When you started your career 25 years ago, did you anticipate this kind of success?
Speaking of a blast from my past, I’m currently shooting in Thailand, where I studied martial arts on the streets of Bangkok. Recently, I took my son (Aarav) and niece to the kitchen I used to work, eat, sleep and train in when I was 17. Just seeing the tiny room where I used to rest my head after a gruelling day of street fighting for extra money brought back so many memories.
I had to fight back the tears in front of my son when I stood in the doorway of the kitchen I once slaved in, wondering how different my life is now. I’m proof that there is nothing more powerful than fate itself, even when the world assumes you’re just an insignificant boy wiping tables and cleaning dishes.
It took a while before the industry and the audiences started taking you seriously as a star...
It may have taken time for people to accept that I was more than just a struggling actor. I was an action hero in the making, a determined young man, with a black belt in karate that technically made the world my oyster. Nothing, not even people’s mighty opinions were going to stand in my way. I wasn’t stupid, I knew I was no Dilip Kumar. I was Akshay Kumar, born with nothing but good parents and God’s hand on my shoulder.
For a long period, you steered clear of big banners. You’ve worked with the maximum number of new directors and producers. Why?
It wasn’t deliberate, I had no choice. When the big banners weren’t interested, I had no other route than to make my own path and create films with people who wanted to make films, not necessarily huge successes. Then as years passed, I stood my ground with the people I consider big in my life and eventually, the big banners came my way. I didn’t refuse them. I wholeheartedly worked for them. But I know if I hadn’t done it my way, I would have hit the highway long ago.
While most actors are doing just one film at a time, you’ve started doing multiple films with at least three-four releases every year. Is that a conscious decision?
Absolutely. I am a man who wants to work as much as I can, who wants to employ as many hard working members of our industry as possible. The more I work, the more people earn from my movies. I don’t want to look back ever and say ‘I could have done more in my career.’ We only have so much time to accomplish our goals. I’m barely half-way through achieving mine.
Do you believe the audience doesn’t give comedy the kind of respect it deserves?
Believe me, the audience by far gives comedians the respect they deserve. It’s the industry and a few critics who don’t give comedy its fair share of limelight. Blockbusters across the country prove time and again how much comedy is loved above all other genres. There is no life without laughter. When judging panels realise that, I’m sure we’ll see a lot more legendary comedians sweeping awards.
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