Akshay Kumar's Big Interview

‘Godfathers should help you fly, not clip your wings’

Reveals Akshay Kumar, as he talks about his dream role as the don, Rajesh Khanna’s legacy, his baby daughter Nitara and the impact of power and money

Afsana Ahmed

Early on Thursday morning, the day Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara released, the film’s protagonist — the handsome Akshay Kumar — was on his way to the airport to catch a flight to Bangkok while, the charming Shah Rukh Khan was rolling all over successfully selling his film, Chennai Express, even after a week of its release.

While Once Upon… was very much in the news, Akshay, to a great extent, was missing from the aggressive promotions. Some say, the star had too many movies to look after. Others feel his absence was a strategic and conscious move — a promotional trick to keep things understated. Whatever the reasons, the verdict of the film is out now. And it was Akshay Kumar all the way — with his style, charm and star power at its best! Since then, his role as the bad boy with a good heart has been earning him appreciation from across.

Looking back, this star called Akshay Kumar has truly proven his versatility through various genres over the 22 years he has worked in the industry. Whether it is action, comedy, drama or adventure films — he has made his mark in every genre.

For whatever his movies are worth, he has been delivering hits after hits and enriching his producers. That is a fact. And another fact is also that just like his repertoire his audiences too have multiplied over the years. Then it comes as no surprise that his upcoming line-up is as impressive as it is. It includes Anthony D’Souza’s Boss, Farhad and Sajid’s It’s Entertainment, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gabbar, Karan Johar co-production Gutka, Vipul Shah’s Namastey London 2 and remakes of the south film Thuppaki and the 1982 hit, Shaukeen, to name a few.

In this candid chat, hours before he boarded the flight to Bangkok, Akshay talks about everything that has ever touched his life, his career and more importantly, his soul.  

BOX:

Have you been as tense as this before the release of any of your previous films?

Oh absolutely! The thing I’m looking for from this film is not what everyone assumes. I’m not sitting here praying for it to reach the R100 crore club and all that. I’m not worried about some historic opening. This film means more to me than numbers. This is about being appreciated, not as a hero, but as a villain; as a man that the country feared, a man who left women in tears and men quivering in their boots. Can I make my audience feel for the very man who would kill another without even blinking twice? These are the things I’m thinking about.

It’s not often that a commercial man gets to enter the underworld, so this time the audience’s reactions are going to touch me a lot more than the ticket collections. This isn’t your average entertainer — this is once upon a time of me being the bad man!

What’s your take on Bollywood camps and coteries? You don’t seem to belong anywhere. Or do you have your camp as well?

Camps are not necessary, they are just excuses to put up your tent in someone else’s backyard and feed off their vegetable patch. I’m living proof that if I can do it without them (camps), anyone can. And no one belongs to anyone; we are all here, we work in and for the same industry. Yes, godfathers are appreciated and I think everyone should have one, as long as they help you fly, rather than clip wings in a controlling manner. I may have found it incredibly tough, but I made it (in the industry) on my own terms, and that is something no one can take away (from me).

We heard your little daughter, Nitara, will be called Nitara Khanna unlike your son who has been named Aarav Bhatia? Why is that so?

You see, both my children were born within months of the huge loss of first, my father, and then Tina’s. So when Aarav was born, we named him after my father, Hari Om Bhatia. And now we’ve named little Nitara after Tina’s (Twinkle Khanna) father, Rajesh Khanna. It’s just something we decided on. We feel while they are brother and sister, they both also have their own genetic identities.

BOX:

How do you, as a son-in-law, intend to carry forward the rich legacy of Rajesh Khanna?

I honestly don’t know. In fact, I’m not even sure that’s possible. What my father-in-law was and still is will never be matched; it will never be repeated, and that is what is so incredible about him. He was the first and the only one true superstar. What my son and daughter do about their nana’s (maternal grandfather) legacy will also be purely on their own terms. No one feels the need to stand in his shoes, we’re still standing back in awe of his life, nothing needs to be replaced, and nothing needs to be filled; only his memory is to live on.

After his death, do you feel more responsible towards Twinkle’s family, including your mother-in-law, Dimple?

I took up my responsibilities the day I married Tina. Her family became my own the minute she said yes to my proposal. Dimpleji is my second mother and will always be treated like my mother; they are the most amazing family. I’m honoured to have the responsibility to take care of everyone; that is what I’m here for. If no one needed me, then what the hell am I working so hard for?

  

PG 2

The only time I’ve ever been confident in life was when I was a street fighter in Bangkok.

What’s playing on your mind now AK?

