EXCLUSIVE: “I’m the 22nd newcomer that Akshay Kumar has worked with” – says Samrat Prithviraj debute Manushi Chhillar

By Monica Yadav -

June 11, 2022 - 4:22 PM IST

Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar has made her long-awaited debut in Yash Raj Films' Samrat Prithviraj. Starring opposite Akshay Kumar, the film is based on the life and valour of the fearless and mighty King Prithviraj Chauhan. Akshay is essaying the role of the legendary warrior who fought valiantly to protect India from the merciless invader Muhammad of Ghor. Manushi Chhillar played the role of Prithviraj’s beloved Princess Sanyogita. Interestingly, she happens to be 22nd newcomer Akshay Kumar has worked with in the industry. In a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, the actress spoke about her journey, what it means to be launched under a big banner, working with Akshay Kumar and more.

EXCLUSIVE: “I’m the 22nd newcomer that Akshay Kumar has worked with” – says Samrat Prithviraj debute Manushi Chhillar

When asked whether it ever got overwhelming working with Akshay Kumar, she said, "I don't think it ever got overwhelming, per se. But yes, when you're working with a production house, such as Yash Raj, and then you're working with an actor, a superstar, who's probably the biggest superstar right now Akshay sir, and director like Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, they're all very strong pillars. And you don't want to be that one week below the film, because it's your first film, and you're not as experienced as they are. But I like challenges in life. I've always loved the challenge. I still remember the first time I ever competed at a big competition was at Miss India. I went on stage and I still remember that in my head, it was not about what have to win, it was more like a challenge that this is something new; this is something I've never done. I enjoy that process a lot more."

Furthermore, she continued, "Having their kind of experience, having their wisdom really has helped me because I got you get to learn a lot. Whatever Akshay sir actual might say, but to observe him on set, to observe him work, you get to know that why he is who he is. Same thing with Dr. Saab [Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi], the way also Yash Raj Films' works. For me, I couldn't have asked for a better launch because somewhere I knew that they were so experienced. So I think I'm the 22nd newcomer that Akshay sir has worked with. He told me that 'I've worked with the most number of newcomers in the industry.' So I think he kind of understood the kind of challenges and how nervous I must be. I mean, of course there's some level of you know, there is you are nervous because it's the first time you're you're shooting for a film. So he understood my challenges in some way. Somewhere, he also had a role to play in making sure that I'm not getting too overwhelmed or I'm not too confused and I'm able to understand everything so that all you know all those things really help."

Meanwhile, Manushi Chhillar has already signed another project with Yash Raj Films which stars Vicky Kaushal opposite her.