When Vijayis was introduced to Rani, it is love at first sight. He set out to win her heart by any means possible. Rani finally gave in, and fell madly in love. Rani (Kangna Ranaut) and her family are happily preparing for the big day, the henna has been applied, the family is dancing and celebrating – until the phone rings. Vijay (Rajkumar Rao) has something important to say, he wants to meet for coffee. Vijay has had second thoughts about Rani. He has been moving up the ladder of success at work lately, and Rani is beginning to seem a little too simple and middle class to him now. He calls the wedding off.
Totally humiliated and in shock, Rani hides in her bedroom. Running through a gamut of emotions, she decides to take the much looked forward to honeymoon alone. Rani’s adventure begins in Paris where she is confused and intimidated by the city itself but determined to try her best to enjoy it. She is befriended by Vijayalakshmi (Lisa Haydon), a wildly free party girl who works at Rani’s hotel. Vijayalakshmi is a very liberal thinking person; she has had a live-in boyfriend and a baby out of wedlock. Even though Rani is a simple girl who tends think traditionally, Vijaylakshmi’s friendship changes her. She becomes ever so slightly less ridged in her thinking.
Rani’s next stop is Amsterdam where she is forced to share a hostel room with three young men: a Russian, a Japanese, and a black Frenchman. Rani is traumatized by this situation, but she soon realizes they are respectful of her beliefs and are protective of her. She lets her guard down and befriends them as well.
Queen wonderfully captures the decision making process that leads Rani to have the courage to see what else life has to offer when Plan A fails. Raised in an overprotective environment, Rani’s acceptance and respect for other human beings opens up her world and gives her a new perspective on herself. Best of all, she remains very much herself, but she is no longer shy and looking for approval, Rani has become self aware and confident.
Kangna Ranaut totally inhabits her character. She makes Rani warm, human and believable. Her performance is consistent from beginning to end. Rajkumar Rao, as Vijay, is an exceptional actor. He is understated and subtle as he plays a character who expects the girl he marries to meet his needs, but has no idea that she has needs too. The supporting actors, a funny assortment of characters from all over the world, add frosting and richness to director Vikas Bahl’s cake.