Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; June 13, 2014)

It was the first major Friday release post the IPL and Vipul Shah's Holiday - A Soldier Is Never Off Duty delivered. This action-oriented thriller with Akshay Kumar playing an army man with an interesting plot-line opened to a fantastic weekend. What is more, the film has kept the box office engaged even on Monday and Tuesday, showing steady promise.

Trade sources attribute the success of this remake of the Tamil film Thuppakki to filmmaker AR Murugadoss' (who has directed both versions) story-telling ability and to his first-time combo with the Bollywood khiladi, Akshay Kumar.

And even as the film continues its steady trail at the ticket windows; producer Vipul is out there celebrating. Says he, “We got great reviews, great word of mouth from the trade and more importantly , great support from our audience. After Rowdy Rathore, this is another Akshay film that got such fantastic numbers over the opening weekend. The movie has got credibility, commercial success and creativity - all in one. This is a rare moment. I am fortunate that I have got to witness this more than once in my career as a filmmaker. Quite naturally Murugadoss, Akshay and I are ecstatic.'' Vipul, who has shown the film to the secretaries of top-ranking ministers in New Delhi over the last weekend, is hopeful that since there is a strong patriotic message, the film may get a tax exemption.

Says Akshay, “I give the credit for Holiday to my director A R Murugadoss. Holiday is his original vision. And I just feel that I'm lucky to have worked with him in delivering his thought and vision in the right way."