You can trust Prasoon Joshi to belt out touching lyrics, and he has done just that with Manikarnika’s track, called Bharat. This patriotic song about India asks for full allegiance to the country, in life as well as death. The words, “Desh se hai pyar toh, har pal yeh kehna chahiye. Main rahoon ya na rahoon, Bharat yeh rehna chahiye” try to drive this point home, with their nationalistic leanings very much echoing the current political climate of the country.
Bharat has been composed as a melodic song by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The tempo is slow and the music, evocative of a devotional feeling. In that sense, the song achieves very well, what it has set out to achieve. The poetry by Prasoon Joshi is still its main strength however. Lines like, “Meri nas nas taar kardo, aur bana do ek sitar. Raag Bharat mujhpe chhedo, jhan-jhanao baar baar” really go on to portray the brilliance of this lyricist.
Bharat has been sung by Shankar Mahadevan who seems to be quite at ease with its vocals. While the song was already out, its video version has arrived now, giving us a fresh glimpse at some unseen footage from the upcoming film. The grand visuals echo of the kind of vision Sanjay Leela Bhansali has, which is sure to be one factor that is going to be in the film’s favour.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is of course a biographical film on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, and has Kangana Ranaut playing the lead role. It has been directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi, along with Kangana Ranaut herself. The film has been written by K. V. Vijayendra Prasad, who is known for hits like the Baahubali series, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Eega and Magadheera.
This film had gone on floors back in May 2017, and is only now that it’s ready for a release. Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi had to leave during its post-production and re-shooting phase, which is when Kangana Ranaut took over the reins of direction.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi will be released on January 25, along with Why Cheat India and Thackeray.