Right this minute, I’m thinking if there is anything more that I can do for my film and for the people (producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria) who’ve given me the opportunity to play one of my most favorite characters of all time Don Shoaib Khan! I’m touring India and promoting my film and I’m giving every minute I can, but deep down you always wish you could have given more. After months and months of shooting these few weeks of promotions are not enough to tell the Nation that, “Love is the most powerful drug in the World, that even the most powerful of men commit the worst crimes just to get their hands on it”.  This film holds a power I’ve never had the pleasure of performing before, So today I would do anything for Milan and Ekta for the role they have entrusted me wit. No matter what the outcome is this has been an incredible experience! Now I feel it’s time to hand it over to the God.

Are you confident or super confident of the film?

The only time I’ve ever been confident in life was when I was a street fighter in Bangkok. Because if I didn’t have confidence to win then, I’d be dead meat on the street within minutes. When it comes to my real work, I have no confidence, I have no opinions, I have no problems, and I just give my best. It doesn’t matter how much I love the film or how brilliant I think it is, it’s out of my hands now!

You have everything you had once wished upon. What makes you the most happy?

 What makes me genuinely happy is being able to give my family the life I once could only  ‘dream’. My life and my status in Bollywood today are still new for me. I have been a determined struggler for many more years than I’ve been rich or famous. It’s every little boys dream to take care of your mother, provide for your wife, and pamper your children by not worrying about anything. Happy isn’t the word. Blessed is more like it.

What does power, fame and money mean to you today? BOX

It means an awful lot of responsibility! Power is dangerous to possess. I personally have always experienced a man or woman that rose from the depths of despair, handle power with much more grace than a man born with power at his feet. Fame on the other hand can ruin the most humblest of people. I’ve watched too many famous people all the world suffers under the very spotlight that put them there. As for money, everyone knows how to look after their money but it’s what they choose to do with it that makes the difference! So basically, power fame and money can kill you just as easily by having it, as it could by never having it in the first place!

Has there been any point in life when you felt powerless? When and why?

All the time! I’m powerless right now, my fame, money, power means only so much right now, and my life is in the hands of the audience’s mood as we speak. My film’s success rides purely on how the people are feeling this week, are they in the mood for a romantic gangster based drama filled with intense raw action, who knows.  I’d call that pretty powerless!

What is the most important thing in your life today? BOX

By far my family! Without hesitation, I love my work, but I live for my family. If I fail tomorrow, they will love me, feed me and support me till I land on my feet again, no amount of hard work or films will ever change what’s most important, no amount of money or success will ever change my answer, my children are the only reason I fight so hard, before they came along I worked to survive, now I work for their pride.

 Work-wise, you have proved to be the most prolific actor (star) amongst your contemporaries. Why the rush? Is it some kind of strategy?

You mean why the rush to make so many films?  Basically if I die tomorrow, I don’t want to go knowing I didn’t accomplish enough, or that I was waiting for my next project to start, if only I had more time! No. I want t to go knowing that I didn’t waste a second sitting idle, that I made the most of my incredible opportunity. That so many people earned money from the amount of films I made. You see, when I sign a project I just check the credits and the amount of people that become employed per film. I sleep well at night knowing the more projects I take on the more bread and butter I am providing that night. Now that’s enough to make any man want to get up and make more films.

You’re venturing into regional cinema (an effort hardly seen in any of the big stars) Punjabi, Marathi, and now Bengali. Is it money or love for cinema which is driving to this?

Purely love for cinema. It’s like my own private cinematic charity. I love to give films, people, professionals, newcomers, artists, scripts, camera men, crews and directors opportunities that could be easily missed by others. There is so much talent out there so much hiding in the woodwork, it’s a gift I am able to provide so many dreams for so many quietly incredible projects. There’s benefit for everyone, my production house is kept busy, ideas are being made into reality, dreams are coming true, work is being accomplished, I couldn’t ask for more. As long as everyone stays loyal to their work I’m pretty much the happiest guy going right now.

 You’re somebody who loves sports in its entire splendor; do you have any plans to buy a sports team (hockey, cricket or football)? Box

Loving Sports doesn’t mean you have to go buy a team, I love helicopters but I haven’t bought one (yet). I’d rather play the sport I love, rather than owning a part of it. I’d rather support, promote and encourage a sport, than sitting their wearing a t-shirt proving I have the money to buy a team but not the stamina to play in it! Maybe one day when I’m old and grey and can't play anymore I’ll venture down that path, but as of now, I’d rather get my fingers dirty on the field, than use them to empty my pockets off the field.

Which person from history you feel you are closest to? BOX

Looks wise it would have to be ‘Tarzan’. Personality wise it would have to be ‘Charlie Chaplin’. Talent wise it’s ‘Bruce Lee.  Friendship wise it would have to be India’s first Superstar ‘Rajesh Khanna’. He is my buddy, my history and his beloved family is my future!