It would be no exaggeration to compare Kota Rani to Cleopatra. A lot of things we are witnessing today are directly related to her story, says Madhu Mantena, Producer
Amidst the removal of Article 370 in Kashmir, two Bollywood production houses are coming up with a film based on Kota Rani, the last Hindu queen who ruled over Kashmir before Islamic rule came in power in the valley. Queen Kota Rani ruled in 13th century AD, after which Shah Mir dynasty became the first foreign rulers of a state that was a centre of Indian philosophy and Shaivism.
The plot of the film will showcase what Queen Kota Rani has done to save the valley from invaders. She was said to be an exceptionally beautiful woman as well as a great administrator and military strategist. She fought and protected Kashmir against many central Asian raiders. She used her beauty to gain power over men who threatened her beloved Kashmir but eventually was surrounded by enemies from outside and within.
Producer Madhu Mantena said, “It’s a matter of great surprise that as Indians we don’t know enough or at all about a personality like Kota Rani. It would be no exaggeration to compare her to Cleopatra and a lot of things that we are witnessing today are directly related to her story. Her life was extremely dramatic and she is perhaps one of the most able woman rulers India has produced till now. It would be a shame not to know about her.”
Shibashish Sarkar, the CEO of a studio that’s co-producing the movie added, “Our main aim is to make a remarkable film on Kota Rani, which will reach as many people as possible. Her character has many shades but without a doubt, she is one of the tallest female characters to have come out of our country. Paradoxically very few of us know how she kept Kashmir valley away from the invaders.”
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