Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi will see Atul Kulkarni play freedom fighter Tatya Tope

While Kangana Ranaut is already learning sword-fighting to do full justice to her Rani Laxmibai character in Manikarnika, Atul Kulkarni has been roped in to play Tatya Tope in the film, as per DNA. Firstpost had earlier reported that Suresh Oberoi, has been signed to play Peshwa Bajirao II in the biographical film. [caption id=“attachment_3856851” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Atul Kulkarni on the sets of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.[/caption] Tope, whose actual name was Ramachandra Pandurang Tope, was one of the generals who led the Indian rebellion of 1857. He also aided Rani Laxmibai in acquiring the city of Gwalior from the British rule. Kulkarni is not new to bringing historical characters on screen. He had played the role of Ram Prasad Bilmil, an Indian revolutionary, in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Rang De Basanti. The film was a blockbuster and managed to secure a special place in the hearts of Indians for its patriotic sentiment. Kulkarni’s character in Rang De Basanti was also widely appreciated. To make the portrayal of Tope lifelike, the actor has reportedly been learning horse-riding and sword-fighting. Kulkarni also told DNA that he is putting in everything he can in this role. His body double, who was originally hired to do all the stunts, has been just sitting around the sets, because Kulkarni has taken it upon himself to make the depiction look as authentic as possible.