Story
Samrat
Prithviraj
opens
in
a
gladiator-like
setting
in
Ghazi,
Afghanistan
where
a
frail,
blinded
Samrat
Prithviraj
(Akshay
Kumar)
is
seen
exhibiting
his
valour
as
he
locks
horns
with
ferocious
lions.
A
crowd
of
spectators
along
with
Sultan
Mohammad
Ghori
(Manav
Vij)
hold
their
breath
and
watch
this
display
of
raw
masculinity
and
bravura.
The
period
drama
then
hits
the
rewind
button
and
takes
us
through
some
chapters
of
Samrat
Prithviraj's
life.
Right
from
the
First
Battle
Of
Tarrain
where
he
had
his
adversary
Mohammad
Ghori
at
his
feet
to
how
this
'last
Hindu
king' had
to
face
defeat
and
then
ultimately
death,
owing
to
a
betrayal.
In
between,
the
makers
also
squeeze
in
how
Prithviraj
has
to
deal
with
his
future
father-in-law
Jaychand
(Ashutosh
Rana)
in
order
to
marry
his
daughter
Sanyogita
(Manushi
Chhillar),
who
is
head
over
heels
in
love
with
him.
Direction
Dr
Chakraprakash
Dwivedi
picks
up
elements
from
the
Braj
epic
poem
'Prithviraj
Raso'
and
other
literary
accounts
to
build
his
film,
Samrat
Prithviraj.
Despite
having
an
absorbing
plot,
the
filmmaker
who
is
also
the
writer
of
the
film,
fails
to
structure
it
in
a
way
that
it
has
the
right
mix
of
drama
and
action.
Initially,
the
characters
speak
in
epithets
which
also
distracts
you
a
bit.
There
are
places
where
the
storytelling
feels
rushed.
The
war
sequences
are
top-notch
in
terms
of
technicality
but
they
lack
the
thrills.
A
major
sequence
involving
Manushi
Chhillar's
character
Sanyogita
gives
you
a
Padmaavat
deja
vu.
In
a
narrative
that
is
majorly
sprinkled
with
dialogues
around
'yudh'
and
'dharm',
Dr
Dwivedi
makes
sure
to
impact
some
lessons
on
women
empowerment
as
well.
Performances
As
heavy
as
it
may
sound,
Akshay
Kumar
is
a
miscast
as
Samrat
Prithviraj.
Except
the
war
sequences
where
the
superstar
has
his
fitness
and
flexibility
to
his
advantage,
he
completely
falls
flat
when
it
comes
to
enacting
complex
emotions
on
screen.
One
wished
that
Kumar
had
focused
more
on
his
body
language
and
voice
modulation.
Speaking
about
the
debutante
Manushi
Chhillar,
she
looks
radiant
and
is
a
good
dancer.
However,
the
actress
has
a
long
way
to
go
when
it
comes
to
heavy-duty
emotions.
Sanjay
Dutt
as
Samrat
Prithviraj's
counsel
Kaka
Kanha
is
all
flesh
and
blood,
but
alas,
he
is
let
down
by
some
insipid
dialogues.
Sonu
Sood
as
court
poet
Chand
Bardai
who
also
doubles
up
as
an
astrologer,
is
sincere
in
his
act.
Manav
Vij
delivers
what's
written
for
him,
but
fails
to
send
shivers
down
the
spine.
Ashutosh
Rana
and
Sakshi
Tanwar
make
the
most
out
of
their
respective
roles.
Technical
Aspects
Samrat
Prithviraj
makes
up
a
little
bit
for
its
flaws
by
treating
you
to
a
visual
treat
captured
on
the
lens
by
Manush
Nandan.
Be
it
the
rich
'pink' hues
of
gulaal
in
the
air,
the
'saffron'
in
the
royal
turbans
or
the
yellow
of
the
barren
war-field,
every
frame
drips
with
richness.
Aarif
Sheikh
pulls
off
an
okayish
job
on
the
editing
table.
Music
Sanchit
and
Ankit
Balhara's
background
score
lacks
a
gripping
feeling.
While
the
songs
in
Samrat
Prithviraj
appeal
to
the
eyes,
they
barely
register
on
your
lips.
Verdict
"Ek
rajkumari
ne
ek
rakumar
ki
veerta
ki
kahaaniya
sun
sun
kar
sapne
bun
liye
thhe,
ki
ek
din
woh
rajkumar
aayega
aur
usse
ghode
pe
le
jayega,"
goes
a
dialogue
in
Samrat
Prithviraj.
While
Akshay
Kumar's
warrior
king
does
arrive
in
a
grand
way,
he
simply
fails
to
transport
you
to
a
world
that
has
a
lot
of
blood
rushing
through
its
veins.
Despite
all
the
opulence,
his
historical
film
leaves
you
feeling
underwhelmed.