Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi — Karni Sena denies involvement in protests against Kangana Ranaut's film

A day after it was reported that Shri Rajput Karni Sena had issued a letter to the makers of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, protesting against the period drama for allegedly distorting history and alluding to a relationship between a British officer and Rani Laxmibai, Karni Sena national spokesperson Dr Himanshu denied that the outfit was involved in the protest. [caption id=“attachment_5750781” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Still from Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi trailer. YouTube screengrab[/caption] “We are not opposing Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi till we don’t have anything substantial from the family, region or the community,” Himanshu told Indo-Asian News Service in a telephonic conversation. He added that the agitators were using the name of Karni Sena for their vested interests, in turn bringing disrepute to them. According to  ANI, the Maharashtra wing of Karni Sena said that if the “image of Rani Laxmi Bai is maligned in the film or if she is shown to be the lover of some Britisher, then the makers will face consequences.” The report also said that Karni Sena was against the film showing the queen dancing to a special number, saying it is against tradition. They also reportedly demanded that the film be shown to them before its release. Himanshu, stating that they “disown and completely dissociate” themselves from such claims and explained that only when a family, community or a region approaches the body, they take it into consideration and then take a stand. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi will focus on Rani Laxmibai’s fight against British colonisers for the rightful independence of her country and land. The Kangana Ranaut-fronted historical film is scheduled to hit screens on 25 January.