‘KEEPING FINGERS VERY TIGHTLY CROSSED THAT THE WORST IS OVER’
As Akshay Kumar awaits theatrical release of five of his films, he hopes the audience will help the industry revive
It was raining release date announcements in Bollywood over the weekend, after cinemas were given a go-ahead to reopen in Maharashtra. But, for Akshay Kumar alone, there was this special line-up queued up. The actor announced release dates for not one or two, but five of his films — Sooryavanshi, Prithviraj, Bachchan Pandey, Rakshabandhan and Ram Setu — that are all set to finally hit the big screens over the next one year. There’s also Oh My God 2 and Atrangi Re, both of which are likely to release next year. In an exclusive chat, Kumar talks about keeping up his pace of four films a year, ensuring all releases are spaced out, and how the entire film industry is finally hoping for good times ahead.
So, how is it like to have the much-awaited backlog finally ready to release?
It’s a good feeling, having four-five releases a year, again. The life, as we all knew and have lived, is back now; things are getting back to normal, and I hope it stays that way (fingers so tightly crossed that they hurt). Since the past year-and-a-half, we’ve been waiting behind the scenes with bated breath for the right time to showcase and unleash the entertainment to the audiences.
Do you feel it’s going to be an ‘Akshay Kumar overdose’ at the box office? Does such a thing worry you or excite you as an actor?
If you’ve seen the release dates, they’re all spaced out, like how my films used to be before the pandemic... a film comes out after a span of three to four months, and that’s how it is even now. As for it being an overdose, I don’t think so. Since all the films belong to completely different genres, there’s something for everyone. As an actor, finally my films are going to be enjoyed again on the big screen, like how they’re meant to be. This is the most excited I’ve been in a long time.
With so many pending films releasing, actors and filmmakers must be hoping that they will finally bring people back to the theatres. Do you agree it’s time for the audience to leave the fear behind and experience the bigscreen magic?
Absolutely, and I think people have already started doing that, because till when can you stay cooped up at home, with life being at a standstill? Offices have started, people are working out... going to the gym, parks etc., eating out at restaurants, visiting malls if they are fully vaccinated, travelling and going on vacations. So why single out going to the movies? Films have been around to entertain you since decades, and now they need your support to revive and survive. And I’m sure together, we will manage to do so in no time. Though I’d still urge the audience to follow all the safety protocols that have been listed out by the authorities.
Even before the second wave hit earlier this year, many films had announced their theatrical release, including Sooryavanshi, but again, the shutdown of theatres
changed everything. With the fear of a third wave looming, is there a back-up plan this time? Has the industry thought through it?
If I could say anything on behalf of the Hindi film industry, it is just that we are being hopeful, like we were before the second wave, and keeping our fingers very tightly crossed that the worst is over. We are just going with the flow. It has been a tough year-and-a-half for the entire film industry, with everyone bleeding money, but things are finally looking up with the reopening of cinemas in Maharashtra (from October 22). And, I hope audiences have missed watching us as much as we have missed them. I’m truly looking forward to a great year at the movies.