Brahmin group calls off Manikarnika stir
JAIPUR: A Brahmin outfit that raised objections to Kangana Ranaut’s historical drama Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, called off its protest on Saturday after written assurance from the film’s producer that there is no distortion of history in the movie.
The producer also held a press conference, along with the representatives of the Sarv Brahmin Mahashaba to allay their apprehensions.
On February 5, Suresh Mishra, the national president of the organisation had alleged that the film distorts historical facts regarding Lakshmi Bai, the nineteenth century queen of Jhansi, and also depicts a love affair between her and a British man.
In a letter addressed to Mishra, producer Kamal Jain said that the producers “have not distorted the history and there is no romantic song or sequence with the Britishers in the film”.
In addition, they have not “referred to Jayshree Mishra or any other writers who wrote ‘degrading information’ on Rani Lakshmibai”, the letter added
Mishra, earlier wrote letters to Jain enquiring about the writers of the film, profile of the historians consulted and details of songs in the film, if any.
“We are making the film, Manikarnika with a great pas-
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We are making the film, Manikarnika with a great passion and huge respect towards the great woman who is unmatchable in her reputation.
KAMAL JAIN, producer
sion and huge respect towards the great woman who is unmatchable in her reputation,” Jain’s response to Mishra read.
“MR Vijayendra Prasad of Bahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame has researched with a huge team and written the story after consulting a good number of scholars and historians. Respected Prasoon Joshi ji is penning the dialogues and lyrics of the film,” it added.
Reacting to the assurance letter from the producers, Mishra said that the whole issue has got a ‘good closure’. “We withdraw our protests. And they have assured us in writing, so if they err in future, we can always rebut them,” he said.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat battled year-long violent protests by Rajput outfits across several states . Karni Sena, the Rajput group spearheading the protests, had alleged that the film “distorted history” and hurt the pride and valour of Rani Padmini and the Rajputs.