Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi

In the verdant ghats of Varanasi, a new life emerges - Manikarnika, destined for greatness under the watchful eyes of Bajirao (Suresh Oberoi) and her father Moropant (Manish Wadhwa) in the picturesque town of Bithoor. As she grows into a fearless young woman, Manu's remarkable prowess is spotted by Dixit-Ji (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), Jhansi's minister, who proposes an unlikely union between her and Gangadhar Rao (Jisshu Sengupta), the King of Maratha-ruled Jhansi, in 1842. The opulent wedding celebrations unfold amidst the residents of Jhansi, including the fiery JhalkarBai (Ankita Lokhande) and her husband Puran Singh (Vaibhav Tatwawaadi), who cannot help but gaze at their new queen, now rechristened Lakshmi Bai.

As the newly wed king and queen spend time together, they forge a strong bond built on mutual respect. Queen Lakshmi Bai, once confined to traditional womanly duties, now takes an avid interest in the political landscape of Jhansi and India as a whole. Her ire is piqued when she discovers her husband's subservience to British officer Gordon (Edward Sonnenblick), and she refuses to bow her head, earning his ire.

Meanwhile, Jhalkari Bai's cherished calf, Nandu, falls prey to the cruelty of British officers, prompting her to launch a courageous pursuit that ends in a brutal beating. Lakshmi Bai is outraged upon learning of this injustice and confronts the perpetrators, astonishing them with her fluent English. She asserts the sovereignty of Jhansi, declaring that all livestock are property of the king and cannot be taken by the East India Company without permission. Her bravery earns her a friend in Jhalkari Bai, and as she prepares to welcome a new addition to her family - a son named Damodar Rao - her joy is palpable.

As Sadashiv Rao (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), Gangadhar's brother, secretly conspires with British officers who promise him a share of the estate once Jhansi falls under their control, his eyes betray his sinister intentions as he instructs a maid to carry holy water to the naming ceremony of the baby, foreshadowing the tragic events that will unfold. The king's decision to adopt an heir is met with Sadashiv's dismay when his own son is overlooked in favor of a civilian toddler who happens to be drawn to Lakshmi Bai (Rani Lakshmi Bai), and is subsequently named Damodar at her insistence. Enraged by this turn of events, Sadashiv refuses to acknowledge the future queen regent and is ultimately banished from Jhansi.

Months later, with King Gangadhar Rao's passing, the East India Company prepares to assert its dominance over the kingdom through the Doctrine of Lapse, citing the absence of a male heir. However, Lakshmi Bai defies convention by refusing to succumb to the traditional practices of widowhood and instead assumes the throne, driven by her promise to her late husband. When forced to vacate the palace, she walks undeterred into the village, where she is met with a grand procession led by Jhalkari Bai, further inflaming the ire of British officials.

The company dispatches Sir Hugh Rose (Richard Keep) to quell the situation and oust Lakshmi Bai from power once and for all. Forearmed against impending attacks, Lakshmi Bai begins training her own army, including women, to resist foreign occupation. Meanwhile, Sadashiv orchestrates a mutiny that claims innocent British lives, including women and children, blaming the atrocity on Rani Lakshmi Bai in an effort to prompt Hugh Rose's wrath and destruction. As Hugh Rose approaches Jhansi, he hangs a young girl solely due to her name being Lakshmi, further escalating tensions.

As the siege of Jhansi rages on, Queen Lakshmi Bai (unflappable in her resolve) takes a bold step into the fray, determined to neutralize the strategic British cannons stationed before the revered temple. The castle walls prove an impenetrable fortress for both herself and her valiant forces, until the treachery of Sadashiv Rao's revelations allows the British to breach the defenses and exact a devastating toll, including the loss of the gallant Gaus-Baba (Danny Denzongpa). Amidst the chaos, Jhalkari Bai, undeterred by her own pregnancy, assumes the queen's guise as a decoy, cleverly leading the British troops on a merry chase that allows Lakshmi Bai to slip away with Damodar Rao. The ultimate sacrifice of Jhalkari Bai is a testament to her unwavering dedication, as she perishes in a blaze of gunfire and explosives, taking numerous British officers down with her.

Crushed by the loss of everything dear but her unyielding devotion to her country, Lakshmi Bai makes her way to Kalpi, where she reunites with Tantia Tope (Atul Kulkarni) and other stalwart allies. She regains control of Gwalior and inspires the Maratha warriors to join the fight for independence. Though heavy-hearted, Lakshmi Bai entrusts Damodar Rao to her childhood friend and devoted attendant, Kashi (Mishti), before leading a daring assault on the British army. However, facing an overwhelming foe, Lakshmi Bai is forced to confront the harsh reality of defeat.

In a final act of defiance, Rani Lakshmi Bai fixes a steely gaze upon Hugh Rose, then sets her own body aflame rather than submit to capture and slaughter at the hands of the British.