The Warrior Queen of Jhansi

Though this is the story of the beginning of the end of the East India Company, it serves as a much needed criticism of the Victorian Age and one of the modern world's earliest corporations. But this is mostly incidental.

The story is about a real noble woman of high aspirations trying to keep her kingdom despite being repeatedly betrayed and attacked by the British. It's actually quite modest in its heroic portrayal and perhaps because of that, a bit stodgy in its first half, but worth the wait, mostly because of its luminous star, Devika Bhise. She pulls off the role with apparent ease and is a joy to watch.

This isn't a Hollywood super production but even at this somewhat shoestring level, the story is served well. The British parts are also enjoyable and not over sanitized.

It's obvious that there are many Indian contributors on this site who have given this movie 'one star' reviews, but IMO, this is based not on the movie but their own ideas and biases about history.

This is (literally) a family affair, directed, produced and written by the Bhise's, prominent amongst which is the main protagonist - Queen Rani - played very well by Devika Bhise as the warrior queen - she has what it takes to be a star.

In the 1850's Britain was a force to reckon with and they formed armies and navies to colonize scores of countries worldwide; even today in 2020 The Queen (ER2) is Head of The British Commonwealth, some 50 odd now self governing countries are a part, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and yes India, which has a special status.

Queen Jansi began the uprising and resistance which lead to India's independence less than a century later.

True, it can be a tad slow at times and obviously low budget, but unlike 'Bahubali' which was all about internal Indian affairs, Jhansi was about the heart and soul of a country looking to free itself from foreign oversight and governance.

As long as you're not looking for Hollywood gloss, IMO, Jhansi is a worthwhile 90 minutes. I give this movie 7/10.

Multi-talented debuting film director Swati Bhise achieved her goal of telling the story of a real-life Wonder Woman, the title character who fought for the freedom of her people out from under the yoke of Colonialism in 1858, paving the way for future movements culminating in India's independence in 1947.

Bhise's talent as a choreographer is evident in the realization of this modestly budgeted epic, a combination historical drama and action movie. I was especially pleased as a fan of those traditional Hollywood and British historical adventure films of the 1930s like "Lives of a Bengal Lancer" and "Charge of the Light Brigade" right up to Cy Enfield's classic "Zulu" in the '60s that Bhise helps settle the score, with the Brits the bad guys for once.

Sharing the credit for this movie's achievement is the director's daughter Devika Bhise, most impressive in her swordplay, athleticism and equestrian skills to bring the larger-than-life heroine to the screen. At the q&a following a Saturday screening, director Bhise revealed that Devika was entrusted with directing the final two days of shooting on location in Morocco after her mother took ill.

This drama is based on the true story of India's Joan of Arc - the queen of a province in the mid-19th century who began a century of resistance to England's colonial oppression and exploitation. In this case, it wasn't The Crown committing the triggering evil acts, but its anointed corporate proxy - the East India Company, fully supported by the British army. The titular Rani Lakshmibai, impressively portrayed by Devika Bhise (also credited as co-writer with her director/mother Swati Bhise), was raised by her father with training in weaponry and fighting not usually given to young ladies. Though they knew of the rapacious, treacherous practices of their corporate overlords, they little knew how much she'd need those skills as an adult.

After the death of the Rani's husband, the greedy Brits decided to void the treaty recognizing his sovereignty, preferring to take his valuable turf for themselves ... by any means necessary. This fit a pattern of similar practices among other desirable, vulnerable realms with the needed blend of force, espionage and assorted forms of treachery. But the imperialists didn't expect such stern resistance - especially from a woman! We see much of the occupiers' arrogance and sense of entitlement that caused resentments and resistance in India and far beyond, which still have ripple effects in today's worldwide political turmoil. The Rani becomes a symbol of India's right to freedom from foreign domination that spread and endured until it achieved independence almost a century later.

The best aspects of this production are its visuals and efficiency, with impressive costumes, sets and action packed into 102 minutes. That's quite short for historical epics, especially considering India's usual running time for historical dramas. Presumably targeting a global audience, rather than primarily domestic, casting Bhise in the lead with a full cast of actors actually from their characters' homelands, was a sound decision on the merits, not just on PC grounds. Had Hollywood been involved, her role might have gone to a known, bankable actress like Alicia Vikander, who strongly resembles Ms. Bhise, and has already earned some action cred by playing pulp adventuress Lara Croft.

The low rating, above, is due to the unfortunate flatness of the film. There's far too much talking and too little action for this Asian analog to the likes of a Braveheart. We're told the Rani was a formidable military leader, but see little of her victories - however minor - during her multi-year campaign. Such scenes would have paid more tribute to her character's actual achievements, and satisfied the audience that's rooting for her side of the culture-clash. Presumably, her outgunned, outnumbered forces attained most of their success via guerilla tactics that could have added visceral enjoyment to the package, if displayed. The battle sequences we get are impressively staged, but too heavily tilted to the capitalists' victories, without enough of the wins for the Good Guys. Even so, this is an impressive tale of the sort of principled hero or heroine that's depressingly hard to find anywhere these days.

The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi is based on Rani Lakshmi Bai also known as Manikarnika.

This movie follows the same person and timeline as Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi. While Manikarnika tended more towards the action, The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi tended more towards the political. It was also more grounded in its approach to the history with which it was dealing.

The casting for the film was well done, and the actress playing Rani Lakshmi Bai was great in her role as the Rani of Jhansi. However compared to the Kangana Ranaut version I just didn't enjoy this one as much. Though it was no fault of the actress as I feel she did as good a job as she was able.

The vfx in this movie were actually a bit better then in Manikarnika. At least that's what I feel.

The story as I said was more grounded and mentioned several facts that history also mentions. So it was definitely nice that they included little details like the Pork, Beef grease on the Enfield Rifles which was a major contributing factor, along with Indian soldiers having to serve overseas in them rebelling against the British oppressors.

The movie is a more realistic feeling, grounded approach then Manikarnika was, however it also glosses over a lot of the early life of the Rani with her husband the Maharaja.

All in all it is good movie, with a different take and angle on the life of Rani Manikarnika Lakshmi Bai. I did however enjoy Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi more then this version. So I'll be giving it a 7/10 only. That being said both films deserve a watch if you are interested in the life of this legendary queen!