COMEDY IS IN MY BLOOD: ASKHAY KUMAR

The actor who has done films of different genres says it’s comedy that is most difficult to pull off, because if you can’t make people laugh it can spell a tragic end to an actor’s career

Actor Akshay Kumar is among the few Bollywood actors, who has tried his hand at almost all possible genres of films. From romance to action to thriller and comedy, he’s been there and done that. Ask which genre he finds the hardest to perform, and pat comes the reply — comedy. “You can impress someone with stunts, effects and a hot body and you can make them cry just by crying yourself, but to make someone laugh out loud in a theatre full of strangers with your comedy timing, your one liners and your facial expressions, your slapstick energy, is not only extremely difficult and it’s also painfully embarrassing if you fail,” says Akshay. The reason Akshay respects the comedy genre the most is because “it has the biggest effect if you succeed, but it has the most tragic career changing consequences if you don’t make anyone laugh.” As for other genres, Akshay feels that they all have a certain type of fan following. “One always knows when making an action movie that it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you can’t make everyone laugh, that’s it, you’re doomed, banished to the serious couch and never to be invited to the party again,” he laughs. Presently shooting for his next film, Gold, in Amritsar, the actor also visited Golden Temple and called the experience ‘surreal’. He says, “I couldn’t help myself, it was 3am, I had been shooting nights and I wanted to just quietly go and gaze at the temple, thank the Gods for all they have given me.” Of late, Akshay has mostly been doing intense roles in films such as Airlift, Baby, Holiday, Rustom and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, all with a strong message. Prod him if audience will ever see him doing an out-and-out comedy anytime soon, the actor quips, “My audience will never have to fear about me not doing an out-and-out comedy, it’s in my blood. I’ll never be able to stay away from my comfort zone or my buddies for too long!!” Talking of whether comedians get their due in films and on TV, Akshay was recently quoted as saying that TV actors should be paid more than film actors. However, Akshay says he ‘never’ said such a thing. He clarifies, “But they sure as hell should get paid an actor’s wage — big screen or little screen — it doesn’t matter.” The actor adds, “[Also] comedians have pressure that no other actor will ever understand unless forced to be funny, and only then can an actor prove their true versatility. So, I don’t believe comedians in India are given their dues — be it money, status or recognition.”

PHOTO: PRAMOD THAKUR/HT