Samrat Prithviraj Review: Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar’s period drama looks visually magnificent but offers a mediocre story

Film: Samrat Prithviraj

Director: Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood, Manushi Chhillar, Manav Vij, Ashutosh Rana, Sakshi Tanwar

Bollywood Bubble ratings: 3/5 stars

Samrat Prithviraj movie review: 

Over years, throughout the history of Cinema, we have seen some spectacular period dramas that have not only struck us with its grandeur in nature but their magnitude is quite effective as well. Be it Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat or even Mughal-e-Azam. There is something about these period dramas that teleports to that era. It has the potential to captivate you with its grandness. Speaking of Samrat Prithiviraj, the movie is an average affair. The period drama looks visually magnificent but offers a mediocre story.

Story:

Based on the poem, Prithviraj Raso, the film tells the story of the Rajput warrior and King Prithviraj Chauhan of the Chauhan dynasty, who clashes with Muhammad Ghori, a ruler from the Ghurid Dynasty who led the Islamic Conquest of Hindustan. Later, Prithviraj is crowned as the King of Delhi which makes Kannaujpati Jayachandra furious who is also aiming to rule Delhi. Amidst the animosity and unfaltering wars, Prithviraj and Princess Sanyogita fall in love with each other via love letters. She even tries to pursue her parents for a marriage alignment but her father doesn’t budge due to his jealousy toward Samrat. Knowing that his daughter is married to Samrat, he still tries to seize Delhi at any cost.

Star Performances: 

Akshay Kumar as the Rajput warrior and king Prithviraj Chauhan is quite impressive. Breaking the images of a social worker, army officer, a comedian, Akshay plays a warrior or historic figure in the movie. Akshay plays a warrior who is a feminist and a strong ruler fighting for his and people’s honour, most importantly a women’s honour too. He is a man who will not accept interference from the foreigners trying to seize his land as their own. As this is the first time where we are seeing Akshay Kumar as Samrat Prithviraj, it was hard to digest when I watched the trailer. But as expected, in some scenes, we can spot Akshay and not the character he is playing. In some parts, I wasn’t even buying Akshay as the Samrat which was a little unappealing.

Manushi Chhillar who makes her Bollywood debut essays the role of Princess Sanyogita is beautiful. She is fierce and smart. She is headstrong and will not dither once to make her statements and wants clear in front of anyone, even if it is her father. She falls in love with Samrat just by listening to his stories and is quite bold enough to make her feelings clear before the King. Beauteous Manushi looks ethereal as a princess and Queen; however, her stance and poise lack that charm. She does not convince me like a Princess. Speaking about her performance, she does a fair job.

Sanjay Dutt is exceptional as Kaka Kanha. He is someone who will kill anyone if a person gives tav to his moustache in front of Prithviraj. He essays the role of Prithviraj’s uncle and he does a fab job.

Sonu Sood delivers a strong performance as Chand Vardai aka Prithvi Chand Bhatt. He plays one of the ministers and the king’s close friend. If his uncle is his left hand, Bhatt is Prithvi’s, right-hand man.

Direction/ Screenplay:

Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, director of the movie, tries to teleport us to the Chauhan dynasty, scaling up everything, grander than grand, a-glitter but offers nothing new that we have not already seen before. The first half of the film was quite gripping and surprising well narrated; however, it is the second half that seemed nothing less than a typical Bollywood sequence. There are some scenes that suck us from the periodical time and throw us to the 2022 era; It seems pretty absurd.

Watch or not:

Yes, to witness the grandness and the elaborate war sequences, Samrat Prithviraj is best to be enjoyed in the theatres only. The period drama is not as authentic as one would expect it to be.

Watch the Samrat Prithviraj trailer here:

 

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Also read: Samrat Prithviraj: Akshay Kumar starrer declared tax free in UP, announces CM Yogi Adityanath