New Delhi: Renowned filmmaker Ketan Mehta recently voiced his disappointment with the film ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi,’ directed by Kangana Ranaut, describing it as "jingoistic" and claiming that his version of the film was more balanced. Mehta had originally announced his project, titled ‘Jhansi Ki Rani: The Warrior Queen’, with Ranaut in the lead role. However, Ranaut decided to pursue her own version of the historical epic alongside director Krish and producer Kamal Jain.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Mehta expressed his frustration, stating that the entire script of his project had been changed when Ranaut developed "Manikarnika" with a different team. He revealed that his film aimed to explore the British Generals' obsession with capturing Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in a more balanced manner. Mehta had extensively researched the subject and had plans to create an international co-production on a grand scale. He referred to the alleged breach of trust as "unfortunate" and "heart-breaking," further adding, "What finally was made was pathetic, to say the least."
This is not the first time Mehta has spoken about the issue. In 2018, he had mentioned that Kangana Ranaut had confirmed her commitment to his project and that his team had shared all the material with her. However, Ranaut's film underwent significant controversy, with her eventually taking over as the director after creative differences with Krish. Ranaut claimed to have directed a majority of the film, while Krish disputed her assertions.
‘Manikarnika’ also faced casting changes during its production, with actor Sonu Sood leaving the project midway. Ranaut stated that Sood had refused to work under a woman director, a claim that Sood vehemently denied. He explained that he couldn't accommodate the dates required for the film's reshoots.
The clash between Ketan Mehta and Kangana Ranaut highlights the tumultuous journey of ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’. While the film achieved considerable commercial success, it remained mired in controversies surrounding its production, directorial credits, and cast changes. The differing perspectives of Mehta and Ranaut raise questions about artistic integrity and the creative vision behind historical adaptations in Indian cinema.