Khanna Slams Akshay's Prithviraj Portrayal

Four years after the release of the 2022 film 'Samrat Prithviraj', actor Mukesh Khanna has voiced his critique of Akshay Kumar's performance as the legendary monarch. Khanna told Zoom that Kumar's visual representation of Prithviraj Chauhan was inadequate, emphasizing that simply wearing a wig does not suffice for embodying a historical character.

Khanna detailed the extensive preparation required for such roles, recalling that his own transformation for the character involved 1.5 hours for costumes alone, including a 7-inch tall crown. He also reiterated his prior objections to Ranveer Singh playing Shaktimaan.

Khanna believes that while Singh is a talented actor capable of diverse roles, he lacks the specific appearance suited for Shaktimaan. He previously stated in an interview that Singh's mischievous positivity might suit a villainous role like Tamraj Kilvish, but not the mature depiction required for Shaktimaan.

The television series 'Shaktimaan', which ran from 1997 to 2005 on Doordarshan, featured Khanna in the dual roles of Shaktimaan and his alter ego, Gangadhar. The film 'Samrat Prithviraj' depicted the life of the historical figure known for his battles, including those against Muhammad of Ghor.