Akshay Kumar’s Prithviraj title changed to Samrat Prithviraj a week before its release

The title of Prithviraj, Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film has been changed to Samrat Prithviraj. The film directed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi is a sprawling period drama based on the life and times of Samrat Prithviraj. It features Kumar alongside former Miss World Manushi Chhillar, Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood and others. News of the film’s title change comes a week ahead of its release.

For the uninitiated, the Akshay Kumar-led film has been mired in controversy. Following a PIL filed by Shree Rajput Karni Sena, Yash Raj Films, the makers of Prithviraj decided to rename the film to Samrat Prithviraj. In its letter, YRF said, “We sincerely appreciate your effort in alerting us about your grievance in relation to the current title of the Film, and assure you that we did not, and do not, intend to hurt the sentiments of any person(s) or disrespect the late king and warrior, Prithviraj Chauhan. In fact, we wish to celebrate his bravery, achievements, and contribution to our nation’s history, through this Film,”

It further addressed the president of Shree Rajput Karni Sena saying, “As per the multiple rounds of discussions between us, and to peacefully and amicably resolve the raised grievance, we will change the title of the Film to “Samrat Prithviraj”. We are highly appreciative of the mutual agreement reached between us that you have no further objections with regards to our Film and that all other points raised by you earlier are no longer a point of contention between us. We thank Shri Rajput Karni Sena and its members for understanding our good intentions pertaining to the depiction of the great warrior in the Film.”

Samrat Prithviraj is based on an epic poem by Chand Bardai titled Prithviraj Raso. The film will see Akshay Kumar as the warrior king alongside debut actress Manushi Chhillar who plays princess Sanyogita. Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt plays Kaka Kanha and Sonu Sood plays poet Chand Bardai.

The film arrives in cinemas on June 3.