Akshay's life in pics

Akshay Kumar was born on September 9, 1967 in Amritsar. Originally Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, he changed his name to Akshay when he took up acting as a career but still goes by his nickname among loved ones.

He belongs to a middle class family from Delhi's Chandni Chowk. After he graduated from Khalsa College, the family moved to Koliwada in Mumbai. He studied martial arts in Bangkok where he worked as a chef but always wanted to be an actor.

The 6 ft. tall actor got his first modeling assignment thanks to a martial-arts student of his. Akshay realised what he really wanted, when he made a lot more money posing two hours in front of the camera than he would in a month as a chef.

After he had established himself a little in Bollywood, the actor reportedly started dating Pooja Batra. Their affair was short-lived and not very public.

Later, the actor got linked to the gorgeous Raveena Tandon. In Mohra the audience saw the couple set the screen on fire in Tip Tip Barsa Pani.

They broke up soon after and became the hot topic. Everyone wanted to know how the couple got to that stage from being engaged. According to reports, Raveena was devastated and media followed her lead. Akshay was hence named the ‘Casanova' of tinseltown.

Next in a line of beautiful babes was Shilpa Shetty who also fell for his raw masculine charms. The couple's affair was followed closely by gossip magazines.

The two appeared in a lot of movies together and their chemistry was scorching.

They dated consistently until 2000. According to reports, Akshay broke off his engagement with the actress for Twinkle Khanna. This break-up is till date regarded by gossip-mongers as juicy. Consequently the actress refused to work with Akshay.

Later, Shilpa held out the olive branch to Akshay by inviting him to the season finale of Bigg Boss 2.

A lot of hullabaloo was raised when at Shilpa's wedding Akshay's movies' songs were played.

The actor finally married his lady-love Twinkle Khanna on Jan 17, 2001. This gave rest to the controversies around the actor and he settled into happy matrimony. Their son Aarav was born in 2002.

The actor became the first Indian celebrity to endorse Levis globally. The ultimate Alpha male ‘unbuttoned' for the shirtless photoshoot which got a lot of attention.

A First Information Report was registered by the Vakola Police on April 2009 against Akshay Kumar and wife Twinkle Khanna under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code for acting indecently during Lakme Fashion Week where Twinkle unbuttoned Akshay's jeans.

Akshay hosted a martial arts documentary titled Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar for National Geographic Channel.

Akshay endorses Thums up. For the latest Thums Up commercial, the actor executed a breathtaking Yamakasi stunt. His other endorsements include Microsoft, XBOX 360 and Grasim Suitings.

In 2009, the actor received Padma Shri award alongwith actress Aishwarya Rai.

Coming back to his professional life, Akshay was first noticed by producer Pramod Chakravarthy, who offered him his first lead role in Deedar opposite actress Karisma Kapoor. However, the movie's release got delayed to the year 1992.

His actual debut was in Saugandh(1991) where he romanced Rakhee Gulzar and Shanti Priya. Soon after he starred in two average films Dancer and Mr. Bond.

The actor got his big break in the movie Khiladi (1992). The movie gave a head start to the Khiladi series which was widely popular.

This was followed by five films which performed poorly at the box-office. These were Ashaant, Dil Ki Baazi, Kayda Kanoon, Waqt Hamara Hai and Sainik.

Not the one to quit, the actor came back with a bang with Mohra where he played the role of a police officer. The movie grossed a huge fortune at the box-office.

The actor was appreciated for his performance in a romantic role in Yeh Dillagi. This was a break from his usual action-hero image. He received his first Filmfare and Star Screen Best Actor nominations.

The next in the Khiladi series Main Khiladi Tu Anari created frenzy. With Saif Ali Khan as the ‘anari' and Akshay as the ‘khiladi' cop, the movie left everyone looking forward to the next movie.

With successful films like Suhaag and Elaan in the same year, Akshay carved a niche for himself in the industry.

After Maidan-E-Jung, came the third movie in the Khiladi series- Sabse Bada Khiladi which was a huge hit.

Opposite Mamta Kulkarni, he again played the role of a cop.

After Bollywood's Khiladi was again seen policing the villains in Tu Chor Main Sipahi, the fourth Khiladi movie came out. Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi saw him sharing the screen with Rekha, romancing his then girlfriend Raveena Tandon and lifting WWF champ Undertaker.

This proved to be a daunting task for the fit hero when he nearly broke his neck and back. He was treated extensively in the US.

In 1997 he was again seen donning the cop uniform for his roles in Insaaf, Tarazu and Daava.

Also seen as a good-for-nothing rich brat in Aflatoon, he touched every variation possible.

