A fearless queen, a legendary warrior and an unrelenting brave-heart - COLORS presents ‘Khoob Ladi Mardani – Jhansi Ki Rani’

Witness unknown facets of an ordinary young girl, Manikarnika as she evolves to become Rani Laxmi Bai, starting February 11, 2019 at 9:30 PM.

Bravery knows no gender. The earliest of our memories about women who have shown outstanding courage and fought against the odds is one of Manikarnika Tambe aka Rani Lakshmibai, Queen of Jhansi. Her words “Mein Meri Jhansi Nahi Dungi”, I shall not surrender my Jhansi - even if not witnessed, had left a mark on the subject of women empowerment way before it became an actual movement. But history often forgets to recounts the emotional and tender side of a young Manikarnika and the turmoil she had to endure to metamorphose into a feisty warrior. Adapting this epic period drama on screen, COLORS launches Khoob Ladi Mardani...Jhansi Ki Rani. The show is expected to delve into the untold aspects of her life along with accounts of her bravado. Produced by Abhimanyu Singh of Contiloe Pictures and featuring Anushka Sen as Manikarnika, Dabur Red Tooth Paste presents ‘Khoob Ladi Mardani – Jhansi Ki Rani’ premieres today and will air every Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM on COLORS.

Manikarnika was born in the holy city of Varanasi to a patriotic father, who later became a major influence in shaping her world in and around virtues of freedom and nationalism. What makes the show unique than its previous installments is that the makers have gone beyond the courage and bravado and has highlighted how the great queen battled multiple internal conflicts, challenged societal stigmas and rebelled against the British to become a legend. Belonging to an era, where women were looked down upon and restrained to childbearing and rearing, the queen proved her vigour and heroism by emancipating her British-sympathizing husband and becoming a pillar of strength for her motherland especially her land, Jhansi.

On putting forth such compelling content, Nina Elavia Jaipuria – Head, Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18, said, “COLORS has always mounted the historical-mytho genre gloriously and tapped into storylines that are hitherto untold. Riding high on the success of shows like Chakravartin Samrat Ashoka, Karmphaldata Shani, and Mahakaali, we bring to the viewers another epic tale of a queen whose act of courage and heroism inspire many even today. From being a young demure girl, Manikarnika, to a compassionate wife of a pro-British King and ultimately holding the reins of Jhansi – Rani Laxmi Bai’s overall life-story is bound to mesmerize the viewers.”

She further added, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the lady police officers of Mumbai Police for joining us in this endeavor and being the role models of millions of women across the country to be Jhansi Ki Rani in their own right.”

Adding further, Manisha Sharma, Chief Content Officer, Hindi Mass Entertainment said, “The story of Khoob Ladi Mardani – Jhansi Ki Rani is quite apt in today’s time as it’s based on empowerment.

It beautifully portrays the story of a brave young girl who believed freedom was her birth right. On getting married to Gangadhar Rao at a tender age, Manikarnika’s faith grew strong of setting India free from the British rule. But, reality hit her hard as she found out that her husband was completely controlled by the Britishers. And, since then her struggle for freedom started with the first one being to convert her pro – Britisher husband’s thought.”

Niyati Thaker, Deputy Commissioner of Police said, “Women across India fight multiple battles but they often need a reminder of what change, the power within them can bring. We all have the passion of Jhansi Ki Rani inside us, we just need to be brave enough to embrace these powers. With this association, we want to inspire women to actively stand up for their rights and fearlessly voice their opinions”.

Abhimanyu Singh, CEO, Contiloe Pictures said, “Khoob Ladi Mardani...Jhansi Ki Rani is an evergreen inspirational nationalist story that needs to be told to every generation. While the viewers have heard stories of this legendary queen, not many are aware of the challenges she faced after getting married at a tender age. To revive a historical saga, it’s very critical that we take the viewers back in time with the scale, costumes, presentation and the production value. They say it was during this revolt that the new and young India was born, and it is very important that we represent it right by focusing on the nuances of that time. We are confident that the viewers will connect to this emotional journey of our Jhansi Ki Rani.”

The launch of the show was attended by the brave lady police officers from the Mumbai police force. While the show is rewritten on the pages of bravely and courage by a women of different era, these real-life heroines or 'warrior queens' reflect the same spirit on a daily battleground – protecting citizens from dusk to dawn every day. The highlight of the event saw the officers sharing their personal stories of encountering the odds and coming out victorious. Role models in every sense of the word, the officers’ anecdotes of self-belief, display of courage and patriotism left everyone in the room moved and inspired.

The cast of the show includes Anushka Sen, Vikas Manaktala, Rajesh Shringarpure, Vijay Kashyap, Anshul Trivedi, and Anuja Sathe. The stellar and talented cast will take the viewers on an emotional journey of a young timid girl who comes of age and gives her all for the freedom of her motherland. The show is also expected to not just entertain the viewers but also provide knowledgeable inputs about the brave queen and her struggles. Further, it will also act as an inspiration for women to step up against the odds faced in their day-to-day life and come home undefeated.

Premiering February 11, 2019. The show will air every Monday to Friday at 9:30 PM only on COLORS.