Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Manikarnika’ heading ‘Padmaavat’ way; Brahmin group alleges fact distortion

Kangana Ranaut is currently shooting for Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi and is leaving no stone unturned to bring the story of the brave queen alive on screen. While the makers have already clarified that the film is not a biopic but it seems after Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, Manikarnika has irked a fringe outfit for alleged “distortion of facts”. 

Recent reports suggest that the little-known right-wing Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha has opposed the film claiming that there are scenes in the film portraying a love affair between Rani of Jhansi and a British man. Moreover, the Mahasabha's state president, Suresh Mishra asked the Rajasthan government on Monday to stall the film’s shoot with immediate effect in order to prevent historical facts from being distorted in the biographical film about Rani Laxmibai. 

At a press conference, the outfit insisted that the film would be allowed only after the film-makers gave an undertaking that no controversial scene would be depicted in the movie and added that if the state government didn't react to their demand within three days, they would escalate their agitation. "We will meet Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh and Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria seeking their intervention.", Suresh Mishra said.

"Our sources have told us that the filmmakers are shooting for a love song in which Rani Laxmibai is seen with a British agent of East India Company. We suspect the producers are making the film based on the controversial book 'Rani' written by Jaishree Misra.”, he further added. 

He is also reported to have sent a letter to producer Kamal Jain to share information on the film’s writers and the historians with whom the producers have consulted. Allegedly, he hasn’t received a response from the producer in this regard as of yet. 

"In order to check that the issue doesn't blow up like Padmaavat, the government must ensure nothing controversial is shown in the film. It should get an undertaking from the producers.", 

Meanwhile, the film is being shot in Malsisar town in Jhunjhunu. Kangana has earlier shot some scenes at Jaipur's Amer Fort, Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort and in outskirts of Bikaner.