IANS (BOMBAY TIMES; January 19, 2019)

Kangana Ranaut is determined to fight against the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, which has threatened protests if Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi is not screened for the outfit before release. The actress has responded that if they don’t stop harassing her, she will “destroy them”. According to reports, the Maharashtra wing of the Karni Sena protested against the film recently alleging that the period drama “alludes to Rani Laxmibai’s relationship with a British officer”. The outfit – which led a long protest against Padmaavat in 2017 – also claimed that the film shows the queen dancing to a special number, saying that it is against tradition. They asked the makers of the film to show them the movie before its release.

“Four historians have certified Manikarnika. We have got the censor certificate as well. Karni Sena has been conveyed this but they are continuing to harass me,” Kangana said in a statement. “If they don’t stop then they should know I am also a Rajput and I will destroy each one of them,” added the actress. A spokesperson from the production house said, “There is no affair shown in the film. Once the film releases, it will be clear.”

A screening of the film was also planned for the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday evening.