Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - City
AT LEAST I AM NOT A BORING ACTOR: AKKI
Akshay Kumar says he may not be the biggest actor in the industry but he is happy being the most versatile
Actor Akshay Kumar is perhaps the most successful and the busiest actor in the industry today. Besides delivering at least three hits every year, sometimes even five, he ensures he delivers variety. “I am more than just a two-sided coin. I am not just about serious or funny parts. I like taking up a variety of roles and characters, I’ll do everything and anything,” says the actor, who is known to pull off action with as much ease as comedy. “I may not be the biggest actor, but I am happy to be the most versatile. At least, I will not be accused of being boring. I shift genres, I change characters. I did Airlift, now Housefull 3, and next is Rustom,” adds the Padma Shri awardee, who is enjoying the success of his latest film Housefull 3, despite some critics not raving about it.
“I think the so-called critics should also refresh their perspective and re-look at slapstick as a genre,” he says adding that the purpose of the film is to make everyone laugh. “Some even wrote that I may lose respect if I do slapstick… but I don’t mind losing respect if it helps me gain love or make people happy,” says the actor who lives with a sense of gratitude, that helps him stay grounded despite being on the top of his game. “Stardom hasn’t changed a thing. When I achieve success, I see my children, my wife and my mother happy, and instinctively, I am filled with gratitude. I thank God and my mother for everything. I’m a product of my parents’ humility ... I am so scared that one day it will just go away. Before going to bed I ask myself how would I feel if I lost everything tomorrow. That makes me feel sad. Thinking about failure makes me want to wake up and take care of everything I have got – my family, my mother. Being grateful is the key to happiness, if you aren’t thankful to yourself, family, fans, God and parents then you don’t deserve to live.”