Interview with Kratika Sengar, Jhansi Ki Rani
Kratika Sengar, who plays the title role in the historial saga Jhansi Ki Rani airing on Zee TV shares her challenging experience about her legendary character in the immensely loved epic show.The most important phase has started in Jhansi Ki Rani. What do we look forward to in the serial now?
Even
as India feels a blast of patriotic fervor this Republic Day, the Rani
of Jhansi rescues her child Anand Rao and father Moropant Tambe from the
clutches of the British. The Rani hoists the Jhansi flag on her fort
annexed by the British and sternly announces that absolutely nothing
could possibly stop her from getting her Jhansi back from the British — a
scene bound to give goose-bumps to every Indian across the world. The
grand episode on Wednesday, January 26 marks the beginning of a fiery
battle for Indian Independence between Rani Laxmibai and the British.
How do you feel playing the role of a legendary character of the stature of Jhansi Ki Rani?
Rani
Laxmibai is considered to be the epitome of female bravery in India and
essaying the role of a landmark character in history makes me feel very
proud and at the same time extremely lucky to have bagged this role.
Knowing about the Rani has been a great humbling experience, memories of
which I will cherish forever. It’s no mean task to essay a historical
character like Jhansi Ki Rani especially when the story track revolves
around the famous battles she fought.
How has the character inspired you as a person? What kind of research have you done to play this role?
Once
I was confirmed to play the role of Manu I was professionally trained
in horse riding and sword fighting. I spent some time browsing the net
and pouring over books to know more about “Jhansi Ki Rani”. Also, I had
been to the workshop to learn the shloka's and the body language of how
Jhansi Ki Rani was. Enormous research and micro-level detailing has gone
into ensuring that this landmark struggle for India's independence
comes across as impactful and memorable for the ardent followers of the
show.
Has there been any change in your personality after playing Jhansi Ki Rani?
Since
we shoot almost throughout the day its difficult to be normal at times
as I continue to be in my character. The character of Rani Laxmi Bai has
definitely instilled a lot of discipline in my life and I also feel
stronger as a woman playing the role of the Rani. Struggle, Patriotism,
Nationalism and National Integration have found new meaning in my life
post Jhansi KI Rani experience.
Jhansi
Ki Rani is an action packed drama. The war phase has started in the
serial. Did you undergo any special training for the war sequence? Any
anecdotes or experiences while training?
The
hours devoted to training for the battle scenes have been increased and
the actors are up at the crack of dawn to rehearse for the major war
that is currently being shot. I train for nearly 4 hours each day to
perfect my sword wielding technique.
The
ancient art of Malakhamb has been brought to the sets by a trainer in
the efforts to increase my stamina, flexibility and endurance. Malkhamb
is a traditional Indian sport in which a gymnast performs feats and
poses in concert with a vertical wooden pole or rope.
There
have been many such instances where I have fallen off my horse but
Thank God! There has not been any major injury. But, once my horse lost
its way and went haywire… I lost control and was about to fall off a
cliff … Sameer Dharmadhikari rushed in at the right moment and saved my
life. The memories of that day still send shivers down my spine.
What challenges do face shooting for the outdoor war sequences?
With
no stone left unturned in ensuring a grand re-creation of the Azadi
battles, the upcoming episodes will be a sheer delight to watch! It’s a
crazy adventure shooting for the battle sequences! The heat, the grime,
the heavy costumes and jewelry, it can all get very strenuous at times.
In a battle sequence, one ends up damaging or losing a lot of props and
jewelry. So it constantly needs to be replaced and the damaged jewelry
is truly any costume designer’s nightmare. But, the result you see on
screen completely justifies the pains we’re taking!
Re-creating
battles from a bygone era is a challenge in itself. A thousand women
with ornate jewelry ranging from earrings and necklaces to payals and
bangles, hundreds of men in bejeweled pagdis, kadas and traditional
neck-pieces, even animals adorned with olden era baubles and gems — all
to be captured in violent, vigorous battling action is not an easy task.
Tell us about the promo shoot in Kolhapur and the scale of production in the war scenes?
The
historical drama is headed towards an exciting climax and currently the
channel wants to recreate the power, the rage and the magnitude of this
landmark historical war.
People
in the production team say that Zee TV has spent close to Rs.4 Crores
on the final war sequences of the show. Manpower to the order of 2000
soldiers, almost a hundred elephants and horses, bulk orders of
ammunition such as replicas of swords, archery sets, shields and armor,
special war wardrobes for the manpower hired, international graphic
experts flown in to enhance the grandeur of the war sequences have sent
the budget of the show sky-rocketing.
The
patriotic fervor of the country is in full swing during Independence
and Republic Day. Do you see patriotism in a different light after
portraying the role of the Rani?
Yes
definitely! Patriotism will never remain the same for me again. As a
kid we used to celebrate Republic Day with great enthusiasm in school.
Unfurling the Tricolor and singing the National Anthem early morning
filled our hearts with pride but reading about the great leaders and
living the character of a legendary figure, who began the Indian
Revolution against British Colonialism and for Indian independence, day
in and day out changes your outlook towards the concept of ‘Freedom’ and
‘Struggle for Independence’ completely.
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