One True Queen with Substance!
Manikarnika : The Queen of Jhansi
So much of our history is full of
Courage and Heroics, which can be made into legendary films. Manikarnika is one
of those Legendary films. We all have read about The Queen of Jhansi and know
that she was the pioneer to sprout the idea of a free One complete Bharat
Varsha. Her courage and connect to the people at large made her the legend known
as “Jhansi Ki Rani.” A true Queen a rear
Jewel in the Indian freedom fight with all the mettle of a fearless Warrior, Governor,
Strategist and above all a True Leader. Manikarnika
is all about this one True Queen with substance, hence you will see her occupy
almost all the frames of the movie. I have no complaints as it is absolutely
well deserved.
I don’t think any debutant
director would have picked up a historical representation and portrayal of
larger than life Hero like The Queen of Jhansi. Kangna Ranut gets full marks
for directing along side Krish Jagarlamudi known for his work in Telugu Cinema.
Technically the war scenes and sword
fight sequences are exceptionally perfected. However, the emotional side of the
queen and her early life incidences require missing finesse. The initial sword
tutorial sessions seem unfitting on Kangna who plays Manikarnika. But she
pretty much makes up for them in the second half whereby she excels every move
with extreme resilience and rigor making her credible for a warrior queen who
has been playing with swords and horses since childhood. Every dilemma, emotion
and helplessness of the situation that transforms into this courage that comes from within her, are these intense expressions of eyes, Kangna almost gives you goosebumps.
The Patriotism that makes every woman in Jhansi fight for her queen is a voice
that can shake the Himalayan ranges. Kangna playing this warrior queen is the
ultimate tribute well given. Manikarnika may
have well been dramatized and parts of other characters been reduced, but it’s
purpose to show the life, choices, mental and physical strength of a woman with
forward thinking, will give you an experience of history coming alive in front
of your eyes. The dampener is the scripting for East India company whereby they
have hardly any dialogues to deliver other than the few short ones on repeat
mode. The gruesomeness has been
purposefully kept low. However, one can imagine the real intensity of these wars.
We should be watching Manikarnika along with our children, as this tale should
replace fairy tales. Our children ought to know, what real courage and being fearless
means? In today’s world where petty issues become the deciding factors for
governance, and hashtags rule. The reality of what it real means to stand for
something right and making hard choices needs to be reminded. I am glad that creative
arts allow and make space for Manikarnika
to remain immortal and our privileged generation to inspire and course
correct. I never give stars to any movie in my review but I would give Manikarnika : The Queen of Jhansi 4
stars out of 5 for the fact to have been made. It will be a shame for any Indian
anywhere in the world to ever miss an opportunity to watch it. The review would
be incomplete without the mention of the end that left me feeling and thinking “Khub
ladi Mardani woh to Jhansi wali Rani.” Jai Hind!
No comments:
Post a Comment