After Padmaavat, another Bollywood film Manikarnika, which is being directed by Krish, is at the centre of a controversy with Sarva Brahman Mahasabha (SBM) protesting against the film. The organisation admitted that the film distorts history and its leaders will meet Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria over the same. The film which features Kangana Ranaut as the female lead is based on the 19th-century queen of Jhansi, Laxmi Bai.
In a recent media interaction, SBM president Suresh Mishra said, “The film distorts history regarding Laxmi Bai and depicts a love affair between her and a British man. We learnt about it from our friends and acquaintances in various parts of Rajasthan where some scenes of the film are being shot. The film is based on a foreigner’s book and tries to dampen the queen’s reputation.”
But the producer Kamal Jain clarified that the film does not portray anything objectionable about Laxmi Bai. He stated that, “The film shows Rani Laxmibai in a respectful manner. We have taken care about portraying her including consulting historians and scholars in Jhansi. She was a freedom fighter and one of the most respected leaders our country has seen. She is a symbol of valour in our country. The film’s story depicts the same. The film doesn’t portray anything objectionable about her. There is no love affair depicted in the film and there is no distortion of history in anyway.”
