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Tushar Joshi (DNA; September 30, 2014)

Akshay Kumar has the ‘most special’ appearance in his upcoming comedy The Shaukeens. But that’s not the only novelty factor about his role. It is learnt that Akshay is playing himself, but with a twist. For the first time on Hindi screen, a reigning superstar has dared to play a fictional version of his own self.

The film, which stars Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor, Piyush Mishra and Lisa Haydon, also features Akshay playing a character that’s completely new to the Indian screens.

For starters, the actor plays an alcoholic in the movie — a complete contradiction to his real self. “In the film, it’s shown that Akshay Kumar, the star, is actually an alcoholic who drinks even when he is working,” reveals a source. “He is eccentric, cranky, crazy and funny. Besides this, a lot more traits spoof on himself,” he adds.
The idea to make Akshay play himself came from writer Tigmanshu Dhulia. As he says, “Many actors have played themselves on screen before. But I felt another dimension could be added to Akshay’s character. When he agreed to do it, it all fell in place.”

Director Abhishek Sharma is excited with this ‘novel’ characterisation. “Hollywood has seen actors taking up such challenges in films like Tropic Thunder,” he says, adding, “But in India, this is the first time. I feel the best part about Akshay is his ability to laugh at himself. That is why he is so good at whatever he does.”
Akshay himself is pretty nonchalant about it all. “I just did what the writer and director asked me to.”