Filmmaker Ketan Mehta criticizes Kangana Ranaut's "Manikarnika" as jingoistic and pathetic

Filmmaker Ketan Mehta criticized Kangana Ranaut's "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" as jingoistic and disappointing
Mehta had initially planned a film on Rani Lakshmi Bai with Ranaut but faced creative differences, leading to her departure, he stated that the final version deviated from his original vision, which aimed to explore the British Generals' perspective
"Manikarnika" depicted the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Ranaut is currently involved in multiple projects, including directing "Emergency" portraying Indira Gandhi

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In a recent interview, renowned filmmaker Ketan Mehta expressed his criticism of Kangana Ranaut's film "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" (2019), stating that it was jingoistic and failed to live up to his expectations.

Ketan Mehta had announced a film on Rani Lakshmi Bai, with Kangana Ranaut cast as the lead, following the release of his movie "Manjhi - The Mountain Man" starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui in 2015. However, due to creative differences, Kangana decided to leave the project and went on to star in and co-direct "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi."

Years after the shelving of his project, Ketan Mehta, known for his notable films like "Maya Memsaab" (1993) and "Mangal Pandey: The Rising" (2005), discussed the disparities between his version and Kangana's rendition.

According to Ketan, the final outcome of "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" was "pathetic" and deviated significantly from his original vision. He referred to the film as jingoistic and nationalistic, emphasizing that the script had undergone significant changes. Ketan Mehta's project aimed to explore the British Generals' obsession with capturing Rani Lakshmi Bai and presented a more balanced perspective.

"Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" featured Kangana Ranaut in the titular role alongside Ankita Lokhande, Suresh Oberoi, Atul Kulkarni, and Danny Denzongpa. The film depicts the biographical account of Rani Lakshmi Bai, who led Jhansi's army in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the East India Company.

Currently Kangana Ranaut is working on various projects, including producing and directing "Emergency," where she portrays Indira Gandhi.

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Kangana Ranaut