“The Kashmir Files has done so well that it has managed to wipe out my Bachchhan Paandey,” admits Akshay Kumar. The actor, who has started working on his next film, says there will come a time when actors have to accept that they are dispensable.
“I have seen many bad films do well. Many bad films of mine have done well. A lot of times people around you tell you that a film is good, but it still does not do well. So kisi ka baap bhee nahin keh sakta if a film can be a hit or a flop. There are times that people watch a film and tell me that it will get a big opening of 30 crores and then it fails. I have been called a dependable and a bankable star, but these are all hearsay. No one can predict the future of any film,” says Akshay.
The actor stresses that success is temporary and one needs to understand that.
“I have seen many stars fall. Every Friday a new star will fall. I have seen questions from the media change every Friday. Around 8-9 years ago I had a lot of films that flopped and I was asked why so many of my films were flopping. These words change according to the season and I accept that. Everyone has to make place for others to come in, and move out when the time is right,” says Akshay rather philosophically.
The actor believes there is no formula for success. “It has to do with luck. I have seen around 14 to 16 films of my films flop one after the other. One has to just concentrate and keep on working. Everyone has ups and downs, some have a longer night and some have a shorter one. But then there will be daybreak,” says the Khiladi.
Warning against getting complacent, he says, “You need to work hard. When you go to any film shooting studio, you realise that there is a guy standing there who wants to get into the movies, he has done a lot of plays and when you hear him speak, he has a better voice than you and a better body than yours. But why he has not been able to make it is what we call fate,” he notes.
Having said that, the actor churns out movie after movie without a break. “What am I supposed to do? I cannot sit at home. I have to keep working and that is what we are all here for. I am no one to comment on others, but I have to finish a film in 45 or 55 days of shooting. I cannot shoot for 100 days plus for any movie. I need to wrap my shooting on time and move on. I am small actor and not a big star,” says Akshay, who is known as a producer’s actor.
“You know I am still the same person you knew 30 years ago. I have not changed. I have tried not to waste any co actor’s time. I am usually one of the first persons on the set. Everyone’s time need to be respected,” he asserts.
The actor is also the target of many memes. “A lot of people send me memes. I enjoy watching and reading them. A lot of them are pretty intelligent. I even forward them to others. I hope it continues,” he says.
Akshay has many films coming up. “Usually the day one film is released, I start another movie. I have a variety of films coming up. I play a psychopath in Cinderella,” he shares.
Akshay will also be doing a two-hero film with Tiger Shroff - Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan - apart from being part of films like Raksha Bandhan, Selfie and Prithviraj. “I just signed on, as the scripts came in, depending on what was new for me,” he says.
Talking about the film with Tiger, he says, “People should make two- and three-hero films. I don’t understand why actors are reluctant to sign such movies. Look at Hollywood. They make such big films with so many actors. Why can’t a man do a film with five girls in the lead (Mission Mangal)? What is it about the role that everyone keeps harping on? I cannot make an achar of my role. I want to be a part of some good films and hit films which do good business. It is going to benefit me,” he says.
Akshay also reveals that he is learning a new lingo and style of working from the younger generation. “When my son speaks to me in a different lingo, I don’t understand and I tell him please go slow and explain the acronyms to me,” he chuckles.
