After a series of hits, like 'Queen' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns', Kangana Ranaut is all set to reprise the role warrior queen Laxmibai in her forthcoming biopic by renowned filmmaker Ketan Mehta. The Indo-Brit venture will be based on the life of queen from Jhansi, who fought against British colonialism in the 1857 uprising. The movie will be second project in Mehta's uprising trilogy. The first one was Aamir Khan-starrer Mangal Pandey-The Rising, which released in 2005. Kangana is upbeat about playing the most prominent historical figure and would like to have her own interpretation on screen.
Ketan Mehta is well known for making colourful, socially and historically relevant cinema. Recently released Rang Rasiya, was based on the life of revolutionary painter Raja Ravi Varma, which was released after facing opposition from various sections. He had directed Deepa Sahi and Shah Rukh Khan starrer Maya Memsaab, which was based on Gustave Flaubert's novel 'Madame Bovary'. His Film 'Mirch Masala', starring late Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah was a strong narrative highlighting woman empowerment in rural Rajasthan.
After winning a national award for Vikas Bahl directed Queen, Kangana is riding high on the recent success of 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns'. She took her time to read the script of Laxmibai biopic before agreeing to play the role.
Mehta expects Kangana to undergo training in horse riding and sword fighting so that she looks perfect in the character.
Rumours suggest that Mehta is also planning to rope in acclaimed Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, who is likely to play the character of General Hugh Rose. General was the witness to LaxmiBai's bravery as he was posted in Jhansi, in those years.
Mehta, however, hasn't confirmed of Grant being on the board, but, he hopes to get a strong actor to play the character. Mehta has always enjoyed narrating stories of important people. He felt that Rani Laxmibai was a "fascinating women" and the world needs to know about her life in more details.
Kangana, meanwhile, needs to brush up her knowledge of history as she had read about the life of Laxmibai in her school books.
Since several actresses in the past have played Laxmibai on stage as well as on silver screen, but, Kangana needs to play it differently in order to make it suitable for the new age audience.
True to his form, Mehta aims to bring to fore some lesser known facts about Laxmibai and the Maratha rulers. After finishing with the casting and pre-production work, Ketan Mehta plans to start the shooting in the mid next year.
