Why I’m finally talking about that moustache a personal note from Akshay Kumar
Honestly, when people say “breaking news” in India, they usually mean a political scandal or a sports shock. But for me, the ‘viral news’ that kept buzzing around my Instagram was the one about a fake moustache I wore in Samrat Prithviraj. It was four years ago, yet the comment section still lights up when someone tags the clip. So, during a casual catch‑up with Shubhankar Mishra, I finally decided to clear the air. You know how it is when you’re busy shooting a horror series like Bhooth Bangla and constantly hopping between sets, it’s easy for a small detail to become a huge talking point. I felt it was time to explain what went on behind the scenes.
We were sitting in a tiny café in Mumbai, sipping masala chai, when Shubhankar asked the question that had been looping in my mind for ages: ‘Why the weird moustache in Samrat Prithviraj?’ I could feel the whole café listening, because that’s how quickly a snippet turns into "trending news India" these days. I laughed a little and said, “Look, I’m juggling so many looks right now from the full‑beard I grew for a recent action flick to the clean‑shaven face I sport in Bhooth Bangla. The moustache? It wasn’t a personal choice, it was a necessity.”
The backdrop: Samrat Prithviraj and the moustache dilemma
For anyone who missed the film, Samrat Prithviraj was a large‑scale historical drama directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. It tried to capture the epic tale of the legendary warrior-prince Prithviraj Chauhan, and the cast included Manushi Chhillar, Sanjay Dutt, and Sonu Sood. The costume designers had a clear vision the protagonist needed a thick, curled moustache that was typical of a 12th‑century Rajput warrior. When I first read the script, I thought, “Okay, I can grow it,” but then reality hit. My facial hair pattern simply doesn’t produce that kind of thick curl. I tried to grow it for weeks, but it came out patchy and nowhere near the style required for the role.
In most cases, actors will either shave and wait or use prosthetic wigs for hair. For moustaches, the options are limited. I tried a natural growth method for six weeks, staying away from any shoots because you can’t really shoot a war scene with a half‑grown moustache. That meant I was out of the market for almost a month. It’s a risk especially when you have a slate of films lined up. I told Shubhankar, “I took around six weeks to grow a beard, and during those six weeks, I didn’t work. So it’s not that I was lazy or avoiding projects.” The decision to use a fake moustache was ultimately a pragmatic one, not an artistic statement.
When the movie released, a chunk of the audience on social media started pointing out how the moustache looked fake. Some even started memes comparing it to a “paper moustache”. It became one of those “viral news” moments where people can’t stop sharing screenshots. I felt a pang of guilt, because I always aim to deliver authenticity, even in a period piece where a lot is already artificial.
My apology a simple ‘sorry’ that meant a lot
During the chat with Shubhankar, I made it clear that I regretted the backlash. I said, “Maybe the fake moustache 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 moustache might not be possible for me. Sometimes you have to do it. And if people didn’t like it, then I am sorry.” That line felt like a small bridge between a busy actor’s schedule and the fans who noticed every pixel of my face. I think the sincerity of an apology often gets lost in the noise of “latest news India”, but for me it was genuine.
What surprised me was how many people responded positively after the apology. Some said they appreciated the honesty, others admitted they never realized how much work goes into a single look. It reminded me of a conversation I once had with a cab driver in Delhi he asked why we actors sometimes look “odd” on screen. I told him about the physical demands, the makeup crew, the last‑minute changes. He nodded, saying, “You all work hard, bhai.” That simple acceptance made the whole episode feel less like a scandal and more like a humbling reminder of the connective tissue between the industry and common folks.
When Mukesh Khanna weighed in the veteran’s critique
Just when I thought the conversation had settled, veteran actor Mukesh Khanna dropped a comment on a Zoom interview that added fuel to the fire. He said, “Like Prithviraj Chauhan should look like Prithviraj Chauhan when he stands, which Akshay Kumar did not look like in the film. They put on a wig and whatnot.” Those words went viral, and suddenly the entire debate resurfaced as “trending news India”. Many fans sided with Mukesh, feeling that I should have insisted on a more authentic look, while others defended the production team’s constraints.
To be fair, the film’s director Chandraprakash Dwivedi had a specific vision, and the production design team worked tirelessly to create a period‑accurate ambience. The moustache was just one piece of a bigger puzzle that included elaborate sets, authentic weaponry, and painstakingly researched dialogues. Still, in the eyes of a lot of viewers, that moustache became the symbol of everything that didn’t work. It was as if the audience chose one small detail to judge the whole movie, which is something that happens a lot in today’s fast‑moving social‑media age.
Box‑office performance and the larger picture
Samrat Prithviraj, despite its star‑studded cast, didn’t manage to win over the masses. The film’s box‑office collection was modest at best, and many critics labeled it a disappointment. While the moustache debate was certainly a loud part of the conversation, other factors also played a role the pacing, the script’s depth, and perhaps even the timing of the release. When you add “India updates” to the mix, you see that audiences today expect a seamless blend of historical authenticity and compelling storytelling. If one element feels off, the overall experience can suffer.
From my perspective, it was a learning curve. I realized that fans today follow every micro‑detail of a star’s look, be it the shade of a shirt or the style of a moustache. That’s the reality of the “latest news India” cycle nothing goes unnoticed. It also made me appreciate the hard work of makeup artists, stylists, and prosthetic experts who often work behind the curtains to bring a character to life.
What this episode says about the industry today
When I think about this whole episode, I see a larger pattern in Indian cinema. Actors are expected to juggle multiple looks for different films, while fans demand near‑perfect authenticity. The pressure to deliver both quickly and flawlessly has turned even a minor costume choice into a piece of “viral news”. The moustache controversy is a testament to how quickly a visual detail can become a national conversation, especially when it’s shared across WhatsApp groups, Instagram reels, and YouTube commentary channels.
It also shows the power of personal interaction. My chat with Shubhankar Mishra turned out to be a ‘breaking news’ moment for many of my followers because it was genuine and unscripted. In the age of scripted press releases, spontaneous conversations often become more engaging. That’s why I think we’ll see more of these candid interactions in the future they keep the audience hooked and give a human face to the glitzy world of Bollywood.
Lastly, I want to thank the fans who kept the dialogue alive. Even though the moustache was just a piece of facial hair, the discussion reminded me that every role I take is a shared experience between the cast, the crew, and the audience. The love I receive for Bhooth Bangla now feels even sweeter because it shows that people can move past one controversy and appreciate the work I do in other projects.
