In 2022, Akshay Kumar took on the role of the legendary ruler Prithviraj Chauhan in the ambitious period drama Samrat Prithviraj, backed by Yash Raj Films. The film arrived with considerable anticipation and marked Akshay’s return to the banner, but it ultimately struggled at the box office and received mixed-to-negative feedback. Much of the criticism was aimed at Akshay’s portrayal, with viewers questioning his physicality, body language, and notably, the use of a mustache that many felt appeared artificial.Four years on, the actor has now responded to those critiques in a conversation explaining that the issue wasn’t about avoiding facial hair. He said during a chat with Shubhankar Mishra, “See, I’m working on lots of things, lots of films and lots of looks. Like right now, I have this beard. I took around six weeks to grow it, and during those six weeks I didn’t work. So it’s not like that.”He went on to clarify the creative decision behind the look in the film: “In Samrat Prithviraj, the story required a particular kind of mustache, and that kind of mustache cannot grow naturally on my face. So yes, maybe the fake mustache didn’t look good, maybe a lot of people didn’t like it. But at the end of the day, it’s acting. Growing that exact mustache might not be possible for me. But sometimes you have to do it. And if people didn’t like it, then I am sorry.”On the work front, Akshay was last seen in Bhoot Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan, alongside Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi. The film is currently running in theatres.
