MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar credits the film industry for all the name, fame, accolades, adulation, lifestyle and luxury that he has garnered in over two decades, saying “filmdom means a lot” to him.
Ever since he started with Saugandh in 1991, he has never looked back and the career graph of the 45-year-old has always spiraled up.
“This is my bread and butter. This is where I started… I am very thankful to the industry. It means a lot to me. In fact, it means everything to me,” Akshay told IANS.
Tagged as “one of the most profitable actors”, he delivered mega hits Housefull 2 and Rowdy Rathore last year, with both the films entering the INR1 billion club. When asked about the new title he’s been given, he exclaimed, “Who wouldn’t want to be an actor who gives profits to all his producers and exhibitors?” In the same breath, he added: “I feel honoured with this compliment. Thank you very much for it.”
There is a lot of talk about the quality of content in films, but box office numbers are important for survival, he said. “It is important for you to survive. It is important for the distributors and exhibitors to be happy,” he explained. “At the end of the day, these are the people who matter to you. The box office does matter, no matter what everyone says.”
As a beginner, he earned the tag of an action star after the hit Khiladi series including Khiladi and Main Khiladi Tu Anari. Subsequently, he moved to drama and comedy with Waqt — Race Against Time and Hera Pheri.
With Khiladi 786 and Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobara, he is back to the action genre. “I enjoy action with comedy,” he asked.
“But this film [Once Upon...] is about romance and action. It is a deadly combination. I have enjoyed working in it. It is a different kind of genre. I am looking forward to the release,” he said.
Milan Luthria-directed underworld drama Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara, will release on August 15 to take advantage of the Independence Day holiday. It also stars Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha.
When asked about the box office prospects of the film, he said: “I have worked hard in the film. I don’t know whether I will achieve it or not, but I am very confident that people will like it and that is more important. I have been very honest with my work.”
He attended the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match in London on Saturday to promote his film also. “I don’t know if it will help or not. It surely helped me have fun and that is what I went for,” he said.
Hectic shooting schedules and endorsements keep Akshay, who is married to actor Twinkle Khanna, on his toes. Therefore, he keeps his free time for his children, Aarav and Nitara. “I play with my children in my free time,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2013.
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