Mumbai:
This year, you complete 20 years in Bollywood. It's been a long journey from Saugandh (1991) to Desi Boyz (2011). I believe it will continue for years. When I look back at those golden years, I feel it was easier to bag films initially. It's tougher to maintain a position in the industry. In comparison, it is easy to make films but publicising and releasing films is very difficult.
ques: After two decades of stardom, do you feel you are still a desi boy? Or do you feel your roots have grown distant?
Akshay: I am still completely the desi boy all my friends knew at school; I just have cooler sunglasses now, that's all (laughs). I carry my roots everywhere I go; my mother wouldn't have had it any other way. And I couldn't live with myself if my oldest friend told me, "Rajiv (Akshay), you've changed, man!"
ques: You are paired with Chitrangda in Desi Boyz. Will this art-commerce blend be palatable?
Akshay: Art and commerce have blended well. Whenever I see Chitrangda, I am reminded of Smita Patil, whose films I loved watching when I was young. Chitrangda is beautiful, and a great actress. Now, she has made a connect with commercial cinema, and will go a long way.
ques: For five years after Garam Masala, John Abraham and you steered clear of each other. Suddenly you are doing two films (Desi Boyz and Housefull 2) together. What gives?
Akshay: When we worked together in Garam Masala, I was not as friendly with John as I am now. Today, we chat and work together. We didn't take up films together simply because we didn't get a great script which would work for us.
ques: Has John changed?
Akshay: The John I saw in Garam Masala, and the John I see now are very different. Not only has his physique improved but his comic timing has bettered with time.
ques: You are the rare star who has five releases every year. How many days do you shoot in a month?
Akshay: I do not work much but my films get finished in time because I report to set on time and leave at the designated hour. On Saturdays, I work from 7 am to 2 pm, after which I spend time the way I want to. I always take an off on Sunday. Every year in June, I take a family vacation because that's when my son has holidays.
ques: The Sanjay Bhansali-produced Rowdy Rathore's poster seems to point to your return to action.
Akshay: The Faulad ki aulad poster has created a lot of curiosity. Such posters were seen back in the 1970s. This film demands a poster like it, and dialogues like khoon bhari maang and faulad ki aulad. In my free time, I practice martial arts but it took a vanvaas from action on screen. Now, I am eager to do such films. Rowdy Rathore, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2 and Khiladi 786, are all packed with action.
ques: Why did you choose to act in Himesh Reshammiya's Khiladi 786, considering his films have not done well?
Akshay: I do not go by box office success reports. The script of Khiladi 786 offers an actor a lot of scope.
ques: Isn't Himesh your co-star in the film too?
Akshay: He has a small role; I play the title role.
ques: So, it's action films and comedies coming up. When do we see you in a grand romance?
Akshay: Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2 is a very romantic and passionate film although action forms a backdrop.
ques: How integral is your personal life to your success?
Akshay: Tina (Twinkle) is my greatest success! You can take away my films, my awards, my career, and I would survive, but I couldn't live a day without my wife and son. Tina has made me a home; one I can run to any minute. I want to share the rest of my life with her.
ques: After two decades of stardom, do you feel you are still a desi boy? Or do you feel your roots have grown distant?
Akshay: I am still completely the desi boy all my friends knew at school; I just have cooler sunglasses now, that's all (laughs). I carry my roots everywhere I go; my mother wouldn't have had it any other way. And I couldn't live with myself if my oldest friend told me, "Rajiv (Akshay), you've changed, man!"
ques: You are paired with Chitrangda in Desi Boyz. Will this art-commerce blend be palatable?
Akshay: Art and commerce have blended well. Whenever I see Chitrangda, I am reminded of Smita Patil, whose films I loved watching when I was young. Chitrangda is beautiful, and a great actress. Now, she has made a connect with commercial cinema, and will go a long way.
ques: For five years after Garam Masala, John Abraham and you steered clear of each other. Suddenly you are doing two films (Desi Boyz and Housefull 2) together. What gives?
Akshay: When we worked together in Garam Masala, I was not as friendly with John as I am now. Today, we chat and work together. We didn't take up films together simply because we didn't get a great script which would work for us.
ques: Has John changed?
Akshay: The John I saw in Garam Masala, and the John I see now are very different. Not only has his physique improved but his comic timing has bettered with time.
ques: You are the rare star who has five releases every year. How many days do you shoot in a month?
Akshay: I do not work much but my films get finished in time because I report to set on time and leave at the designated hour. On Saturdays, I work from 7 am to 2 pm, after which I spend time the way I want to. I always take an off on Sunday. Every year in June, I take a family vacation because that's when my son has holidays.
ques: The Sanjay Bhansali-produced Rowdy Rathore's poster seems to point to your return to action.
Akshay: The Faulad ki aulad poster has created a lot of curiosity. Such posters were seen back in the 1970s. This film demands a poster like it, and dialogues like khoon bhari maang and faulad ki aulad. In my free time, I practice martial arts but it took a vanvaas from action on screen. Now, I am eager to do such films. Rowdy Rathore, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2 and Khiladi 786, are all packed with action.
ques: Why did you choose to act in Himesh Reshammiya's Khiladi 786, considering his films have not done well?
Akshay: I do not go by box office success reports. The script of Khiladi 786 offers an actor a lot of scope.
ques: Isn't Himesh your co-star in the film too?
Akshay: He has a small role; I play the title role.
ques: So, it's action films and comedies coming up. When do we see you in a grand romance?
Akshay: Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2 is a very romantic and passionate film although action forms a backdrop.
ques: How integral is your personal life to your success?
Akshay: Tina (Twinkle) is my greatest success! You can take away my films, my awards, my career, and I would survive, but I couldn't live a day without my wife and son. Tina has made me a home; one I can run to any minute. I want to share the rest of my life with her.
