This weekend we celebrate our 70th Republic Day and if you plan to brave the hordes at a mall or a multiplex near you to catch a movie, there are some interesting options available for you. There is the story of the Queen of Jhansi, Manikarnika, a movie based on the life and times of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, Thackeray among the options for you to choose from.
This seems to be the time of year when Bollywood rolls out its (semi) historical films. Last year it was Padmavat (not that it had even a nodding acquaintance with history), this year it is Manikarnika, loosely based on the life of Laxmibai, the Queen of Jhansi.
Some reviewers have rated the movie high for lead actor Kangana Ranaut’s performance. She also co-directs this movie; as such she garners praise for her efforts on both counts. This movie is also important for being a woman centric film from an industry dominated by men which consistently makes movies in which women are incidental.
The fervent patriotism that the film features, the Indian queen’s bravery in the face of the colonial might of the British Empire is rousing and enjoyable said many. The performance and action sequences also receive praise from viewers.
The movie is only loosely based on fact and presents a highly dramatic account of the queen. While its true that Laxmibai fought the British, hers was a struggle to be permitted to retain control of Jhansi until her son came of age, rather than some idealised fight against British imperialism. Some of the movie's scenes are at odds with the feminist message it purports to send out and several critics accuse Ranaut of overacting and not giving screentime to anyone but herself. The special effects are rather tacky and the screenplay shoddy in the way that it strips the story of nuance; presenting the queen as valorous, fiery and selfless; the British as venal, duplicitous and almost comically villainous.
The release was timed to coincide with the birth anniversary of the Shiv Sena's founder Bal Thackeray (23 January). Many viewers have found the film to be well made and gripping.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the lead actor who plays the titular role in the film. By all accounts he has done an excellent job playing an actual real life character and his look is very authentic as well.
Several critics have questioned the timing of the film just months before the general elections and have pointed out the fact that the film's producer is senior Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. The film glosses over the incidents such as Thackeray's involvement in the Mumbai riots, his openly divisive politics, and tries to explain these away.
Popular film critic Rajeev Masand calls it a distorted, one sided take of a man that the film tries to present as a superhero; a tiger who roars. While the film is very well made, the narrative is highly skewed according to Masand. In the end it becomes clear that we are to have a sequel to this film.
Thackeray was released on limited number of screens and has done much better business in Maharashtra than other regions. On the other hand, Manikarnika has had a much better box office opening. Critics have rated Thackeray as the better film while the box office seems to have favoured Manikarnika. What would be your choice?
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