Why Bollywood's Asli Khiladi, Akshay Kumar Had To Give Up On Affairs And More

He’s batted a long innings and is still going strong at the pitch. Today his tilt is towards content-driven films although I suspect that once a year at least, he’d want to do a lowbrow entertainer, a crowd-pleaser a la the Housefull franchise. After all, that’s essential to connect with the masses, at the same time assuaging the more picky audience with story-fuelled films such as Airlift and Rustom, both incidentally adapted from true-life events.

I’d also like to think that wife Twinkle Khanna has been an inspiring force to motivate Akshay Kumar towards quality-oriented cinema. She won’t like hearing this (if she reads it, that is…can’t be presumptuous) but there I’ve said it.

As a subject of interviews, AK can be guarded and ewww-so-politically correct. Although he would bristle at my criticism of some of his early performances, he’d still be game for a q-and-a and I must have done scores of those.

I haven’t quizzed him for years now. No need actually. I have stored so many of my conversations with him, and for a whiff of nostalgia here’s my personal favourite, some seven years ago. Here then are selected excerpts from Khanna-speak, which went under the heading of, ‘If any woman makes a pass at me, I love it’.

If you’re still with me, do read on:

On competition from his star colleagues
I am not concerned about the competition…whatever the media might try to convey. It’s not a war out here. You know we make the highest number of films in the world, there are enough opportunities for every actor to show his skills…or `non-skills.’ I’m surprised that you’re asking me such a question…it’s more than obvious that every actor has his place, and with sustained work I have got mine.

On younger actors
Hrithik Roshan is very good, his performance especially in Dhoom 2, was tremendous.


Image Source: twitter/iampoojabatra & Manav Manglani

On Rajkumar Santoshi once offering him the role of Lord Hanuman 
Yes that’s true. I refused the part. If it had been the central role of Lord Rama, I would have surely considered it.

On tension between Salman Khan and him over Katrina Kaif
These sort of rumours have been spread ever since the days Salman and I worked together in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.  Sorry but there’s no problem between us. Let’s get clear on this point. When any hero does two or three films with any heroine, rumours are a must.

On whether he would treat Katrina Kaif like his bhabhi
Bhabhi is too great a word. I’m relieved that you didn’t call her my sister.

On improvising a cheeky line of dialogue in a film that he edits other actors’ roles
That wasn’t my line. You are referring to Bhaagam Bhaag obviously. Neeraj Vora wrote it as a joke because I’m always accused of cutting other actors’ role. I went along with it for a laugh.


Image Source: pikkit

On an actor cutting his role
Yes this did happen. A long time ago.

On whether it was Suniel Shetty
Ha, ha, ha.

On what his wife, Twinkle Khanna, has to say about his movies
Let me put it this way, she doesn’t say much.


Image Source: twitter/akshaykumar

On which films has Twinkle liked him in
Hera Pheri..part I and Namaste London.. We don’t go into analysis about my work. I’m easygoing, theek hai if she liked my film, fine. If she didn’t, that’s okay too.

On whether his mother-in-law, Dimple Kapadia, has ever given him tips on acting
Never. We never talk shop. And to think she’s such a superb artiste…her performance in Rudaali was outstanding.

On his famous love life
What? Where’s the time? I go from one studio to another, one location to another, that’s it. Sure, I’m attracted to women. If anyone makes a pass at me, I love it. But there’s no follow-up action.


Image Source: hdsar

On whether he is afraid of his wife Twinkle
Listen, are you trying to be a home breaker? Yes, I’m scared of Tina? Happy?

On all the beautiful women from his past – from Pooja Batra and Raveena Tandon to Shilpa Shetty
If I ever come across them, I say, “hello” and that’s it. The past is the past. Everyone has a past, don’t you?

On whether he ever wanted to settle in Canada
That may have been a passing thought…when I was feeling low…but today, I’ve understood that there’s no place like home. We should stop treating ghar ki murgi daal baraabar.


 Image Source: twitter/iampoojabatra & Manav Manglani


Thumbnail Image Source: nuooz