A few reports suggest that actress Kangana Ranaut has taken over as the director of Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi as she isn’t happy with director Krish’s work. A clapboard with Ranaut’s name as the director of the film has also gone viral.
However, her spokesperson has rubbished all such claims calling them rumours. According to him, Ranaut did direct a few scenes in the film because Krish had to leave for a few days to fulfill prior commitment as the director of the N T Rama Rao biopic.
“Krish had to go to shoot the NTR biopic as per his commitment. He said he can shoot these scenes later but then the film won’t get released on 25 January. But Kangana met Krish and said that they have to release it on the scheduled date. So, she has taken over the mantle just for few scenes and calling the shots. But she is not taking over as the director. Some of these are patchwork scenes that are reshot,” said the spokesperson.
He also clarified that the image of the clapboard with Ranaut's name is in fact real, but the reason for it being their is just to avoid confusions later. “Her name on the clapboard is mentioned for only those scenes to facilitate continuity, editing and help the crew. The editor is not on the sets, so he should know if the same scene is shot by different directors. To avoid the confusion is the biggest reason behind doing it. But people have spread all kinds of rumours,” he added.
A source close to the film's production informed us that Krish was requested to delay the biopic but that couldn’t happen. “Krish said that he is bound by his contract, so he can’t do anything. There were negotiations and debates. But then Manikarnika has to be released on the 25 January come what may. Hence, Kangana took over for few scenes,” the source said.