Apart from proving her acting prowess time and again, Kangana Ranaut is also one of the few actresses in B-town known to get cash registers ringing at the box office. After the super success of her 2014 film Queen, the talented actress suddenly became a superstar overnight. And from thereon, though most of her films didn’t work at the BO except for Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Kangana has been a force to reckon with in the film industry. TWMR released in 2015 and ended becoming one of the biggest grossing films of that year. However, what’s worrying is the fact that the 2015 romantic drama was her last hit. Manikarnika Teaser: Kangana Ranaut's Queen of Jhansi Act Will Leave You Super-Impressed! (Watch Video).

Post Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Kangana had four releases – I Love NY, Katti Batti, Rangoon, and Simran. None of them impressed the critics or the audience and hence a lot is riding on Kangana’s next release which also happens to be her most awaited and ambitious project – Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.

The filming of the historical biographical film started almost two years back in May 2017. Co-starring television actress Ankita Lokhande, Atul Kulkarni and Jisshu Sengupta, Manikarnika got embroiled in quite a few controversies, making it difficult for the team to complete the shooting. First, the film grabbed headlines when a clapboard photo from the sets of the film with Kangana’s name as the director went viral and later the actress had nasty fallout with Sonu Sood who then exited the project midway. After all the hurdles, Manikarnika is now finally releasing on Friday, January 25. Manikarnika: Queen of Jhansi Trailer - 5 Best Moments from Kangana Ranaut's Historical Saga That Stun Us.

Considering Kangana is returning to the big screen after almost a year-and-half, there is a lot of excitement around her film. Plus, Manikarnika has been partially directed by the 31-old-actress and is also the first period war drama riding entirely on the shoulders of a heroine. So it’s important that Manikarnika does well at the ticket windows because that will reaffirm everyone’s faith in the fact that Ms Ranaut can still mint big money at the BO on her own. She still doesn’t need a hero to deliver a box office success. Also, it's the best way for her to show the industry folks that she can survive on her own despite being a headstrong female actress who doesn't mind ruffling few feathers if need be.

Also, January isn’t considered a lucky month for movie releases. However, after the fantastic run of Vicky Kaushal starrer Uri: The Surgical Strike at the domestic box office, there is a lot of hope for Manikarnika too. So will Kangana be back ruling the box office with her much-awaited film? Let's hope so for everyone's sake!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2019 10:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).