Kangana’s Manikarnika now faces protests

The controversy surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat has barely settled, and a Brahmin outfit in Rajasthan has threatened to disrupt shooting of Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika, claiming it has an “indecent portrayal” of Rani Laxmibai, a Brahmin. “The movie’s shooting has been going on in Rajasthan for some time and we have come to know that there are some scenes, including a song, that show her as having a love affair with an Englishman,”  Suresh Misra, founder president of Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha (SBM) told media in India.  “We have learnt that some portions for the movie have been picked up from Rani, a book by London-based author Jaishree Misra. Following objections, the book was banned by Uttar Pradesh government then. So our concern is, why are filmmakers proceeding with a movie with content from a banned book,” said Misra. He said if their concerns are not addressed, “Brahmin Mahasabha will not let the movie be shot here and will disrupt its shooting.”

“We had sent a letter to the producers on January 9. However, after almost a month, there has been no response,” Misra said. “Jhansi ki Maharani Laxmi Bai was a Brahmin and therefore our organisation and community has certain queries as it is related with Brahmin sentiments & emotions,” reads the purported letter to Manikarnika producer Kamal Jain.

The letter inquires about “background and profile” of writers and profile of historians they may have consulted, details of song(s) in the movie and the context in which they are being filmed.