Mukesh Khanna Criticizes Akshay Kumar’s Look as Prithviraj Chauhan in Samrat Prithviraj

Mukesh Khanna’s Take on Akshay Kumar’s Look in Samrat Prithviraj

Mukesh Khanna, known for his iconic role as Shaktimaan, recently voiced his concerns about Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of Prithviraj Chauhan in the 2022 film Samrat Prithviraj. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Khanna emphasized that an actor portraying a historical figure must ensure that their look accurately reflects the character. He pointed out that people did not perceive Akshay Kumar as Prithviraj Chauhan, as the actor’s appearance didn’t resonate with the historical king’s stature and image.

The Importance of Appearance in Portraying Iconic Characters

Khanna also highlighted the significance of staying true to the appearance of iconic characters, drawing comparisons with figures like Ram, Krishna, and even Shaktimaan. He believes that changing the look of such characters leads to a disconnect with the audience. Referring to Akshay Kumar’s portrayal, he explained that the use of a wig and mustache didn’t help make Akshay look like the legendary king.

A Conversation with Director Chandraprakash Dwivedi

Khanna revealed that he had spoken to Samrat Prithviraj director Chandraprakash Dwivedi about Akshay Kumar’s portrayal. He questioned the director’s choices in Akshay’s look, saying that despite the costume and wig, Akshay still looked like himself rather than embodying the royal presence of Prithviraj Chauhan. Khanna stressed that capturing the essence of such a figure requires effort and attention to detail, especially in the character’s stance and gait.

Prithviraj Chauhan’s Gait: A Key to Authenticity

In his critique, Khanna stressed that Prithviraj Chauhan’s distinct gait is essential for an authentic portrayal. He mentioned that an actor should resemble the character when standing and moving, which he felt was lacking in Akshay Kumar’s performance. According to Khanna, an actor must put in significant effort to mirror the posture and presence of such a historical figure to make the portrayal more believable.