The Warrior Queen of Jhansi

Multi-talented debuting film director Swati Bhise achieved her goal of telling the story of a real-life Wonder Woman, the title character who fought for the freedom of her people out from under the yoke of Colonialism in 1858, paving the way for future movements culminating in India's independence in 1947.

Bhise's talent as a choreographer is evident in the realization of this modestly budgeted epic, a combination historical drama and action movie. I was especially pleased as a fan of those traditional Hollywood and British historical adventure films of the 1930s like "Lives of a Bengal Lancer" and "Charge of the Light Brigade" right up to Cy Enfield's classic "Zulu" in the '60s that Bhise helps settle the score, with the Brits the bad guys for once.

Sharing the credit for this movie's achievement is the director's daughter Devika Bhise, most impressive in her swordplay, athleticism and equestrian skills to bring the larger-than-life heroine to the screen. At the q&a following a Saturday screening, director Bhise revealed that Devika was entrusted with directing the final two days of shooting on location in Morocco after her mother took ill.

Though this is the story of the beginning of the end of the East India Company, it serves as a much needed criticism of the Victorian Age and one of the modern world's earliest corporations. But this is mostly incidental.

The story is about a real noble woman of high aspirations trying to keep her kingdom despite being repeatedly betrayed and attacked by the British. It's actually quite modest in its heroic portrayal and perhaps because of that, a bit stodgy in its first half, but worth the wait, mostly because of its luminous star, Devika Bhise. She pulls off the role with apparent ease and is a joy to watch.

This isn't a Hollywood super production but even at this somewhat shoestring level, the story is served well. The British parts are also enjoyable and not over sanitized.

Excellent film, shame it paints the disgraceful happenings of 1858 by the British East India Co. Totally based on a true warrior of a woman.

It's obvious that there are many Indian contributors on this site who have given this movie 'one star' reviews, but IMO, this is based not on the movie but their own ideas and biases about history.

This is (literally) a family affair, directed, produced and written by the Bhise's, prominent amongst which is the main protagonist - Queen Rani - played very well by Devika Bhise as the warrior queen - she has what it takes to be a star.

In the 1850's Britain was a force to reckon with and they formed armies and navies to colonize scores of countries worldwide; even today in 2020 The Queen (ER2) is Head of The British Commonwealth, some 50 odd now self governing countries are a part, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and yes India, which has a special status.

Queen Jansi began the uprising and resistance which lead to India's independence less than a century later.

True, it can be a tad slow at times and obviously low budget, but unlike 'Bahubali' which was all about internal Indian affairs, Jhansi was about the heart and soul of a country looking to free itself from foreign oversight and governance.

As long as you're not looking for Hollywood gloss, IMO, Jhansi is a worthwhile 90 minutes. I give this movie 7/10.

Like most films produced to tell a particular nation's history you're shown mostly the good traits of that nation, and mostly the bad traits of the opposition. In many other films of this genre you can substitute "all" for "mostly". The nastiest statement (said in a manner that implied it was common) was that the Brits were killing women & children. It also didn't hurt the script's cause that they cast a model attractive female for the warrior queen. Yes, no doubt that humans will kill anything just for material greed and/or power. Would have liked to have seen some substantiation and research on the behavior of the East India Company as well as the behaviors of the Indian people & leaders during that period.