Manikarnika is a battle field of cinema

Manikarnika : ***1/2 stars

India | Biopic | History | Drama

Cast: Kangana Ranaut

Release: Jan 2019

Duration: 173 minute

Plot (google)

The life of Rani Lakshmibai, one of the key leaders in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Review:

The film has been one of the most anticipated biopics of the year, it was supposed to be the perfect female lead film with the lead actress also directing it. Kangana has managed to pull it off just a little beyond the mark.

The film starts with Amitabh Bachchan's narration setting the scene and introducing, Manikarnika as a baby. (While the country is is chaos because of the East India Compnay, Manikarnika was born.) Which quickly flash forwards to Kangana Ranaut as the Disney Scotlandish Princess. She shoots a arrow at a tiger, to save the village's people and farm animal, and also answers to the people calling it animal cruelty, 'I have just injured it to save everyone. Now we can send it back into the forest.'

The film takes a strong approach towards Manikarnika's character given her grandeur personality. But it also means everything around her has to match her enough to set her atop. Which brings us to the Bahubali inspired shots, CGI, sets and even the color scheme.

For a movie highly reliable on VFX it film manages to give few amazing scenes. Filled with songs and sloppy screenplay the film's first half misses the point a few times and circles around while dumping more information and giving us the backdrop to Manikarnika's story.

While the second half of the film picks up and takes us deep into the war zone, which looks epic and royal as much as it can get. The second half also manages to drive out emotions and give the patriotic high with good background score and strong punchlines.

Even though at times it hard to understand why most of the dialogues are in rhymes , watching Kangana deliver the punchlines has been a new and different experience. And I enjoyed it , thoroughly. She had the right amount of anger and power but as a Maharashtraian myself, I wished Kangana had the charm and pride of a Maratha oozing from her.

Verdict: It is a fun watch for a few laughs some good acting and some patriotism.

*** 1/2 stars.

#Drama #movies2019 #Bollywood