In the same year, the fifth Khiladi venture - Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi bombed at the box-office. From hereon, his other releases in the Khiladi series flopped. These included International Khiladi and Khiladi 420.

Unperturbed, Akshay got noticed for his supporting role in Dil To Pagal Hai. He got a Filmfare nomination for his performance.

In 1999, Akshay received critical acclaim for Sangharsh and Jaanwar. Although the former was not a commercial success, the latter turned out to be one.

In 2000, Akshay showed us his funny side in Hera Pheri. The movie was a commercial success and Akshay was reborn as a comedy-star.

He also starred in the romantic drama Dhadkan opposite then-girlfriend Shilpa Shetty. This was their last movie together.

In 2001, Akshay played a villain in Ajnabee, which was a remake of Consenting Adults. His portrayal of a negative character was good enough to win him his first Filmfare.

In Aankhen he played a blind man's character. Even though the film got a lot of nominations, Akshay failed to get any.

Following his success in a comic role in Hera Pheri, he was seen in a number of comedies. These included Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Garam Masala (2005) to name a few.

His performance in Garam Masala got him his second Filmfare while for Mujhse Shaadi Karogi he got two Filmfare nominations. The same year he starred in another romantic comedy Deewane Huye Paagal which was a remake of There's Something About Mary. The actor hence established himself as a comedy actor.

Meanwhile, he was also appreciated for his more serious roles in Khakee, Police Force and Aan: Men at Work where he was yet again seen playing a cop.

Khakee got him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In Aitraaz his pairing with Priyanka Chopra was liked by many. Playing the role of a loyal husband trying to ward off the advances of a seductress, his acting was convincing. There were quite a few bold scenes in the movie.

Waqt had him playing the role of an irresponsible son. Teamed up with Amitabh Bachchan, the movie did better overseas.

In Family –Ties of Blood, Amitabh again played his dad. However, the movie was too ordinary to create an impression.

Inspired by a true story, Humko Deewana Kar Gayi had Katrina Kaif playing his love-interest. Their jodi was such a big hit, that they subsequently starred in a number of successful movies together.

In 2006, Neeraj Vora released the sequel of Hera Pheri. In the aptly titled Phir Hera Pheri, Akshay as Raju cracked us all up with his perfect comic timing.

The deadly combo of comedy kings- Govinda and Akshay made us all howl with mirth in Bhagam Bhag. The movie's hilarious storyline and the commendable performances made it a hit at the box-office.

Akshay and Katrina Kaif warmed up the silver screen again in 2007 with the romantic comedy Namastey London. The movie made a star out of Katrina. Akshay's portrayal of the adorable small-town Punjabi munda trying to woo the spoilt Katrina received unanimous praise.

Later that year came Welcome with both the stars playing similar roles. This movie was also a hit. Akshay and Katrina were now being compared with the ultimate hit jodi of Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan.

Heyy Babyy also got him appreciation the same year for playing the typical urban man scared of commitment.

He was also seen in the psychological thriller comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa. This was a remake of the 1993 Malayalam film, Manichitrathazhu. The film was declared a superhit

With Kareena Kapoor in Tashan, Akshay failed to make an impression. The film opened to mixed reviews amidst much hype about Kareena's size-zero figure.

Akshay and Katrina amused us in Singh is Kinng. Katrina made her saree debut in the movie and the song Teri Ore caused frenzy. Akshay got nominated for Filmfare Best Actor Award and Asian Film Award for Best Actor

The movie raked in crores and many started calling Akshay the new ‘King of Bollywood', as suggested by the title. He also lent his voice for the animated Jumbo.

In Chandni Chowk to China his pairing with Deepika Padukone received a positive response. The movie, however, performed average.

Also performing poorly the same year were 8 X 10 Tasveer and Kambakkht Ishq.

Blue got negative reviews with Anupam Chopra calling it an 'incredibly dim-witted underwater thriller'.

For the song Chiggy Wiggy, Anthony D'Souza got international star Kylie Minogue swaying to the rhythm with Akshay.

De Dana Dan again brought Katrina Kaif and Akshay together. The movie opened to the tenth biggest grossing weekend of all time but was declared above average.

His movie Housefull got mixed reviews and so did Priyadarshan's Khatta Meetha.

However the actor has two big releases coming up-Action Replayy opposite Aishwarya Rai and Tees Maar Khan with Katrina Kaif.

Akshay's love for cooking is well-known and now the actor is all set to host and judge "Amul MasterChef India".

This will be his second show on the small screen after hosting Khatron ke Khiladi.