Yash Raj Films changes title of upcoming Akshay Kumar-starrer to Samrat Prithviraj

Yash Raj Films (YRF) has changed the title of its upcoming period epic Prithviraj (2022) to Samrat Prithviraj in accordance with the wishes of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, a Rajasthan-based outfit.

The group, infamous for its vehement protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's historical romance Padmaavat (2018), had demanded that YRF alter the title of the Akshay Kumar-starrer and screen the film for the community ahead of its official release.

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Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani, in a letter addressed to the Karni Sena's national president Mahipal Singh Makrana and made available to the media, wrote, “As per 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. We are grateful for your complete support, locally and globally, for the release of the film and for the assurances provided in your letter.”

Samrat Prithviraj is set to be released on 3 June. Also starring Manushi Chhillar, Sanjay Dutt and Sonu Sood, the film has been directed by veteran Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi. Interestingly, just over a fortnight ago at the film's trailer launch in Mumbai, Dwivedi had offered a reasoned explanation why he had named the film simply Prithviraj and not Samrat Prithviraj. Now, of course, all that is moot.