After dressing up officials in several government offices, the humble Khadi is now making its way to the silver-screen. Actor Kangana Ranaut, in her lead role in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, would showcase the Queen's love for country’s heritage fabric Khadi in this upcoming Indian epic biographical film.
More, Kangana will also spin the wheel in the film!
And for promotion of this signature fabric, the attire of the lead casts of this movie is being sponsored by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), said its Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena, on Wednesday.
Rani Laxmibai, the legendary Queen of Jhansi in the mid-19 century, is one of the most fascinating Indian women in terms of what she had done in her life. Khadi is connected with India’s voice of Independence. In 1926, Gandhiji upheld Khadi as the symbol of swaraj and spun the final yarn of India’s fabric of Independence, he said.
But, decades before Gandhiji began spinning the Charkha , a girl born in Varanasi as Manikarnika or Manu, not only mastered reading the scriptures, riding and fighting with swords, but also learnt weaving before becoming the Queen of Jhansi. Playing the lead role in this film, Kangana would also be seen using a charkha , sponsored by KVIC.
“It is a morale booster in terms of aggressive marketing and promotion strategy for KVIC that Kangana Ranaut as Rani Laxmibai would be spinning the wheel in this movie.”
Sponsored by KVIC, the costume line for the film would be designed by ace designer Neeta Lulla, who has already picked up fabric costing around Rs 26 lakh from the Commission. The fabric being used for the film includes a mix bag of silk, cotton, muslin and some wool too, Saxena said.
“I am already in conversation with KVIC to launch a capsule collection worldwide which will be retailed across various outlets to ensure the eco-friendly fabric resonates with the millennial generation. Sustainability, silhouette, strong design detail and a sophisticated aesthetic meets all the requirements for me as a designer,” Lulla said.
Kamal Jain, the film’s producer, said that the entire unit was proud to associate with KVIC and applauded their contribution in providing the best range of Khadi that had added immensely to the already expansive range of costumes in the film. “The shooting of the film is underway in Rajasthan and these costumes play a vital role in revitalizing the glorious history of India,” he said.