Prithviraj: Sunny Deol, Aishwarya Rai were the first choices for the film? Know everything about the upcoming epic

Akshay Kumar starrer Prithviraj is all set to arrive in cinemas this year. Fans would have already seen the film in January had the third wave of Covid-19 not struck and caused yet another delay for the project. Produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner the movie has once again recalibrated and now set a new release date for the month of June.

The film which will see Akshay playing the Chauhan dynasty ruler Prithviraj while Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar will be seen marking her debut with the historical drama as princess Sanyogita. Releasing two new motion posters from the movie Akshay announced on social media that Prithviraj will now arrive in cinemas on June 10, 2022.

Also Read: 'Prithviraj' director Chandraprakash Dwivedi dedicates his Padma Shri to the country calls it a 'huge moment' in his life

Prithviraj story and timeline

Written and directed by filmmaker Chandraprakash Dwivedi the Akshay Kumar starrer is based on the epic Braj poem Prithviraj Raso which narrates the life story of for the ruler of Ajmer who reigned between the years 1178–1192. The movie will cover the war Prithviraj fought against Muhammad Ghori.

Chandraprakash Dwivedi ha apparently written the project in 2010 and originally planned to make the film with Sunny Deol and Aishwarya Rai . The project stayed on the shelf for nearly a decade since the filmmaker didn’t find a production house to back it only for it to be eventually picked up by Yash Raj Films.

Prithviraj the movie went on floors in 2019 in Jaipur but hit a snag when the pandemic struck in March 2020. The makers initially had Diwali 2020 in sight for release but the project was never completed in time and cinemas remained shut for prolonged period of time.

After failing to arriving in cinemas on 21 January 2022 as initially planned after the long delay, the movie has now set a release date for June.

Cast and budget

While Akshay and Manushi are the poster figures for Prithviraj the film boasts of a promising ensemble cast. Sanjay Dutt with be playing Prithiviraj’s uncle Kaka Kanha who was great warrior who joined the Chauhan king in most of his conquests.

Sonu Sood is the poet of the epic poem Prithviraj Raso on which the movie is based in Dwivedi’s Prithviraj while Manav Vij plays the villain Muhammad Ghori. Ashutosh Rana , Sakshi Tanwar also star in the movie in key roles.

One of the biggest films in YRF’s arsenal at the moment, the production house has spared no cost in ensuring the film looks and feels as grand as its characters and narrative. According to reports, Prithviraj has been mounted on a budget of over Rs. 220 crores.

The first promo of Prithviraj was released in November 2021 but fans are yet to see a trailer.