With Kangana Ranaut taking over the directorial reins of the ambitious over-budget historical Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, there are conflicting reports on just how much the film’s lead actress will finally contribute to the project as a director, editor and screenwriter.
One of the film’s principal actors spills the beans, “Kangana has directed nearly 35 per cent of the film. This is not just the fresh scenes but in addition to what Krish had already directed. Many of the scenes and sequences already shot by Krish have been re-shot by Kangana,” says the source.
The plan now looks like to credit Kangana as co-director, but the project’s original director is not willing to go along with this joint credits.
Says the source, “Krish is not a Johnny-come-lately, he has a distinguished career as a filmmaker. He has directed a number of epics before Manikarnika. To be treated so shabbily is not an easy pill to swallow. Krish is in no mood for reconciliation and has already moved on. No way is he going to allow his name to be used as co-director. Kangna will probably have to take solo credit for direction if she wants the world to see her talents as a director.”
Now in its post-production, every other actor in the film is worried about his or her role being snuffed out on the editing table. One of the actors said, “I shot for more than 40 days. I don’t know how much of it will finally go into the film. All of us are worried about our roles. But no one is allowed to say anything. There is a collective gag order. All we can do is pray.”
