As Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika becomes most expensive Hindi film led by a woman at Rs 100 crore, the producer says he's unfazed by the clash with Super 30, Thackeray biopic
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 17, 2018)

Why should women-oriented films compromise on budget? Asks Manikarnika maker Kamal Jain
At a time when producers think twice before investing heavily in films headlined by female actors, makers of Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi - Kamal Jain and Zee Studios - have set a precedent. Touted to be made on a budget of Rs 100 crore, Jain claims the Kangana Ranaut-starrer is the most expensive Bollywood film to be led by a female star.

"It is a period film, so there was no scope of cutting corners. We invested in every department judiciously. Kangana was always keen to do a film based on Rani Lakshmibai, so when we approached her, she lapped it up," says Jain.

The industry may be male-dominated, but the producer says that female actors have proved that they too can carry a film on their petite but able shoulders. "There has been a positive change in the industry. Movies with actresses in focus have done big numbers. We are hoping to take that change to the next step. Why should a female-oriented film need to compromise on budget? Also, Kangana's star power is unquestionable."

Given the budget of the film, one wonders if the biopic would have benefited from a solo release. After all, January 25 is turning out to be a crowded window with Hrithik Roshan's Super 30 and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Thackeray releasing alongside. "I don't think Super 30 is releasing on that day, and the other movies are different from ours. We are confident of what we have made. January 26 is an ideal date for a patriotic film like ours. Moreover, it is an extended weekend, so we all stand a chance to do business."

Asserting that they can't be "myopic" when it comes to their labour of love, Jain says they didn't spare any expenses. "From the costumes to the set, we had to reflect the grandeur of the era. We also got Nick Powell [action director] who's the best in the business."

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 7, 2017)

Much like her personal life, Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film, Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi too has been mired in controversy over the last few weeks. With her last outing Simran having tanked at the box office, reports surfaced that the financers of the period drama had developed cold feet about supporting a Ranaut-starrer. Trade tattle also suggested that with the investors backing out, the shoot of the Krish-directed saga had been stalled.

However, producer Kamal Jain vehemently denies the rumours, saying that the project “is on track so far”. “This isn’t a flaky film that will have budgetary issues. It is produced by Zee Studios and me. Look at the names we have associated with the film – K V Vijayendra Prasad [story writer] and Prasoon Joshi [ lyricist]. If we had a budget constraint, how could we afford Nick Powell [Hollywood action choreographer]?”

Point out to him how the unit hasn’t shot a single scene since August, and Jain says that was always the plan. “After the first schedule, Kangana had to take a break for the promotions of Simran. It was decided earlier that she would extend the break by a few days because the last schedule of Manikarnika was exhausting for her. After all, she had had a major accident on the set,” he says, referring to the forehead injury Ranaut sustained while filming a sword-fighting scene. He added that the next schedule begins on October 11.

Proud of bringing the 19th century warrior queen’s story to the big screen, Jain says he is hurt by the rumours surrounding the ambitious project. “It’s disturbing to see people trying to pull down a film that they will be proud of when they see it. The film takes us back to our roots and heritage. Just because people have personal issues with a particular artiste, they try to attack her on the professional front.”