A while ago, it was announced that Akshay Kumar would be portraying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in an upcoming movie, and the criticism from social media has been deafening. It was expected that they would subside when the first look of the movie comes, and well here it is. And no, it does nothing to make things better for the superstar.
For portraying somebody like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, what one needs more than basic physical attributes is an aura of charisma. And that seems to be absent in the now-released first look of Akshay Kumar as the Maratha ruler. The video seems to be shot very amateurish and with a phone! Watch:
Here’s the #FirstLook of AKSHAY KUMAR as CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ… Director #MaheshManjrekar’s #VedatMaratheVeerDaudleSaat is slated for release in #Diwali 2023. #AkshayKumar pic.twitter.com/Yx4XtBDzxx
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 6, 2022
While the ‘Hera Pheri’ star gets the looks right, the sloppy video does not arouse the feelings that one should feel when a person of Shivaji Maharaj’s magnitude walks in all his grandeur. This first look is unfortunately an ignorable one. Here are some reactions:
Again he will ruin it Like Prithviraj with his 40 days discipline .. Worst
Look .— Srikant MahAAjay (@MahajaySrikant) December 6, 2022
Camera angle is so bad even he's thinking where to look lol, another disaster
— Slayer (@Cricnerd36) December 6, 2022
I hope Akshay gives it his best. Whenever he plays roles like these, they seem half baked
— S.M.R (@smrfilms) December 6, 2022
Subodh Bhave’s critically acclaimed performance as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the recent Marathi movie ‘Har Har Mahadev’ is still fresh in people’s minds, and so is Sharad Kelkar‘s performance as the leader in the blockbuster film “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior “. With people already having seen such portrayals, anything less than authentic and committed will ‘not’ be accepted.. Fans are hoping the movie doesn’t turn out to be another ‘Prithviraj’.
With trolls already out regarding the film being another ’40 days’ project for the star, it is hoped that the film ends up doing well. Akshay Kumar is a capable actor in need of a script to get back in the game. With his previous multiple films being disappointments critically and commercially, he desperately needs a theatrical hit.
The badly shot first look can’t be solely attributed to him, but to the makers who felt this a decent way to reveal the character. The movie will reportedly be released in December 2023.
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