Akshay Kumar is all set to play Prithviraj Chauhan on screen. The 52-year old announced the news on his birthday on Monday.

The National Award-winning actor took to social media to state, “Elated to share about my 1st historical film on my birthday!Humbled to have the opportunity to play a hero I look up to for his valor & values- Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan in one of my biggest films #Prithviraj. Producer @yrf,director #DrChandraprakashDwivedi, releasing Diwali 2020.(sic)”

He also shared a short teaser clip which has a mantra playing in the background as the graphics show a sword in lighted embers and a silhouette of Prithviraj Chauhan with the announcement.

Akshay shared his thoughts on the upcoming project. “It is truly an honour that I will be playing the role of one of the most fearless and courageous kings of India, Prithviraj Chauhan. As a nation, we should always celebrate our heroes and immortalize what they did to propagate the values that Indians lived by,” He told news agency IANS.

“‘Prithviraj’ is our attempt to bring to light his valour and daredevilry. Prithviraj was the only person standing in front of a merciless nemesis and the bravery he showed, made him a true Indian hero, an inspiration for generations and a legend. So this announcement coming on my birthday has indeed made it more special for me,” he added.

Prithviraj is being produced by Yash Raj Films. The movie is being directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, of Pinjar, Mohalla Assi and television show Chanakya fame. It will release worldwide on Diwali 2020.

History and folk legends portray Prithviraj Chauhan as a brave Indian king, from the Chahamana(Chauhan) dynasty, who faced  invasions led by Muhammad Ghori, a ruler of the Ghurid dynasty.

Akshay also has 4 films lined up for release in the course of this year and the next. Good News and Housefull 4 are slated to release later this year while Sooryavanshi and Laxmmi Bomb will release in 2020.

Elated to share about my 1st historical film on my birthday!Humbled to have the opportunity to play a hero I look up to for his valor & values- Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan in one of my biggest films #Prithviraj.
Producer @yrf,director #DrChandraprakashDwivedi, releasing Diwali 2020 pic.twitter.com/Q2nD5KE3KR

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 9, 2019