After much delays and controversies, Zee Studios finally dropped the trailer of its highly anticipated period-drama Manikarnika — The Queen of Jhansi on Tuesday morning.
Though it has been directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, it can be easily mistaken for a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, courtesy its grand palatial sets, elaborate war sequences and ornate period costumes.
At the heart of it all is Kangana Ranaut, who plays the titular role of the fierce warrior and mother, Rani Lakshmibai, a queen determined to win the independence of her beloved kingdom. With Amitabh Bachchan’s rich baritone voice setting the stage for the historic battle, Manikarnika’s makers have left no stone unturned to make the film a brilliant spectacle.
POWERFUL… BRILLIANT… Teaser of #Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi… Stars Kangna Ranaut… Directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi… 25 Jan 2019 release… #RepublicDayWeekend… #ManikarnikaTeaser: https://t.co/dsgUnAB58n pic.twitter.com/toYaBjd3Ya
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 2, 2018
Manikarnika has been creating controversy ever since it was announced. First, its director Krish Jagarlamudi abandoned the ambitious project midway, forcing Kangana to take up his role, which reportedly did not go down too well with actor Sonu Sood, who was playing Maratha Army commander-in chief Sadhashivrao Bhau in the film. He quit the project, saying he could not work under an incompetent director. However, Kangana blamed his exit on his refusal “to work under a woman director”.
Next the film’s producer, Zee Studios’ business head Sujay Kutty, was sacked for agreeing to hike the film’s budget from an estimated Rs 60 crore to Rs 125 crore. Now most recently, actor Swati Semwal, who was to play Sadhashivrao’s wife Parvati in the film, has also quit the project, saying her role in the epic drama was no longer as important as it was when she came on board.
Written by KV Vijayendra Prasad of Baahubali fame, Manikarnika also stars Zeeshan Ayyub, Ankita Lokhande and Jisshu Sengupta in key roles.
Originally slated to release later this year, it is now expected to hit theatres on January 25, 2019.
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