This drama is based on the true story of India's Joan of Arc - the queen of a province in the mid-19th century who began a century of resistance to England's colonial oppression and exploitation. In this case, it wasn't The Crown committing the triggering evil acts, but its anointed corporate proxy - the East India Company, fully supported by the British army. The titular Rani Lakshmibai, impressively portrayed by Devika Bhise (also credited as co-writer with her director/mother Swati Bhise), was raised by her father with training in weaponry and fighting not usually given to young ladies. Though they knew of the rapacious, treacherous practices of their corporate overlords, they little knew how much she'd need those skills as an adult.
After the death of the Rani's husband, the greedy Brits decided to void the treaty recognizing his sovereignty, preferring to take his valuable turf for themselves ... by any means necessary. This fit a pattern of similar practices among other desirable, vulnerable realms with the needed blend of force, espionage and assorted forms of treachery. But the imperialists didn't expect such stern resistance - especially from a woman! We see much of the occupiers' arrogance and sense of entitlement that caused resentments and resistance in India and far beyond, which still have ripple effects in today's worldwide political turmoil. The Rani becomes a symbol of India's right to freedom from foreign domination that spread and endured until it achieved independence almost a century later.
The best aspects of this production are its visuals and efficiency, with impressive costumes, sets and action packed into 102 minutes. That's quite short for historical epics, especially considering India's usual running time for historical dramas. Presumably targeting a global audience, rather than primarily domestic, casting Bhise in the lead with a full cast of actors actually from their characters' homelands, was a sound decision on the merits, not just on PC grounds. Had Hollywood been involved, her role might have gone to a known, bankable actress like Alicia Vikander, who strongly resembles Ms. Bhise, and has already earned some action cred by playing pulp adventuress Lara Croft.
The low rating, above, is due to the unfortunate flatness of the film. There's far too much talking and too little action for this Asian analog to the likes of a Braveheart. We're told the Rani was a formidable military leader, but see little of her victories - however minor - during her multi-year campaign. Such scenes would have paid more tribute to her character's actual achievements, and satisfied the audience that's rooting for her side of the culture-clash. Presumably, her outgunned, outnumbered forces attained most of their success via guerilla tactics that could have added visceral enjoyment to the package, if displayed. The battle sequences we get are impressively staged, but too heavily tilted to the capitalists' victories, without enough of the wins for the Good Guys. Even so, this is an impressive tale of the sort of principled hero or heroine that's depressingly hard to find anywhere these days.
