Jhansi Ki Rani TV Serial Cast, Story, Timings, Wiki, Cast Real Name, Starting Date and More

Jhansi Ki Rani is a Kannada TV serial from Colors Super. It is the story of a powerful female warrior.

Let’s Check Out the serial Start Date, Cast Name, Schedule, Wiki etc. It will be available on the Colors Super channel and the Voot app to watch online. The start date is 26 July and the telecast time is 8.00 PM.

Serial Story

The plot revolves around Rani Lakshmi Bai. She commanded the army and fought for India. The challenges from British never bothered her. Witness the epic fight for freedom against the British.

The serial cast has Anuja Sathe, Anushka Sen etc. It involves powerful resistance of a leady warrior against the British.

Jhansi Ki Rani Cast

• Anushka Sen as Rani Lakshmi Bai
• Vikas Manaktala
• Anuja Sathe
• Naveen Pandita
• Andy Von Eich
• Namit Shah
• Jagriti Sethia
• Jason Shah
• Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni
• Rajesh Shringarpure
• Anshul Trivedi
• Ryan Larson
• Mak Mukesh Tripathi
• Ankur Nayyar
• Dolly Sohi
• Himanshu Bamzai
• Vijay Kashyap
• Piyali Munshi
• Gaurav Vasudev

Serial Start Date

26 July 2021

Telecast Time

Monday to Saturday at 8.00 PM

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Note: This article focuses on the most popular and long-running Hindi series, ‘Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani’ (2009-2011), while also mentioning the later 2019 reboot.

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The Indomitable Spirit: Revisiting the Epic Saga of the ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ TV Serial

The tale of Rani Lakshmibai, the valiant Queen of Jhansi, is not just a chapter in history; it is an eternal saga of courage, patriotism, and an unyielding fight against colonial oppression. While her life has been the subject of countless books and films, the television serial ‘Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani’ brought her legendary journey to millions of Indian homes, transforming historical facts into an engaging, dramatic narrative.

This historical drama, which aired on Zee TV, captured the nation’s imagination by showcasing the evolution of a young girl, Manikarnika, into the fierce warrior queen who became a potent symbol of the 1857 Indian Rebellion. It was a spectacle of period grandeur, fierce action, and deep emotional resonance, and remains one of the most memorable historical serials on Indian television.

For fans new and old, here is a definitive guide to the cast, compelling story, original timings, and all the essential details about the iconic television series.

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Jhansi Ki Rani (2009) – Wiki and Key Details

The official title of the series was ‘Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani’, which translates to ‘Story of a Brave Woman – The Queen of Jhansi.’

Detail	Information
Original Title	Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani
Genre	Historical Fiction, Drama, Action-Adventure
Network	Zee TV
Starting Date	August 18, 2009
Ending Date	June 19, 2011
Total Episodes	480
Production House	Contiloe Entertainment
Original Timings	8:00 PM to 8:30 PM (Weekdays)

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The Legendary Cast and Their Real Names

One of the show’s biggest strengths was its impeccable casting, particularly the decision to portray the Queen through two different actresses to capture the transition from a young girl to a mature leader.

The series featured a sprawling ensemble of talented actors who brought the 19th-century political landscape of India to life, embodying both the Maratha royals and the British officers.

The Main Cast

Character Name	Real Name of Actor	Role Description
Young Rani Lakshmibai / Manu	Ulka Gupta	The original, spirited, and valiant young protagonist, Manikarnika “Manu” Tambe.
Rani Lakshmibai	Kratika Sengar	The adult Queen, who takes on the mantle of leadership and becomes the iconic warrior.
King Gangadhar Rao Newalkar	Sameer Dharmadhikari	The Raja of Jhansi and Rani Lakshmibai’s husband.
Tatya Tope	Amit Pachori	Manu’s loyal mentor and one of the pivotal leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Raghunath Singh	Hemant Choudhary	Commander-in-Chief of the Jhansi forces and a key advisor to the King.
Moropant Tambe	Shailesh Dattar	Rani Lakshmibai’s father.
Rao Sahib	Bharat Kaul	The King’s brother.
Baji Rao II	Ravindra Mankani	The Peshwa of Bithoor, in whose court Manu was raised.

Key British Characters

The antagonists in the serial were portrayed by talented actors, many of whom were of foreign origin, lending authenticity to the period drama.

• Captain James Manson / Captain Ross: Edward Sonnenblick – A key British official and antagonist in the early part of the story.
• General Hugh Henry Rose: Thomas Munro – The British Major-General who famously besieged and captured the fort of Jhansi.
• The Earl of Dalhousie: Gary Richardson – The Governor-General of India responsible for the infamous ‘Doctrine of Lapse’.

Other Significant Supporting Cast

• Jhalkaribai: Ishita Vyas – A brave warrior who was a look-alike and close confidante of the Rani.
• Sakhu Bai: Jaya Bhattacharya – One of the King’s sister-in-laws, often involved in palace politics.
• Jankibai: Sunila Karambelkar – Another one of Gangadhar Rao’s sister-in-laws.
• Moti Bai: Shagun Ajmani – A dancer in the court with a complex character arc.
• Ghulam Ghaus Khan: Manoj Verma – The best gunman and loyal artillery commander of the Jhansi State.

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The Grand and Inspirational Story of Jhansi Ki Rani

The narrative of ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ begins not with a queen, but with a vivacious and fearless young girl named Manikarnika, fondly called Manu.

Childhood and Training

Born into a Marathi Brahmin family, Manu is brought up by her father, Moropant Tambe, in the court of Peshwa Baji Rao II in Bithoor. Unlike other girls her age, Manu is trained in warfare, horse riding, and swordsmanship by her guru, Tatya Tope. She harbors a strong sense of patriotism from a young age and constantly clashes with British officers, like Captain Manson, over their oppressive rule and arrogance. This early display of defiance sets the stage for her future as a revolutionary leader.

