FLAWED BUT FABULOUS

MANIKARNIKA: THE QUEEN OF JHANSI

STARRING: Kangana Ranaut, plus stalwarts reduced to junior artistes

DIRECTOR: Kangana Ranaut & Krish HHH

There is plenty that is openly wrong with this beleaguered aspiring epic. Its rhythm of storytelling feels all wrong. One minute we are looking at Kangana Ranaut playing herself - wide - eyed, tight-lipped, defiant, stubborn and sinister - the next minute she forgets herself and immerses herself in her character. Much like the warriorQueen herself who never could decide whether she wanted to be a wife, mother, warrior or rebel, and ended up being an amalgamation of all these roles.

But country always came first. Oh yes, Rani Laxmibai was a desh bhakt and she made no bones about it. It is when Ranaut speaks about putting country above all else that her eyes light up. And so do the frames. When Rani ticked off the British General - goosebumps.

The film is never short of visual luminosity. The co-directors together create a fairly impressive imitation of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's style without seeming slavishly devoted to the notion of glitter.

The battle scenes that take up plenty of the lengthy narrative are heavily influenced by Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. But Ranaut manages the horse-riding and sword-fencing with impressive self-assuredness. I wouldn't agree with Mr Manoj Kumar when he says Kangana was born to play Rani Laxmibai. But she certainly gives the complex character a kind of cutting edge that makes the Rani empowered and powerful. The