"I want to pay a worthy homage to Rani Laxmibai," says Kangana Ranaut, who has dived straight into the post-production of Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi after wrapping up the first schedule of Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's Panga.

While the film's journey to the editing table hasn't been without its share of struggles, the actor-director insists the biopic is shaping up the way she had envisioned - with women taking centrestage. Considering the film celebrates the fighting spirit, Ranaut points out that it was crucial to rope in female actors who would do justice to the fierce characters etched out for them.