The Queen Consort

Manu’s life takes a dramatic turn when she is married to the much older King Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the ruler of Jhansi. Upon marriage, she is given the name Lakshmi Bai. The transformation from the free-spirited Manu to the disciplined Queen of Jhansi is a major arc. Her strong, modern perspective often leads to conflicts with the conservative members of the palace, particularly the King’s conniving sister-in-laws, Sakhu Bai and Jankibai, who constantly plot against her.

Rani Lakshmibai quickly earns the respect of the public and the court with her intelligence, administrative skills, and courage, but the British forces see her as a threat. The middle part of the story focuses heavily on the palace intrigue and her repeated attempts to expose and thwart the British Resident Captain Manson and his schemes to annex the kingdom.

Tragedy, Adoption, and the Doctrine of Lapse

The most heartbreaking part of the Rani’s journey is when she suffers personal tragedies. She gives birth to a son, Damodar Rao, but the child tragically dies young. Following this, and anticipating the King’s failing health, they adopt a young boy named Anand Rao, renaming him Damodar Rao, to ensure an heir for Jhansi.

However, upon the King’s death, the British East India Company, under the Doctrine of Lapse—which stated that an Indian princely state’s kingdom would be annexed by the British if the ruler died without a natural male heir—refuses to recognise the adopted son as the rightful successor. Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General, declares Jhansi annexed, throwing the Rani into a fierce, political battle to reclaim her state.

The Path to Rebellion

This act of betrayal and arrogance is the turning point. When the Indian Rebellion of 1857 erupts, the British-held garrison in Jhansi is attacked by mutineers. The Rani, now determined to protect her people and her state, officially assumes the rulership of Jhansi. She raises her own army, famously including the Naari Sena (women’s army) led by her look-alike, Jhalkaribai.

The final act of the serial is a thrilling depiction of her legendary military campaign. The British, now viewing her as an outright enemy, dispatch Major General Hugh Rose to attack and capture Jhansi. The Siege of Jhansi is portrayed with dramatic intensity, culminating in the Rani’s famous escape on horseback with her adopted son, Damodar Rao, tied to her back. She joins other rebel leaders, like Tatya Tope, in the fight.

The series concludes by depicting the valorous final battle where the Rani of Jhansi achieves martyrdom, becoming an immortal symbol of India’s struggle for independence.

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The 2019 Reboot: Khoob Ladi Mardaani – Jhansi Ki Rani

While the 2009 series is the most celebrated adaptation, the same production house, Contiloe Entertainment, produced a reboot in 2019 titled ‘Khoob Ladi Mardaani – Jhansi Ki Rani’ for Colors TV.

• Network and Release: It premiered on Colors TV on February 11, 2019.
• Key Cast: The main role of the young Manikarnika/Rani Lakshmibai was played by actress Anushka Sen. The King, Raja Gangadhar Rao, was played by Vikas Manaktala.
• Run Time: This version had a much shorter run, completing only 110 episodes before going off-air on July 12, 2019, due to low ratings.

Despite the shorter run, this series also attempted to depict the Rani’s journey from a spirited girl to the Queen who fought for her country’s independence.

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Legacy and Impact of the 2009 Series

The ‘Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani’ series left an indelible mark on Indian television:

1. Star-Making Role: It served as a major launchpad for Ulka Gupta, whose portrayal of the young Manu was critically acclaimed and resonated deeply with the audience, leading to her track being extended far beyond the original plan.
2. Historical Revival: The show reignited interest in the life of Rani Lakshmibai and the 1857 Rebellion among a new generation of viewers, making her story accessible and dramatic.
3. High Production Value: It was one of the first historical shows on television to commit heavily to high production value, impressive costumes, detailed set designs, and elaborate action sequences, setting a new benchmark for the genre.
4. Nationalist Sentiment: By chronicling her journey of fighting against the British, the serial tapped into a strong sense of national pride and historical awareness, establishing the Rani as a definitive female icon of bravery and resistance.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the real name of the main actress who played Jhansi Ki Rani?

A: The role of Rani Lakshmibai was played by two actresses in the popular 2009 series Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani. Ulka Gupta played the spirited young protagonist, Manikarnika (Manu), while Kratika Sengar took over the role of the adult Queen Lakshmibai.

Q2: When did the Jhansi Ki Rani TV serial originally start and end?

A: The historical drama Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani premiered on August 18, 2009, on Zee TV. It ran for nearly two years and concluded on June 19, 2011, after successfully completing 480 episodes.

Q3: What was the real name of the King Gangadhar Rao’s actor?

A: The role of King Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the Raja of Jhansi and husband of Rani Lakshmibai, was played by the accomplished Indian actor Sameer Dharmadhikari.

Q4: Who played the role of Tatya Tope in the 2009 TV series?

A: The pivotal character of Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmibai’s loyal mentor and military general, was played by actor Amit Pachori.

Q5: Is there a more recent ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ TV serial?

A: Yes, there was a reboot of the series by the same production house, Contiloe Entertainment, which aired on Colors TV in 2019. Titled Khoob Ladi Mardaani – Jhansi Ki Rani, it starred Anushka Sen as the Queen. However, this series had a much shorter run of only 110 episodes.

Q6: What was the main conflict or story of the Jhansi Ki Rani TV serial?

A: The serial chronicled the life of Manikarnika (Manu) as she transformed into Rani Lakshmibai. The main conflict centered on her personal struggle to govern Jhansi and her growing political and military opposition to the British East India Company, particularly after they attempted to annex her state using the Doctrine of Lapse following her husband’s death. It culminates in her taking part in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.