Kangana to don Khadi on silver screen in Manikarnika

AFTER DRESSING up officials in several government offices, Khadi is now making its way to silver screen. Kangana Ranaut, who is playing the lead role in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, would showcase the Queen’s love for country’s heritage fabric Khadi in this upcoming Indian epic biographical film. And for the promotion of this signature fabric, the attire of the lead casts of this movie is being sponsored by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Expressing pride and pleasure for being a part in the renewal of India’s spirit of Independence, KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said that Rani Laxmibai is one of the fascinating women in terms of what she had done in her life. “Khadi is connected to India’s voice of Independence since time immemorial. But very few people know that some seven decades before Gandhiji’s tryst with Charkha, a girl born in Varanasi as Manikarnika, not only mastered reading the Vedas and Puranas, but also learned weaving before being the Queen of Jhansi,” he said. Speaking further he mentioned, “It is a morale booster in terms of aggressive marketing and promotion strategy for KVIC that she (Kangana Ranaut as Rani Laxmibai) would be spinning the wheel in this movie. It would once again prove that prior to British rule in India, Khadi was flourishing in our country and later it was Charkha that drove the Britishers away from India.” It may be noted here that sponsored by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the costume line for the film shall be designed by ace designer Neeta Lulla. Lulla has already picked up fabric costing around Rs 26 lakh from KVIC. According to Chairman VK Saxena, the fabric being used for the film includes a mixed bag of silk, cotton, muslin and some wool too. Impressed by the fabric, Lulla is already making plans to use the desi fabric in her personal line too. “I feel Khadi exemplifies a lot of character. I am already in conversation with KVIC to launch a capsule collection worldwide which will be retailed across various outlets to ensure the ecofriendly fabric resonates with the millennial generation,” she said. On the other hand, Kamal Jain, the producer of the movie, said that the entire unit was proud to associate with KVIC and applauded their contribution in providing the best range of Khadi that had added immensely to the range of costumes in the film. “The shooting of the film is underway and these unique costumes play a vital role in revitalizing the glorious history of India,” he said.