'Can't Beat Sharad Kelkar', Fans Diss Akshay Kumar's First Look As Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Hailed as one of the most bankable actors of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar hasn't given a hit in the recent past. From Raksha Bandhan, Cuttputlli, Bachchan Paandey to Samrat Prithviraj and Ram Setu, 2022 wasn't a good year for the man.?

Yesterday, he unveiled the first look as?Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from his forthcoming Marathi movie Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat, and he was criticised left, right and center.?

Fans diss Akshay Kumar's first look as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

First, people pointed out a possible goof-up in the teaser. A Twitter user pointed out, "Shivaji Maharaj ruled from 1674 to 1680. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1880. This is Akshay Kumar playing Shivaji. #AkshayKumar #ShivajiMaharaj." A lot of people agreed with the tweet. However, this wasn't it.?

Akshay Kumar VS Sharad Kelkar - who played Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj better?

People weren't happy with Akshay Kumar's casting and pointed out how other actors, especially Sharad Kelkar, who has essayed the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Ajay Devgn starrer?Tanhaji, were so much better in the role. They dissed his mannerism and persona, and called it a cheap copy.

"Copy means something which looks similar. Ye to tatti hai," a user wrote. Here's what others are saying!

Also Read:?Gym Trainer To Impeccable Actor, Sharad Kelkar Is Proving His Acting Mettle, One Role At A Time

Playing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a big responsibility, said Sharad Kelkar.

Talking about playing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sharad Kelkar had told IANS, "Honestly, when Om called me and said I want you to play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it came as a shocker to me. That time I felt a lot of pressure because Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is worshipped as God by Maharashtrians. Playing a character like this comes with a lot of responsibility and you can't really go wrong with any of the factors around him -- his look, his way of walking, his lines, his attitude. All these came to my mind in a span of 30 second".?

Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat also stars Jay Dudhane, Utkarsha Shinde, Vishal Nikam, Virat Madke, Hardik Joshi, Satya, Akshay, Nawab Khan, and Praveen Tarde. The film is slated to be released next year on Diwali.

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