BOTTOM LINE
Performances Save The Day
OUR RATING
2.75/5
CENSOR
‘UA’ Certified
What Is the Film Manikarnika About?
Manikarnika, as we all know, is the biopic of famed and legendary Queen of Jhansi. The movie showcases her journey as a child to becoming the Queen and finally getting martyred in the battle.
How Is Kangana Ranut’s Performance?
Kangana Ranaut has done a fabulous job playing the fierce queen. Much worse was expected due to the trailer, but the actual movie is a lot different and there is a proper growth in her character. Kangana conveys the various emotions with conviction. She looks a bit off personality wise in the battle scenes but that isn’t a significant problem to affect the viewing.
Direction by Kangana Ranaut?
The directorial credits for the film are shared between Kangana Ranaut and Krish. We don’t know who has directed what portion, but the general feeling having watched the movie is that it is mostly a Krish venture. His mark is visible without any doubt.
Now with an unmistakable Krish mark, we also have his problems visible at full force. The narrative is flat throughout with no real high moments. The sequences are there in the screenplay, but the complete effect is not felt.
The first half is especially dull in that regard with not much happening and the story following a textbook approach in depicting Manikarnika’s story. It offers the actors scope to perform but there is nothing happening that makes one glued to the proceedings. It is the second half, which gets better and where the action lies. The action is straightforward but the emotions work out here, even if they are flatter in execution. At places, there are poor quality visual effects which also hampers the enjoyment.
Overall, the second half has the redeeming quality that makes Manikarnika a watch time watch at best. The efforts are applauded but not all earnest efforts get the right result in the end. In Krish’s filmography, Manikarnika would be on par or slightly better than Gautamiputra Satakarni.
Atul Kulkarni, Ankita Lokhande and Others?
There are a number of known artists in the movie. Among them, Danny Denzongpa stands out. The veteran easily stands out among the crowd despite a short role. Jisshu Sengupta plays his part sincerely. Zeeshan Ayyub gets another interesting character but is overall wasted. Ankita is fine in his small part. Atul Kulkarni should have been better utilized. The rest are okay.
Music and Other Departments?
Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s songs are alright. However, it is the background score by Sanchit Balhara that stands out. The cinematography is decent overall. As mentioned previously the tacky effects bring down the effort most of the time. The artwork is good. The editing could have been better and so does the action choreography which lacks impact.
Highlights?
Kangana Ranaut
Second Half
Performances
Drawbacks?
Lack of Emotional Connect
Lengthy Feeling
Flat Narration
Alternative Take
Maybe an art house version by Ketan Mehta was how the movie should have been made.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes in parts
Will You Recommend It?
With reservations
Manikarnika Review by Siddartha Toleti
