months or preparation and controversies, Kangana Ranaut has finally stepped into the character in Manikarnika. And she plays not just a queen, she plays the warrior queen who embodies strength and valour in India – Rani Laxmi Bai herself.
As pictures from the Jaipur shoot schedule of Kangana’s ambitious project found their way to internet, it is clear that her Laxmi Bai will go beyond the obvious tropes Indian cinema associates with presenting a queen. Her look is more unisex with a sword and turban signifying her warrior status.
Talking about her character and how she recently got injured on the sets during a sword-fighting scene, Kangana had told a daily, “But when you talk about Laxmibai, she was the general of an army. She was an extraordinary woman. How many battles she fought in the prime of her youth! She was like a ‘killing machine’. So it would be a shame to try to get into character superficially through clothes, make-up, hair styles and jewellery. And if you give blood to play such a woman, it’s worth it. To be honest, I’m only happy. You can’t hope to immortalise the greatest warrior of all times without having a battle scar on your face. So it’s justified.”
Manikarnika is written and directed by K Vijayendra Prasad who has penned films such as Baahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. It also stars Ankita Lokhande and Vaibhav Tatwawaad. It will hit the theatres on April 27, 2018.
Share This Post
