THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI

November 15, 2019

Directed by Swati Bhise
Written by Swati Bhise, Devika Bhise & Olivia Emden
Starring Devika Bhise, Rupert Everett, Nathaniel Parker, Ben Lamb with Jodhi May and Derek Jacob

The Warrior Queen of Jhansi tells the true story of the legendary Rani (translation: Queen) of Jhansi, a feminist icon in India and a fearless freedom fighter.

In 1857 India, this 24-year old General led her people into battle against the British Empire earning the reputation as the Joan of Arc of the East. This real-life Wonder Woman’s insurrection shifted the balance of power in the region and set in motion the demise of the notorious British East India Company and the beginning of the British Raj under Queen Victoria.

The Warrior Queen of Jhansi Official Trailer

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———- June 11, 2019 ————

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS ACQUIRES HISTORICAL EPIC

THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI

FOR FALL 2019 RELEASE

*The true story of a revolutionary 19th century Indian feminist icon Queen, the Rani of Jhansi, marks the feature debut of scholar Swati Bhise with an international cast led by Devika Bhise, Rupert Everett and Derek Jacobi*

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 11, 2019) – ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Swati Bhise’s THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI, it was announced by Roadside co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.

SYNOPSIS: 1850s India. Ruled by the British and the pernicious East India Company, discontent and rebellion stirs amongst the Indian people. In Jhansi, the province’s inspirational leader the Rani (Hindi for “Queen”) seeks peaceful solutions, but to no avail. As the British grow more aggressive, she has no choice but to fight for her kingdom and lead her troops to preserve their freedom.

Thousands of miles away, Queen Victoria, ruler of the British Empire, seeks a resolution to the escalating situation with minimal force. But after a bloody siege at Jhansi fort, during which many lives are lost, the Rani becomes a growing symbol of Indian resistance. Gathering alliances, she must lead her people into a battle that will ultimately change the shape of history.

THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI tells the true historical story of the Rani (translation: Queen) of Jhansi, a feminist icon in India and a fearless, freedom fighter – a real-life Wonder Woman who earned a reputation as the Joan of Arc of the East when in 1857 India, as a 24-year old General, she led her people into battle against the British Empire.

Her insurrection shifted the balance of power in the region and set in motion the demise of the notorious British East India Company and the beginning of the British Raj under Queen Victoria.

The historical epic’s international cast is led by Devika Bhise (The Man Who Knew Infinity), Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Madness of King George), Derek Jacobi (The King’s Speech, Gladiator), Ben Lamb (Divergent, Now You See Me 2), Jodhi May (The Last of the Mohicans, “Game of Thrones”) and veteran Hindi actors Yatin Karyekar, Milind Gunaji, Ajinkya Deo, and Arif Zakaria.

The film was directed, produced, and co-written by Swati Bhise (producer of The Man Who Knew Infinity) through her production company, Cayenne Pepper Productions. Devika Bhise and Olivia Emden are co-writers. Devika Bhise served as executive producer. The distribution deal was brokered by CAA.

Writer/Director Swati Bhise, a British and Indian History scholar, was dedicated to the accuracy of THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI, meticulously researching the Queen’s life, as well as spending 13 months creating the elaborate period costumes. The film’s relevancy to today’s global conversation – on feminism, freedom, trade, love, war, and human rights – prompted its winning the Impact Award at the 2019 Vancouver Women in Film and TV Festival.

“Women have often changed history, but their sagas are rarely told,” said Bhise. “It’s a rare honor to present a female Asian lead in Western Cinema, and more so since the Rani was an ordinary woman, yet she defied gender norms and set an example of empowerment for all women. Roadside Attractions shares our passion in bringing The Warrior Queen’s incredible, inspiring true story and the sweeping rich history of India to audiences worldwide.”

“THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI is an inspirational and powerful true story of a great leader who so clearly demands big screen treatment,” said Roadside Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff in a joint statement.

“With her first film, Swati Bhise has created a beautiful epic about an amazing 19th century woman who controlled her own destiny and changed the world, by rallying her people and leading an army against British Imperialism. We’re proud to work with Swati in bringing her relevant and fascinating film to U.S. audiences this fall.”

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