Samrat Prithviraj Review: The Akshay Kumar period film, is based on Chand Bardai’s Prithviraj Raso, a 13th-century epic poem that rose to prominence in the 19th century. While the hype was at its peak, and the expectations soared being an Akshay film, It was certainly did not live up to its expectations, and that is precisely what leaves us disappointed as we exit the theatre.
It’s a film about battle and heroism, which necessitates less sloganeering and more combat. If the dialogue-baazi doesn’t put you to sleep and you manage to remain up for the sparse fight scenes, you’ll be put off by the horrible CGI that greets you there. It’s hard to believe this is a YRF production!
Sonu Sood portrays a fictitious bard in Samrat Prithviraj. Despite his status as a public messiah off-screen, Bollywood continues to use Sonu Nigam to sing songs for Akshay Kumar, the true heroic hero on screen.
It isn’t, however, a solo performance. Sanjay Dutt plays the warrior kaka, who has no link to Mahabhrarata’s Dhritarashtra despite being the father-figure, and whose akhand pratigya is to behead anyone who twirls his moustache in front of the king.
While Sonu takes on the role of Bran Stark, foreseeing the future in flashes and warning everyone not to mess with vidhi ka vidhaan like a soothsayer. Sanjay adopts his Munnabhai demeanour, which stands out like a sore thumb. By the time the break arrives, you wish its over.
Watch Samrat Prithviraj Here
Sanyogita, played by Manushi Chillar, is the most uninspiring princess we’ve ever seen in a historical drama. Manushi resembles a faded image, much like the film’s overall appearance and atmosphere. There’s a lot of discourse about Sanyogita’s role in women’s empowerment, as well as a clever jab at ‘Dilli ki gaddi mein pehli aurat,’ but… we’re sorry, we dozed off. Now it’s time to talk about Akshay Kumar.
Samrat Prithviraj played by Akshay Kumar is less Chauhan and more Kapoor, and his pitch when he growls ‘Qutubuddin Aibak’ is identical to that of the first representative of the Kapoor Clan in Bollywood, who roared ‘Saleeeeem’ in Mughal-E-Azam (1960)! In the movie universe, the totems that scream power — symbolically and practically — haven’t altered. It rests on Akshay Kumar’s large yet sloping shoulders in this position.