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Manikarnika Review: Kangana Ranaut’s ‘mardani’ act makes up for a poor screenplay; Ankita Lokhande impresses
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi captures the life of Rani Laxmibai like never before with Kangana Ranaut putting up a fiery act but is it worth a shot? Find out.
Movie: Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Manikarnika Director: Krish and Kangana Ranaut
Manikarnika Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
Manikarnika Rating: 2.5/5 stars
“Khoob ladi mardani woh toh Jhansi wali Rani thi.” Kangana Ranaut makes sure to make us feel and absorb these words in under a two-and-a-half hour story of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. Born in Bithoor, Manikarnika was always known for her strength and valour. Kangana sets the pace right in the first 5 minutes with a fiery scene where she is seen hunting down a TIGER. The scene establishes both her human and warrior side as Manu, fondly addressed by her acquaintances, nurses the Tiger after neutralising him with a bow and arrow. That scene is beautifully shot and executed and what follows next is a tiresome first half. The first half captures Manikarnika’s journey from being a solicit book lover, warrior to that of a Rani Laxmibai.
While most of the first half is stretched, there are a few scenes which stand out. Kangana outdoes herself in emotional scenes. The scene where she grieves the death of her son, Damodar Rao, has been executed extraordinarily while the scene where she holds the reign of the kingdom as the widowed Queen will give you goosebumps. Kangana embodies Rani Laxmibai’s trait like a second skin and there is qualm about it but wish that was enough. The second half mostly captures and celebrates the valour of Jhansi Ki Rani who is married to her land, in her own words. However, it seems too much time was spent reshooting the movie as the screenplay by KV Vijayendra Prasad at several points look abrupt.
Good parts first, the action sequences in the second half are choreographed really well even though it looks OTT at some levels. But then again, we have all collectively hooted at the larger than life action sequences of our male superstars, haven’t we? Kangana makes the action sequences and overdramatic emotional scenes believable. Coming to the direction, Kangana seems to have tried too hard to salvage the direction after Krish left the movie midway. But she seems to have done a fair job in most parts. For me, the background score by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara elevated the dull parts in the first half while it added to the irritation in the second. However, the dynamic trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music did not offer much to the plot.
Ankita Lokhande makes an impressive debut as Jhalkari Bai. With minimum screen time, the actress exudes nothing but confidence and it's one of the major highlights of the movie. Apart from Mohammad Zeeshan Ayubb who replaced Sonu Sood as Sadashiv Rao, the supporting cast has been the biggest letdown. Richard Keep played General Huge Rose who was decent though his role could have been more defined. Kangana’s fiery act and Ankita’s confidence deserved a better ensemble surely.
While the direction and cinematography tried to salvage, shoddy VFX were too apparent to ignore. For instance, a scene where General Huge is seen hallucinating about Goddess Kaali will make you laugh out loud. Not just that, Prasoon Joshi’s over dramatic dialogues made us laugh even in tense situations. It seemed like an Ekta Kapoor daily soap script, honestly! It seemed Prasoon was writing those dialogues for Kangana and not Laxmibai.
Vijayendra has taken different chapters from Manikarnika’s life but loses the plot midway. The confusion of what he intends to show is apparent onscreen but Kangana makes up for the poor first half with a ‘’mardani’ act in the second.
If you are wondering about giving a shot to the movie, we say go strictly to see the Queen perform.
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