Samrat Prithviraj, the much-anticipated historical epic, had set out to dazzle audiences with its grandeur and captivating storytelling. Produced by a company like YRF, that goes hard on production budget, people were truly excited and intrigued for the movie. Unfortunately, this larger-than-life adventure stumbles like a knight in shiny armor, leaving us with a film that’s more yawn-inducing than sword-swinging excitement.
The film draws inspiration from the epic tale of King Prithviraj Chauhan as narrated in the legendary Prithviraj Raso. It aims to capture the essence of the valiant ruler who fearlessly stood against Muhammad Ghori to safeguard his land and honor from foreign invasion and captivity. With such a rich backdrop and potential for an engaging narrative, one would hope for a cinematic experience that leaves us spellbound. Sadly, Samrat Prithviraj falls flat on its face, stumbling over its own grand ambitions.
One of the primary issues with the film lies in its narrative. Instead of taking us on a thrilling adventure, the story meanders along, losing its way in a sea of disjointed scenes. The pacing is all over the place, leaving audiences scratching their heads and wondering when the excitement will kick in. It’s like watching a marathon runner take a leisurely stroll instead of sprinting towards the finish line. It was almost tiring for me to get through the movie.
The cast is severly underused, and the shabby writing adds to the pain
Moreover, the characters in Samrat Prithviraj suffer from a severe case of one-dimensionality. Even Akshay Kumar, playing Prithviraj Chauhan,should have been the pillar of strength and complexity the story demands. Regrettably, he is reduced to a mere caricature, lacking the depth and nuance that could have made him a truly captivating protagonist. It’s a missed opportunity to bring to life a historical figure brimming with potential for depth and complexity. The supporting cast fares no better, as their performances are overshadowed by lackluster writing and forgettable dialogues.
From the visuals to the costume, everything falls all over the place for the movie
Visually too, Samrat Prithviraj misses the mark like an archer with terrible aim. We were promised breathtaking battles and stunning set designs, but what we got was more like a medieval theme park gone wrong. The battle scenes lack the epic scale they deserve, leaving us wondering if the production team accidentally swapped swords for plastic butter knives. Even the costume and makeup departments fall short, as the characters look more like actors playing dress-up rather than authentic inhabitants of the time period. And let’s just not get into the shabby VFX.
To add insult to injury, the film’s editing feels as if it was assembled by someone with a fondness for chaos. The transitions between scenes are jarring, I almost felt like I was caught in a whirlwind. Add to it the unnecessarily long runtime, with scenes that seem to linger longer than our duur ke phupaji at weddings.
In conclusion, Samrat Prithviraj is a missed epic opportunity. Despite its grand ambitions, the film fails to captivate audiences with its lackluster narrative, one-dimensional characters, and underwhelming visuals. It’s a disappointing experience that leaves viewers yearning for the magic and excitement that a historical epic should bring. Sadly, bad days continue to haunt YRF and Aditya Chopra.
