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In 2022, Akshay Kumar portrayed the legendary warrior king, Prithviraj Chauhan, in the historical drama Samrat Prithviraj. Directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the film aimed to bring the story of the Rajput king to life. While the film was praised for its grand scale and historical accuracy, Akshay’s portrayal of Prithviraj faced some criticism, particularly regarding his physical appearance and how it measured up to the expectations of a figure of such historical importance.
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, widely known for his role as Shaktimaan, shared his views on Akshay’s portrayal during an interview with Pinkvilla’s Hindi Rush. He emphasized the importance of physical authenticity when playing monumental characters in history.
Mukesh commented, “Ram, Krishna, even Shaktimaan, I’ll put them in the mix—they are iconic characters. You cannot change their appearance.” He further stressed that such revered figures require a certain level of respect in how they are depicted. He pointed out that taking liberties with these characters could result in backlash, referencing the controversial portrayal of Hanuman in another instance. “Hanuman saying, ‘Hey, your father’s oil will burn; my father’s Lanka will burn’ — that’s taking liberty, and people protested.”
Mukesh continued his critique of Akshay’s portrayal by saying, “Whoever plays the role should at least look like Prithviraj Chauhan when they stand.” He expressed that Akshay’s physical presence didn’t quite convey the regal essence of the character, despite his acting abilities.
Mukesh also mentioned a conversation he had with director Chandraprakash Dwivedi, where he questioned the decision behind Akshay’s look in the film. “Maine toh unke director ko bhi yaha bitha ke interview le chuka hun main Chandraprakash ji ka. Maine bola, ‘Aisa kyun kiya aapne? Wig laga diya, aise ek mooch rakh di, aur woh Akshay Akshay lag raha hai (I even interviewed the director, Chandraprakash ji, and asked, ‘Why did you do this? You put on a wig, gave him a mustache, but he still looks like Akshay.)” For Khanna, the actor’s appearance didn’t do justice to the stature of Prithviraj Chauhan.
In conclusion, Mukesh emphasized the importance of embodying the character physically. “Prithviraj Chauhan has a distinct gait; the actor should look like him when he stands. It requires hard work.” He stressed that portraying such an iconic figure demands more than just costumes or wigs—it requires a true commitment to capturing the essence of the character’s presence.
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