Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Movie Cast, Box Office Collection, Trailer, OTT, Story, Posters
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Movie Cast, Box Office Collection, Trailer, OTT, Story, Posters
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019): Cast, Box Office, Story, and Legacy
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is a grand, historical epic that brought the awe-inspiring story of Rani Lakshmi Bai, one of the leading figures of the 1857 Indian Rebellion, to the big screen. Released on the Republic Day weekend in 2019, the film was celebrated for its scale, patriotic fervour, and the fierce performance of its lead actress, Kangana Ranaut.
The movie chronicles the extraordinary journey of the warrior queen, from her early life as Manikarnika to her marriage to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi and her eventual defiant stand against the British East India Company.
The Cast: Bringing History to Life
The film features a strong ensemble cast, with the central performance by Kangana Ranaut earning her a National Film Award for Best Actress.
| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kangana Ranaut | Rani Laxmibai / Manikarnika | Lead actress and also served as co-director. |
| Jisshu Sengupta | Maharaja Gangadhar Rao | King of Jhansi and Rani Laxmibai’s husband. |
| Ankita Lokhande | Jhalkaribai | A brave warrior and look-alike of Rani Laxmibai who fought alongside her. |
| Atul Kulkarni | Tatya Tope | General of the Maratha army and one of the pivotal leaders of the 1857 rebellion. |
| Danny Denzongpa | Ghulam Ghaus Khan | Chief of Rani Laxmibai’s army. |
| Suresh Oberoi | Peshwa Baji Rao II | The Peshwa of Bithoor and Manikarnika’s mentor. |
| Richard Keep | General Hugh Rose | The main British antagonist. |
The film was co-directed by Krish (Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi) and Kangana Ranaut.
The Epic Story of Manikarnika
The film opens by introducing Manikarnika, a young woman in Bithoor known for her courage and skill in swordsmanship and horseback riding. Her destiny changes when she marries the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao, and is given the new name of Laxmibai.
The narrative quickly escalates into a political and personal battle as the British East India Company, led by Captain Gordon and General Hugh Rose, begins eyeing the prosperous kingdom of Jhansi. After the death of her only son, Damodar, and later her husband, the British attempt to annex Jhansi using the controversial Doctrine of Lapse, which prohibited a ruler without a natural male heir from passing the throne to an adopted son.
Rani Laxmibai refuses to surrender the kingdom, famously declaring, “Main apni Jhansi nahi dungi” (I will not give up my Jhansi). The second half of the film is dominated by her transformation into a fierce warrior queen, leading her army—including her formidable companion, Jhalkaribai—in a valiant rebellion against the superior British forces during the first war of Indian Independence in 1857. The film culminates in the queen’s sacrifice on the battlefield, cementing her legacy as a symbol of courage and resistance.
Box Office Collection: A Success for a Female-Led Film
Despite facing competition and production controversies, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi performed strongly at the box office, particularly for a female-driven historical drama.
- Opening Weekend (Domestic Net): ₹41.35 crore.
- Total Domestic Gross: ₹108.84 crore.
- Worldwide Gross Collection: Approximately ₹132.95 crore.
The movie set a record for the highest opening weekend collections for a female-led film in India at the time of its release. It was deemed an “Average” performer by some trade analysts but became one of the highest-grossing women-centric films in the country, demonstrating the audience’s appetite for large-scale historical dramas led by female stars.
Trailer, Teaser, and Posters
The marketing campaign for Manikarnika was marked by visually rich and impactful promotional material:
- Teaser Launch: The first official teaser was released on October 2, 2018, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
- Trailer Release: The official trailer was launched in a grand ceremony on December 18, 2018. The trailer was widely praised for its spectacular battle sequences, massive production design, and Kangana Ranaut’s fiery portrayal of the Queen.
- Posters: The first official movie poster was unveiled on Independence Day (August 15, 2018), showcasing a majestic yet fierce Kangana Ranaut in her warrior queen avatar, charging at the enemy. Subsequent posters continued to highlight the film’s epic scale and the warrior spirit of Rani Laxmibai.
OTT Availability
For those who missed its theatrical run, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is available on several streaming platforms.
- Streaming Platform: The full movie is available for streaming online on Amazon Prime Video.
- Rent/Buy: The film can also be rented or purchased digitally on platforms such as Apple TV and Google Play Movies/YouTube.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Q1: What is the plot of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi?
A: The film is a biographical historical drama based on the life of Rani Laxmibai, originally named Manikarnika. It covers her journey from being a courageous young woman to marrying the King of Jhansi, and her ultimate defiant war against the British East India Company after they attempted to annex her kingdom using the Doctrine of Lapse.
Q2: Who is the main cast of the Manikarnika movie?
A: The main cast is led by Kangana Ranaut as Rani Laxmibai (Manikarnika). The ensemble also features Jisshu Sengupta as Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, Ankita Lokhande as Jhalkaribai, Atul Kulkarni as Tatya Tope, and Danny Denzongpa as Ghulam Ghaus Khan.
Q3: Which OTT platform is Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi available on?
A: Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is currently available for online streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It is also available to rent or buy on digital stores like Apple TV and Google Play.
Q4: What was the worldwide box office collection of Manikarnika?
A: The worldwide gross box office collection for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi was approximately ₹132.95 crore. It was a commercially successful film, holding the record for the highest opening weekend for a female-driven movie at the time.
Q5: Who directed Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi?
A: The film was co-directed by the original director Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi (Krish) and the lead actress, Kangana Ranaut, who took over the direction for a significant portion of the film.
This Post Has 0 Comments