Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi - Sivagami revisited

 

Manikarnika: Queen of Jhansi

2019, Hindi

Directed by Radha Krishna "Krish" Jagarlamudi and Kangana Ranaut

Stars Kangana Ranaut, Jisshu Sengupta, Danny Denzonpa, R. Bhakthi Klein

Mohan's Measure ⭐ ⭐ 

It can be only the fates that would allow me to watch this powerful movie for the first time on the celebrated second anniversary of its release.

Indeed, there is something sacred to the way the story of the Queen of Jhansi plays itself out before us; and it owes everything to the lead actress, Ms. Kangana's phenomenal performance.  She presents herself as less the Queen of Jhansi than as its reigning Goddess. She need only appear on the screen and we are awestruck, blown away by a sweeping image of a beautiful, powerful woman who, like Sivagami in Bahubali, is both a loving wife and mother as well as the powerful leader of armies against the wicked British world. 

Little doubt, while the Mughals took away Bharath Mata's Treasures, the British took away Her Children's dignity.  Movies such as Manikarnika remind us of where our dignity lies, in courage, in commitment, in honor,  and in sacrifice to a greater good.

But, such a good is presented in too sweeping a way, making it feel more like Disney fantasy than actual history.  We are left cheering on Ms. Kanganaut, but somewhere in us is the longing to learn more.  Lest we forget Google.