Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2019)

In a career spanning decades, it takes something for an actor to stay relevant for an audience that changes tastes rapidly. Akshay Kumar believes in doing different things all the time to keep boredom at bay — for himself and also for his audience. Over the next few months, he will be seen in a variety of films like Housefull 4, Good News, Sooryavanshi and Laxmmi Bomb. Over to the actor, who talks about his upcoming comedy, what makes him return to a franchise like Housefull, how he avoids getting stereotyped and why there’s no room for insecurity in his life. Excerpts...

Given that you’ve been a part of all the films in the Housefull franchise, it’s evident that it has a special place in your life. Could you tell us why?
There are so many reasons for that. Over the years, working on Housefull has been fun. It’s an ongoing joke between Sajid (Nadiadwala, producer) and me that whenever I need a vacation, I just have to tell him to make Housefull in London (laughs!). It’s my way of enjoying a holiday in London while making a movie. The series is a stress buster for everyone. You might have seen people holding on to and pressing a soft smiley ball to relieve stress. This series is like that ball. True to its title, it’s a full house on the sets, with positive energy and happy faces. Even the promotions become a joy ride. Talking about Housefull 4, it is the first reincarnation horror comedy in our cinema. It’s a novel concept and extremely enjoyable. As an actor, it gave me a chance to play two extremely distinct characters, who are different in appearance, thought and behaviour. And this time, we’re releasing on Diwali, a time when everyone is seeking happiness and a good time at the movies.

What do you think has kept the franchise going, even though the taste of the audience has drastically changed in recent years?
I agree that the audience is changing and their tastes seem to have become more mature. The kind of content being consumed today is quite different from what it was a few years ago, but everyone likes to loosen up a little every once in a while, and I am no different. Some laugh while watching the film because they find things funny, and some laugh because they find it lame. They laugh, thinking, ‘Yeh kya kar rahe hain yaar!’ This is a win-win situation for us. The craziness that these films bring is what the audience relate to, as we manage to tap their lighter side. Housefull chali toh part two bani and woh chali, toh part three bani and that’s how we have reached part four. Otherwise, why make a franchise or a series? Sajid (producer) gives us the liberty to go all out with this film, so much so that some of our off-screen humour tumbles into the film, too. I’ve been doing serious films for two years or more. I just needed to loosen up. Period.

Apart from Riteish Deshmukh, Chunky Panday and you, the rest of the team, including the director, has changed over the last few years. Has that altered anything for you in terms of the filming experience?
Of course, it has. I think the experience just got better with every film. The cast is chosen depending on the demand of the script, but like so many fans of the franchise, even I cannot imagine a Housefull without Riteish and Chunky. Riteish and I have a crackling chemistry, which is rare and exceptional. It translates so well on screen. We get our timing right. And Chunky? I mean, you cannot imagine the film without his character, Aakhri Pasta, can you? We’ve even got his ancestor in this film called Pehla Pasta. And with time, with different people getting associated with the film, we’ve all gained newer experiences and bonded so much. So, it’s a fun space to be in.

Sajid Khan was replaced with Farhad Samji as the director halfway through the film’s shoot following #MeToo allegations. How did the cast deal with this change?
This was a decision made by the producer and the studio backing the film, and all the actors went with it. The process of transition was handled quite smoothly and it didn’t affect our work. Farhad had co-directed Housefull 3 and had written Housefull 4. He had been with us for most part of the shoot and was an obvious choice in those circumstances to take over as the director.

Farhad is also directing you in Bachchan Pandae. Was that a decision you made after you saw how he handled the Housefull 4 crisis?
Farhad and I have worked before, he has written films that I have acted in. Over the years, I have become aware of his capabilities. He’s a talented guy and what he did with Housefull 4 is a feather in his cap. I am quite confident that he can take Bachchan Pandey to another level, so I was happy to have him on board.

Does comedy become challenging for you at any point? Perception is that Akshay Kumar ke liye comedy is the easiest thing to do?
Comedy is not easy, and it never was. Yes, it may look easy because I enjoy doing it. When you enjoy something, you’ve won half the battle already. Each one of us has a strong point. Dancing comes easy to a lot of people; they’re graceful at it. For me, it’s the same thing when it comes to action and comedy. I relish them so much that it doesn’t feel like an effort.

Do your changing sensibilities as an actor, evidenced in a host of serious films over the last few years, ever get into the way of what you try to do in comedy films, which can even border on the lame? Is there ever a conflict in the mind?
No, there is never a conflict. I get into a film knowing what I am doing. I can’t be serious all the time; no one is. You need to try different things, including slapstick comedy. I have had a difficult time trying to break away from the stereotype of an action hero. Now, there’s no reason why I should slip into another stereotype. That’s the reason I keep doing different things and trying newer spaces all the time. Otherwise, what’s the point of being an actor? Now, it’s a conscious call to stay relevant to the scenario and do something for every kind of audience. Good Newwz is a dramedy, Sooryavanshi is action-packed, Laxmmi Bomb is a horror-comedy, and Prithviraj is my first historical. I don’t want to bore myself or the audience by repeating myself. And trust me, even the audience is happy to watch me in different avatars. I think I am in one of the luckiest professions in the world that lets me become so many different people in one lifetime. It’s challenging and fun to play with so many people’s minds, and that’s the reason some actors consciously seek diverse characters.

In the last few months, controversies having been knocking at your door — Raghava Lawrence’s entry, exit and reentry into Laxmmi Bomb or a seven-year-old comment for which you were trolled a week ago, before Sonakshi Sinha finally jumped to your defence. How do you tackle them?
There can be no defence mechanism for controversies. No one seeks them, I don’t want them either, but with social media, controversies have increased manifold. I try not to pay heed to them. With other people’s experiences and some of my own, I have realised that reacting only adds fuel to the fire. I’d rather let it die a natural death. At times, if I feel the need to react, I do, but in most cases, I don’t even pay attention. They’re not worth it!

After spending over two decades in the business and being acknowledged as a bankable star, is there anything you feel you haven’t been able to achieve? Is there anything that can make Akshay Kumar insecure?
By God’s grace and my parents’ blessings, I have everything that one can dream of. Never had I thought that I will reach here and that life will give me so much. I only feel a sense of gratitude for what I have. I never forget where my journey began and how much distance I’ve covered from that point. That fills me with happiness. As for insecurities, na mujhe pehle thi aur na aaj hai. Laanat hai if I ever feel that way after all that I have been blessed with. My parents didn’t ever let that enter my mind. I don’t feel jealous or insecure when I see other people doing well. It doesn’t make me feel bad. Kisne socha tha ki ek Chandni Chowk ka launda kabhi Akshay Kumar banega. I have no reason to feel insecure at this stage of my life and career.