Yash Raj Films has postponed the release of its upcoming Akshay Kumar-starrer Prithviraj because of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the country. The historical epic film was supposed to be released on 21 January.
The news was shared by the veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh on Twitter on Tuesday. He wrote, “Prithviraj not on 21 January. YRF not decided on new release date yet (sic).” The news agency Indo-Asian News Service [IANS] has confirmed the development.
‘PRITHVIRAJ’ NOT ON 21 JAN… YRF NOT DECIDED ON NEW RELEASE DATE YET… #Prithviraj #AkshayKumar #YRF pic.twitter.com/dcIhskw0rf
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 4, 2022
The trailer of Prithviraj was supposed to be released around the end of last month.
Prithviraj teaser: Akshay Kumar is every inch a king in Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s historical epic
The movie, which marks the film debut of former Miss World Manushi Chhillar, is the third major project whose release has been postponed after the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey and SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus RRR. The postponements came in the wake of the Delhi government announcing the shutdown of cinema halls in the Union territory due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.
As per the title, the film is based on the 12th-century ruler of the erstwhile Sapadalaksha kingdom Prithviraj Chauhan. He is best known for combating the forces of Muhammad of Ghor, the ruler of the Ghurid dynasty.
Also starring Sanjay Dutt and Sonu Sood, Prithviraj has been helmed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the director of the classic Doordarshan historical television show Chanakya. His last directorial venture was Mohalla Assi (2018), starring Sunny Deol.