Akshay Kumar shines as Samrat Prithviraj l Mini Review

by: Amit Kumar Agarwal
 

Many times a film excels a weak theatrical trailer, Samrat Prithviraj is a film in this category!
 
Prithivraj was the last king of Delhi, before the invaders took control of Delhi, paving way for islamic invasion of India; an invasion India very valiantly thwarted for more than five centuries. Western scholars often wondered what made the invaders struggle so long to get a foothold in India, for Persia and many illustrious kingdoms fell like nine-pins! Anyways, this entire story can make for another very interesting film. Here, the story is about Prithiviraj Chauhan.

Samrat Prithviraj is based on Chand Bardai's "Prithviraj Raso". The valor of Prithivraj, him pardoning Mohammad Ghori, his love-story with Sanyogita and avenging himself by killing Mohammad Ghori.
 
The story has all the meat to be a blockbuster; while screenplay here is just average, not great, direction is one aspect that could have been much more effective. The writer feels it because there are many sequences in the film that elicit claps and whistles, yet that extra stroke of brush of direction would've given the film an extra-edge and would've left the viewers with an indelible impression. For example, the scene where Sanyogita goes with Prithviraj is a high-point, a simple shot where ladies shower flowers on the couple would've added an extra-polish to the scene. Or the scenes of Prithviraj's duel with the lions, slo-mo shots of Prithviraj riding the lion would've given the scene a cinematic edge. These small details are exactly what S.S. Rajamouli and Sanjay Leela Bhnasali master.
 
The biggest flaw of the film is, it doesn't effectively show the deceit that Ghori resorted to catch  Prithviraj and his army off-guard during the battle.

Akshay Kumar lives the role of Samrat Prithviraj such that you can see no other actor in his place. He is simply too perfect! Sonu Sood excels as Chand Bardai. Sanjay Dutt is aptly cast as Kaka Kanha. Manushi Chillar makes a supremely confident debut as Sanyogita, her dialogue delivery and dance in the 'Yodha' song need special mention. Manav Vij gets limited scope as Mohammad Ghori, also writers have not really brought about his cruelty.

Samraj Prithiviraj doesn't have the opulence of Bajirao Mastani or Padmaavat, but if you liked these, you are sure to like Samrat Prithviraj as well.
 
Owing to the subject-matter, a section of audience will be cut-off from the film, with countries like Kuwait and Oman, already banning the film. Yet, as predicted earlier, the film will cross 100-crores and will be a win-win situation for everyone in the distribution-line involved including it's exhibitors. On Satellite and OTT's the film will be an all-time blockbuster. Theatrically the film had everything going for it, but for the direction; still a winner!