Semwal told the film's producers Kamal Jain and Zee Studios of her decision last week after a meeting with them. "After the meeting, I realised that it [the role] was not so significant anymore, she told IANS. "It was not what we signed for when I signed the film, so we decided to part ways.
Directed by Krish and starring Ranaut as the nineteenth-century warrior queen Laxmibai, Manikarnika has been dogged by controversy. Ranaut has been accused of taking over the production and replacing Krish. The Telugu filmmaker has reportedly moved on to his next film, the biopic on Telugu acting legend and politician NT Rama Rao. Actor Sonu Sood, who was a part of the original cast, left Manikarnika in August after Ranaut started directing cast and crew members at the shoot. Sood's character, the Maratha Army general Sadhashivrao Bhau, will now be played by Zeeshan Ayyub.
4