I wouldn’t describe myself as a recluse: Akshaye Khanna

Akshaye Khanna has been time and again lauded for his performances in a variety of films that he has been a part of over the years. The actor, who is back on the big screen after an unintentional sabbatical, promises to get more active on the work front. Brimming with enthusiasm, he says, “I have been working all my life. It’s just that I was not able to work for a couple of years. I had to take a forced kind of break, not to be repeated ever again (laughs). That phase is over now, I’m back to work.” The actor, who has acted in the movie Mom, is now garnering appreciation for his part. Talking about what appealed to him about Mom, Akshaye says, “I came across a piece of writing that was special, and so was the role. You can come across a great piece of writing, but your role could be shi**y and you might not do it. But the kind of talented people that are associated with the movie... it’s not something one can easily refuse.” On asking about a movie — he has acted in — which is closest to his heart, the actor says, “A lot of them. I have done some good and some bad films, but that is part and parcel of an actor’s life. I can’t say I’ve enjoyed [playing] one [character] over the others. I enjoyed all my work. However, there are certain films that impact you deeply, and those films come rarely in an actor’s life. Mom is one of them.” And does he now have a strategy in place for his future films? “I don’t think an actor can have a strategy because I am not in control of the material that is offered to me. I am dependent on what is offered to me, and one can only choose the best from that,” says the Race (2008) actor, whose image otherwise is that of an introvert. Ask him if that’s a perceived image or is he really a recluse? “I think using the word recluse is extreme. Recluse is someone who doesn’t interact with the society. I wouldn’t describe myself as a recluse. But definitely I am not a very social person,” says Akshaye. About his life beyond films, the actor adds, “I actually don’t have much of a life beyond my work. I know a lot of people might find that foolish and that how can I be so narrowminded. But [this is what happens] when one starts work at a very early age, especially in an industry which is so public. I really have no need or urge to do anything else. I am happy doing what I am doing (acting).”

I don’t think an actor can have a strategy because I am not in control of the material that is offered to me AKSHAYE KHANNA, ACTOR