YEARS OF AKSHAY KUMAR

COULDN’T SEE ANYONE ELSE AS SOCIAL ACTIVIST ARUNACHALAM MURUGANANTHAM

“It was a wonderful experience to work with him in Chandni Chowk to China (2009). He’s one of the fittest actors and has the energy to be termed an action star. In the 90s when Akshay had come, no one in Bollywood looked like he did. That space of an action star was vacant; he totally owned it. Even today, I think he remains one of the top draws when it comes to action,” says filmmaker Nikhil Advani, who has also produced Airlift (2016) and the upcoming Bell Bottom. {Khiladi franchise, Mohra (1994), Sapoot (1996), Sooryavanshi (upcoming)}

DREAM TO DIRECT HIM IN ACTION FILMS KNEW HE’D DO GREAT AS A ROMANTIC HERO

Filmmaker Vipul Shah says, “When I cast Akshay for Namastey London (2007), people said to me, ‘He’s never done a successful love story, why would you do this with him?’ I just had the faith in him. I went with my gut feeling, which was that here is an actor who is completely honest about his work, and whatever people talk about image and all, that is incorrect. I believed that Akshay was the best choice for the film and that worked. He delivered.” CASTING THE ACTION HERO IN A COMEDY

{Dhadkan (2000), Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002), Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)}

ONLY ACTOR OPEN TO BRINGING UP SOCIAL ISSUES

“Everyone talks of Akshay sir’s professionalism and punctuality, but what moved me the most was his humility in submitting to the role. He’s the only actor who I felt was open to bringing social issues to the forefront, but in an entertaining way,” says Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) director Shree Narayan Singh {OMG! Oh My God (2012)} “Of course Akshay is a big star, but more importantly, I can’t see anyone else playing Muruganantham. I looked at him and said nobody else can play it... It was an absolute dream working with Akshay. I can’t see anyone else doing a 13-page dialogue in one take. It was mind-blowing,” says Pad Man director R Balki. Filmmaker Priyadarshan, with whom Akshay’s had an impeccable track record, says, “He’s available for anything, he’s always willing to learn. In the South, it’s Mohanlal and in the North, it’s Akshay - these are two people I’ve not made flops with. Maybe, it’s destiny.“ {Hera Pheri (2000), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Housefull franchise}

PLAYING INTENSE ROLES WITH EASE

Director Tanuja Chandra says, “Akshay was considered an action star when I cast him for Sangharsh, much to the surprise of people... He was a very keen listener and rehearsed tirelessly. It was fulfilling for me to watch him evolve through the making of the film and deliver a touching performance.” {Sangharsh (1999), Joker (2012), 2.0 (2018)}

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

{Airlift (2016), Pad Man (2018)}