Samrat Prithviraj: A Look Back at the 2022 Historical Epic

Samrat Prithviraj marks a noteworthy moment in Indian cinema, representing Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s ambitious directorial effort in 2022. This historical drama, produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF), vividly unfolds the story of the 12th-century emperor Prithviraj Chauhan, with Akshay Kumar in the lead role.

The film, which premiered on June 3, 2022, sparked considerable buzz during its production, thanks to its grand scale and intriguing subject matter.

However, the project faced its share of hurdles before it reached viewers. One major change was the title, which shifted from Prithviraj to Samrat Prithviraj after requests from various Rajput community organizations.

While the film set out to provide a magnificent cinematic experience, it arrived during a time when audiences were adjusting their expectations for theatrical releases.

Samrat Prithviraj Movie: Key Information

This film also marked the Bollywood debut for Manushi Chhillar, who took on the role of Sanyogita. Despite the immense pressure surrounding such a high-budget historical epic, many recognized her performance for its grace at various ceremonies [UNCONFIRMED].

Movie released and Budget

Released on 3 June 2022, Samrat Prithviraj received mixed-to-negative reviews with particular criticism directed at its screenplay and execution. As its reported a production budget ranging between ₹150 crore and ₹300 crore, the film underperformed commercially, earning approximately ₹90.32 crore worldwide. This disparity between investment and revenue ultimately led to its classification as a box office failure.

About the Movie: Samrat Prithviraj

Prithviraj is selected as ruler of Delhi. He warns that the consequences of this act will not be good. Jayachand decides to organise a svayamvara for Sanyogita and a rajasuya yagya to grow his empire. He asked for 50 per cent control of Delhi, which Prithviraj refused. Jayachand decides to make a statue of Prithviraj on the doorway of his empire, as per the rituals.

As the svayamvara starts, Sanyogita decides to put the varmala on Prithviraj’s statue. This angers Jayachand. He decides to punish his daughter, but soon Prithviraj approaches with his army and takes Sanyogita as she had chosen Prithviraj as her husband. A furious Jayachand decides to attack Prithviraj but is stopped by his advisors.

Soon Prithviraj and Sanyogita get married. After a few days, Jayachand sends his army to attack other forts under Prithviraj. Soon his army captures Gaudpur Fort. While Prithviraj, Sanyogita, Chand Bardai and others are outside, Kaka Kanha, along with Prithviraj’s army, decides to recapture Gaudpur fort. They are successful in recapturing the fort. Prithviraj decides to attack Jayachand but soon reverses the decision, as Kaka Kanha’s last wish for Prithviraj was to forgive Jayachand. Later, Prithviraj decides to give an equal position to Sanyogita in his darbar. This decision is opposed by other courtiers, but soon Prithviraj manages to get their approval.

After its theatrical run, the film found new life on streaming platforms, with Amazon Prime Video acquiring the exclusive digital rights for Indian audiences.

But the real takeaway isn’t just the box office figures, which landed at around ₹68–70 crore [UNCONFIRMED] against a reported budget of ₹300 crore [UNCONFIRMED]. It’s how the industry navigates the weight of telling historical tales.

When a project holds such high expectations, the disconnect between production scale and audience reception can significantly influence the future of similar high-budget franchises in India.

Verdict

Looking ahead, the legacy of this film offers valuable lessons for studios trying to balance creative expression with community feelings. As production houses invest more in large-scale biopics, the trend towards OTT exclusivity for post-theatrical viewing has become a common economic strategy.

The lessons learned from this release are already influencing how YRF and other major studios approach their future historical projects. Samrat Prithviraj