Director Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi is known to create brilliant cinema from path-breaking books like Pinjar, Mohalla Assi, and the iconic television show Chanakya.
Now, he is busy working on another movie Prithviraj, starring Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar, and has finally revealed the inspiration behind the same.
He reveals that this much-awaited historical drama is inspired by the epic Prithviraj Raso.
“Prithviraj is also based mainly on medieval literature, an epic called ‘Prithviraj Raso’ by the great poet Chand Bardai. Apart from a couple of versions of Raso, there are many other literary works on Prithviraj, his life, and times. In addition to these there are commentaries on Raso,” Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi revealed.
The director says that he had to indulge in intensive research on the warrior king. He shared, “I get involved in exhaustive research as I enjoy the process of entering the unknown and unexplored world of great heroes of India and their times. It is like having a dialogue with these great characters in their times. I am sure most of the writers must have experienced this strange phenomenon.”
Chandraprakash added, “Apart from the story, I love to research art, archaeology, costumes, material culture, and available historical data. In other words, I love to do archaeological exploration and excavation in the pages of a literary work or historical fiction to recreate the era and personalities of its time. This gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction as an artist who loves to paint cinema’s canvas with lights and camera.”
“I do not make characters like Prithviraj to make them relevant for young viewers. I choose them as my subject for cinema as they are relevant for our times and all times to come. They are shining bright stars in the galaxy of great historical characters which will inspire many generations to come,” continued the director.
Yash Raj Films is behind the making of this historical Prithviraj which is based on the life and heroism of the fearless and mighty King Prithviraj Chauhan. Akshay Kumar is essaying the role of the legendary warrior who fought valiantly against the merciless Muhammad of Ghor. The ethereally gorgeous Manushi Chhillar plays the role of his beloved Sanyogita.