On the second day of the three-day film festival Ekagra, Bollywood movie Jhansi Ki Rani was screened that evoked a good response.
Here on Monday, the film was screened at Antrang Hall, Bharat Bhavan under Chhavi series of classical cinema. The three-day film festival is being organized in the memory of a noted Bollywood – theatre director Sohrab Modi.
Jhansi Ki Rani was released in the year 1956 starring Mehtab as the female protagonist, Sohrab Modi, Mubarak and Ulhas.
Jhansi Ki Rani is considered to be the India's first technicolour film; Modi had technicians flown in from Hollywood. Mehtab starred as the young queen of Jhansi who took up arms against the British during the Mutiny of 1857 with Modi essaying the role of the Rajguru, her chief adviser.
The film was notable for its authenticity in creating the right period and delineating historical events, its spectacular battle scenes and Mehtab's stirring performance though she was far too old for the role. She achieves stirring dignity in the role as she vows to protect Jhansi from all enemies both within and outside. The ball sequence in Jhansi's palace was superbly shot and Modi's characters held great emotional appeal.
With marvelous direction by Sohrab Modi, the film unveiled the important incidents and facts that happened during the time of Rani laxmi Bai. As a whole, the movie consisted of all the historical sequences that made the Bhopalites watch the show with a lot of enthusiasm. Moreover, it was a wonderful opportunity for the theatre lovers to watch the pioneers of Indian cinema on a big screen once again.