MOVIE REVIEW: Samrat Prithviraj
Samrat Prithviraj
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Manushi Chhillar, Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood
Director: Chandraprakash Dwivedi
Music Directors: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Peppered with historical inaccuracies, Chandrapraksh Dwivedi’s Samrat Prithviraj is anything but a “historical” drama. Based on Prithviraj Raso, the epic poem written by Chand Bardai (played by Sonu Sood here), the film comes across as a dreary and labored period piece despite being colorful and action packed.
The lion’s share of the blame for this, besides the director of course, will have to be shouldered by Akshay Kumar. The actor, unable to shrug off his starry mannerisms, is a complete misfit as the film’s titular lead, the fearless and righteous warrior-king Prithviraj Chauhan. The only actors who make an impression are Manav Vij as Sultan Mohammad Ghori and Sonu Sood as the poet. Debutante Manushi Chillar as Sanyogita is poised and pretty but in a bland sort of way.
However, on the plus side, the director’s eye for detail is evident in the production design and the costumes. Also, the film tackles the feminist angle with great enthusiasm. Sanyogita is a woman with her own mind and voice, and better still, Prithviraj is shown as a feminist who treats his wife as an equal.
To sum up, if you are okay with watching a 12th-century Hindu ruler liberally spouting Urdu words—just one of the many jarring features—you can go ahead and watch this heavily fictionalized version of history.
TOP 10 SONGS
- Title Song (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2)
- Firecracker (Jayeshbhai Jordaar)
- Naacho Naacho (RRR)
- Saami Saami (Pushpa)
- Mehabooba (KGF 2)
- Maiyya Mainu (Jersey)
- Macha Macha Re (Dasvi)
- Dholida (Gangubai Kathiawadi)
- Whistle Baja (Heropanti 2)
- Chaka Chak (Atrangi Re)
TOP 10 MOVIES
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
- KGF 2
- RRR
- The Kashmir Files
- Anek
- Samrat Prithviraj
- Jalsa
- Gangubai Kathiawadi
- Dasvi
- Dhaakad
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