'Manikarnika - Queen of Jhansi': Kangana Ranaut gets ready for warfare

Fresh off a brief workcation in London, Kangana Ranaut kicked off prep for the Krish-directed period drama, 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', over the weekend with sword-fighting lessons under the tutelage of award winning action director Nick Powell. He has earlier worked on Hollywood projects like 'Braveheart', 'The Bourne Identity', 'Resident Evil: Retribution', 'The Three Musketeers' and 'The Last Samurai', among others.

"Nick came from the US a week ago but I was in London then so he started off by choreographing sequences with Krish. The action is detailed in the script Vijayendra sir (KV Vijayendra Prasad) has written. We are starting with basic sword training and hand combat. Nick was figuring out if my wrists are flexible so I can fight with both hands and is happy with the result. From Monday, we dive straight into training as this is primarily an action film," Kangana tells Mirror.
The actress, who is training for two hours daily with Nick, admits that it is exhausting. "But as we go along, it will build my stamina. I am sure I will be able to go on for three-four hours soon. Nick admits that for a woman to convincingly bash up people is challenging but speed always beats strength, that's the only rule that applies to warfare and the only way to make a woman look powerful convincingly," Kangana explains, adding that there was a discussion on whether there is too much gore. "Eventually, everyone concurred that since it's a film about a warrior who not just fought the British but unki naak mein dum kar diya tha, unless you justify her warfare skills, there is no film. The interval and climax sequences are extraordinary."
She is mighty impressed with Nick's repertoire, particularly Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart' and the Matt Damon-starrer 'The Bourne Identity'. "I am really grateful my producers are sparing no expense.One day, Krish called me to assure me that if we were doing 10 action sequences before, we'll do a 100 now that Nick is on board. You want that sort of team spirit around you," exults the 'Queen' actress.
Recently, the film produced by Kamal Jain and Zee Studios found itself in the eye of a controversy when, after sending a legal notice to Kangana alleging that she has 'hijacked' his film on Rani Lakshmibai, Ketan Mehta approached the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), requesting that she be booked for cheating and breach of trust.
Kangana said, "Our legal team has been really prompt regarding the response to Mr Mehta's concerns. We won't leave any stone unturned to give this project dignity and virtue that it deserves."