Film or a character is not anyone's personal property: Akshay Kumar

After a slew of patriotic films like Baby and Airlift, Akshay Kumar is all set with his latest flick, Rustom. “I’ve never come across such a screenplay or script. We’ve had many films wherein a man is seen cheating on a woman, but in this movie we will see a woman deceiving her man. Aitraaz was one such film. The ladies are going to absolutely love Rustom, I’m sure,” he says.

However, Akshay is quick to dismiss comparisons with actors like Manoj Kumar. “Manoj Kumar has done great films. I don’t want to be compared to the veteran actor. I don’t think he did films like Dishoom or Housefull 3. I do different kind of films as I don’t want to limit myself to one particular genre.”

About playing a gay in Dishoom, “I’m happy that someone like Rohit Dhawan thought of me for the role,” says Akki. Would he be willing to do a full-fledged gay character then? “Why not? But the character must have something that appeals to me. Only then will the audience enjoy watching me in that role,” he says. Akshay plans to continue this approach in his upcoming projects as well. He feels that his own style was reflected in Rowdy Rathore. “I think it’s important to play a role that you can connect with. Rowdy Rathore was a South Indian film, but I tried to portray the role in my own way. It wasn’t the same as Ravi Teja’s character,” says the actor.

On another front, Akshay will be replacing Arshad Warsi in the sequel to Jolly LLB, and is quite upfront in saying that such replacements are no big deal. “I would like to thank Arshad because he appreciated me for taking up Jolly LLB 2. However, a film or a character kisi ki baap ki jagir nahi ho jati hai — a role in the sequel need not be portrayed by an actor who has done the first movie; it is not like no one else can do it.” He reminds that he too was replaced in films like Welcome Back.

On the recent Twitter goof-up involving Naseeruddin Shah, who shared a sarcastic post on Rajesh Khanna, Akki signs off with his trademark in-your-face advice:  “I have been in the industry for almost 25 years now. I have never spoken ill about anyone. Everyone has the freedom of speech but you should mind your own business. It’s like the saying — those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others. In any case he (Naser) has gracefully apologised, so we all need to put an end to this topic.”