Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is a 2019 action drama directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi, starring Kangana Ranaut as Manikarnika, Suresh Oberoi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. It runs 2 hours 28 minutes and earned $13 million worldwide on a $17.5 million budget. Critics gave it 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 28m (148 min)
- Director
- Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi
- Original language
-
Hindi
- Studio
- Zee Studios
- Budget
- $17.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi About?
The premise of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During India's struggle for independence, Rani Lakshmibai, the queen of Jhansi, rises to become a symbol of courage and resistance. The film chronicles her defiant stand against the British East India Company, portraying her leadership and determination in the face of oppression. It depicts her unwavering resolve to protect her kingdom and inspire her people to fight for their freedom, forever etching her name in history as a formidable warrior and a beacon of hope.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Themes & Keywords
· 21 tags- rebel hero
- patriotism
- colonialism
- nationalism
- hinduism
- independence
- the revolt of 1857
- feminism
- princely state
- divide and rule
- doctrine of lapse
- 1850s
+9 more Show fewer
- india
- indian history
- british empire
- british army
- british soldier
- one woman army
- one against many
- 19th century
- based on true story
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Cast & Characters
Kangana Ranaut leads the cast as Manikarnika, with Suresh Oberoi as Peshwa of Bithoor and Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Dixit Ji. Directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi
- Kangana Ranaut as Manikarnika
- Suresh Oberoi as Peshwa of Bithoor
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Dixit Ji
- Nihar Pandya as Rao
Also Starring in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
· 16 more- Jishu Sengupta
- Ankita Lokhande Jhalkari
- Edward Sonnenblick Gordon
- Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
- Richard Keep Hugh Rose
- Danny Denzongpa Ghulam Ghaus Khan
- Atul Kulkarni Tatya Tope
- Mishti
- R. Bhakti Klein
- Vikram Kochhar Nana
- Anil George Pir Ali
- Rimi Sen
- Suparna Marwah Raajmata
- Ram Gopal Bajaj
- Prajakta Mali
- Daniel O'Kane
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Echo Score Breakdown
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi garners admiration for its commanding lead performance alongside critique for technical and narrative imbalance. Reviews emphasize Kangana Ranaut’s vigorous portrayal, yet observe that the screenplay’s singular focus and irregular pacing limit broader engagement. The production design, while detailed in costume and set decoration, lacks consistent scale and polish. These contrasting strengths and weaknesses yield a film that is emotionally compelling at moments but structurally uneven overall.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
The film’s art and craft express ambition in visual detail but reveal limitations in execution. Costume design and cinematography earn praise for their intricacy and vibrant imagery, yet critics point to modest set scale and uneven direction that undercut production scope. Occasional lapses in visual effects further diminish cohesion. In sum, the art department’s efforts are notable but inconsistent.
- Character & Emotion 85
Character portrayal is anchored by a commanding central performance that earns consistent acclaim. Kangana Ranaut’s embodiment of the queen is highlighted for its intensity, confidence, and emotional presence, providing the film’s most resonant moments. Supporting cast performances receive mixed feedback, with English officers’ dialogue delivery often deemed stagey. Overall, the film’s characters engage viewers despite limited depth exploration.
- Story & Flow 55
The story and flow reveal both stirring moments of valor and uneven narrative structure. Depictions of patriotism and battlefield heroics engage audiences, but a narrow focus on single-track events coupled with sluggish early pacing reduces overall cohesion. Historical compression contributes to gaps in emotional resonance. Ultimately, the narrative delivers occasional highs yet remains imbalanced.
- Sensory Experience 65
Sensory elements offer a blend of vivid audiovisual impact and sporadic inconsistencies. The soundtrack and song compositions are celebrated for their energy and lyrical resonance, while cinematography provides a rich color palette and dynamic battle staging. However, several visual effects are criticized as artificial, and song placement sometimes interrupts narrative momentum. Overall, sensory design is compelling but uneven.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Rewatch value is tempered by standout sequences and uneven execution. Viewers cite the central performance and key battle scenes as highlights worth revisiting, yet the film’s irregular pacing, historical liberties, and occasional production flaws deter repeated viewings. While core emotional and action set pieces remain appealing, the overall replay factor stays moderate.
-
IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 45% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 75%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Plot Summary
What happens in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with the arrival of Manikarnika in the vibrant ghats of Varanasi. She is raised under the watchful eyes of her father, Moropant (Manish Wadhwa), and Bajirao (Suresh Oberoi) in the idyllic surroundings of Bithoor. A spirited young Manu catches the attention of Dixit-Ji (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), the minister of Jhansi, when she displays her formidable prowess by killing a tiger. Impressed by her strength, he proposes a marriage between her and Gangadhar Rao (Jishu Sengupta), the King of the Maratha-ruled kingdom of Jhansi, in the year 1842. This union is celebrated with great fanfare, and among the attendees is the lively JhalkarBai (Ankita Lokhande), who, along with her husband Puran Singh (Vaibhav Tatwawaadi), eagerly observes the new queen. Following the wedding, Manikarnika’s name is changed to Lakshmi Bai.
Full summary
The whole story of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, scene by scene
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Box Office & Budget
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi grossed $13 million worldwide on a $17.5 million budget, 74% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$13M
74% of its budget back
- International
- $13M
- Budget
- $17.5M
How Well Do You Know Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the birth name of Queen Lakshmi Bai?
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Movies Like Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Warrior Queen of Jhansi, Jhansi Ki Rani and Bandit Queen.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi?
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi runs 2 hours 28 minutes (148 minutes).
When was Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi released?
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi was released on January 25, 2019.
Who directed Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi?
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi was directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi.
More films by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi Who is in the cast of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi?
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi stars Kangana Ranaut as Manikarnika, Suresh Oberoi as Peshwa of Bithoor and Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Dixit Ji, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi make at the box office?
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi grossed $13 million worldwide on a budget of $17.5 million.
How is Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi rated?
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi have a post-credit scene?
No. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi in?
The original language of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is Hindi.
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