Akshay Kumar to go back to working in films like Housefull and Rowdy Rathore after the failure of his first historical Samrat Prithviraj?

Samrat Prithviraj (2022), Akshay Kumar's most recent film, has not been a commercial success. The historical drama generated slightly under ₹65 crores in its first week, which is a disappointing figure given its enormous size and stated budget of ₹200 crores. As the film's box office figures continue to drop, director Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi revealed in a new interview that Akshay had previously assured him that if the audience rejects the film, he would return to doing 'non-controversial' films like Rowdy Rathore (2012) and Housefull (2010).

In a recent interview, Dr. Chandraprakash addressed how the film's failure affects the filmmakers. He said, “If a film flops, the producers become disheartened. This is the first historical film Yash Raj Films made. If this becomes successful, they will make more. Otherwise, their organisation has been regularly making films. They will go back to doing what they were.”

He went on to say that Akshay had confided in him that if the audience rejects the film, he will return to his previous 'masala' films. The filmmaker added, “I remember Akshay told me personally and even in interviews that ‘I was making Rowdy Rathore and Housefull. These films pay me more. I made an attempt (with Samrat Prithviraj). If people reject this, then no worries, I will go back to Rowdy Rathore. People want to watch things that have no controversies. Then that is what I will do’.”

Samrat Prithviraj marks Kumar’s first historical drama. He plays the titular medieval ruler Prithviraj Chauhan in the film.