'People need to stop suppressing women'

Mumbai: For actor Kangana Ranaut, who is bringing Rani Laxmibai's story to the big screen with Manikarnika, her female co-stars are crucial to the biopic.A firm believer of women power, she says people need to stop suppressing them.

For Kangana, it is the courageous streak of the freedom fighter that resonated with her.

She said in a statement: "Growing up, I was considered a child hero, absolutely sensitive and obedient but when I felt I needed to break free I just took off. No one from the family was allowed to speak to me but my mother would hide and call me and softly ask what did you eat? No other questions."

"In those days, I realised love and God is the ultimate truth and both are woman. Since then I have become a firm believer of women power which can empower us."

"We don't need to empower them, they are powerful, and they are the very reason why humanity and human race exists. How can we empower them?

"We just don't need to suppress them, that's all...we need to recognise their subtle, sophisticated and superior strength and respect that. Rani Laxmibai was a firm believer of women and their power and she utilised it to the fullest."

With her upcoming film, Kangana Ranaut wants to pay a worthy homage to Rani Laxmibai.