It was an honour to be named the sexiest man alive but…—Indian actor Akshay Kumar
Bollywood star actor and producer Akshay Kumar rose from a humble beginning on the streets of Chandni Chowk, to being admired by many fans worldwide.In this interview with Online Editor, LEKAN OTUFODUNRIN and MERCY MICHAEL, the actor opened up on Bollywood @100 and the future of Indian films. He also talked about relationship with his female fans among other things:
YOU have been variously described as the
undisputed king of Indian cinema, one of the world’s most famous Indian
film stars and the global ambassador for Indian cinema, how would you
describe yourself?
I have been so lucky for my career to
have been so successful and I am very thankful and grateful to all my
loyal fans and the great directors, producers, film crews and actors who
have helped me give my best performances. Although I may not have come
from a ‘traditional’ background in regards to what makes a successful
Bollywood star I believe the support around me and the love of my family
(whether or not they have been in the industry) has really been at the
roots of my success. Every movie has been momentous and life changing
for me because I have learnt, whether to play a different type of role
or from the character I’m playing.
As someone who stumbled into acting, what has been your general experience as a film actor and producer?
My journey has been incredible – a guy
from the streets of Chandni Chowk, to being admired by my adoring fans
the world over, and making my mother, father, wife and children proud of
what I have achieved (and yet to) I am truly blessed. I think the key
to success for any actor is determination and ambition. Being a producer
is a tough job but an extremely satisfying one. As an actor you only
have to focus on your character and playing it convincingly. You do what
your director wants you to do to the best of your ability, but as a
producer it’s the whole film that you have to look after and it’s a big
responsibility. As with any industry there will be a number of ups and
downs to overcome, therefore it is so important to stay positive at all
times. There were times when things were bad, even ugly, but I loved
what I did too much to bow down to the pressure.
What are the gains and pains of being a superstar?
I love my profession and working in this
industry. I owe my life to it on so many levels. As far as the
competition goes, rather than cut throat, I see it as healthy
competition which keeps you on your toes – it keeps things fresh and
ever evolving. One cannot afford to become complacent in this, or indeed
in any other industry. As long as my fans will have me, I am happily
here to stay
In 2008 you were named the Sexiest Man
alive by People Magazine. How were you able to cope with your numerous
female fans then and now?
Numerous female fans? Lol. If a person
lets such an honour go to his head, then he will become arrogant. I am
so flattered and humbled to have received this notable honour, but I
also try and stay grounded and not let it affect me. My main purpose is
to make good movies that I’m proud of and happy with at the end of the
day, and most importantly, that my fans will like my work.
Compared with other films, what would you say is unique about Indian films?
The Indian Film Industry started out in
1916 and has grown into a multimillion dollar industry. We are a very
cultured country so obviously we portray a lot of dance from many cities
as well as the multiple cultures and religions we have. We are very
full on. Any excuse for a song and a dance number. As the years go by we
are making many urban modern day movies but they will always have a
touch of Masala. Indian films will always be Indian. It is a genre
within itself albeit adaptable to new audiences and wider changes in the
world of cinema, but without losing its core essence. The Indian film
industry is booming. It has enjoyed a lot of success over the past 100
years as it celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2013. Indian films
have a mass, global appeal as they feature drama, comedy, music, dance
and romance all in one! Indian films entertain, inspire and engage the
audiences across the world.
What do you think is the future of Indian films?
We have an amazing new generation
emerging in the industry, be it filmmakers, artists, scriptwriters, etc.
They bring such a fresh and innovative perspective to the industry. I
wouldn’t want to single out any particular individuals as there are
many, hugely valued new members of our fraternity. It’s incredibly
refreshing to work with such enthusiastic newcomers who just wanna
change the way of everything positively
You have been involved with helping to
bridge the gap between Indian cinema and Hollywood. How successful have
you been in this attempt?
I think that as the world becomes
increasingly connected, it is inevitable that the respective industries
will continue to converge and collaborate. Slumdog Millionaire was a
good example of that integration and highlighted the need and benefits
for the two to merge. Hollywood and Bollywood differ hugely in terms of
production, content and aesthetics but it is an exciting prospect to
think of the potential that we can forge together, moving forward to
create an entirely new genre of ‘world’ cinema. Through my own film
projects, I was lucky enough to work with international stars such as
Kylie, Snoop Dogg and Sylvester Stallone. Each was a wonderful
experience in its own right, and so much that we shared and learned from
each other in terms of our respective experiences in the entertainment
industry.
What film are you working on now?
I have Boss this year which is directed
by Tony D’Souza and also the sequel of Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. I am
also filming for some very exciting new projects. I also have some very
interesting regional projects through my company Grazing Goat Pictures
such as the Punjabi film Ba Ji in Problem and the Marathi film 72 Miles.
We also just announced another Marathi film Adhantari which will be
shot extensively in London and stars Tanisha Mukherjee.
Do you still have any dream role or stunts you would want to play in films?
Now that’s a tough one for sure, let’s just say that there are many and more to come.
