No Speculation On Release Of Akshay Kumar's Bell Bottom Please, Urge Makers

The actor, who has begun shooting for his next, says one has to start somewhere, but with diligence and caution
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 19, 2021)

Akshay Kumar is known for always leading the pack — whether it’s being the first actor to step out and shoot amid the pandemic, or now, announcing a theatrical release for his next, Bell Bottom, after the second wave of Covid-19 crisis has ebbed. Grateful for the amount of work he has currently, the actor says that is enough to drive him every single day. Excerpts from a chat:

While cinemas are yet to open, Bellbottom has announced its theatrical release. Given the uncertainty, how critical is it to commit to release dates?
The pandemic is not a Bollywood or a Hollywood thing, it has affected lives world over. Dates have shifted, theatrical films have gone on OTT. But now, we’re already partially into the unlock phase with things looking up. So, one has to plan ahead, being a little hopeful along with being careful. So here we are, keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for a positive outcome.

You’ve already shot for a couple of days for Prithviraj, and now Raksha Bandhan has started. Isn’t this taking too much risk? What drives you to go on without fear?
I admit it’s not without fear. I’m fearing every move, but I’m grateful for the amount of work I have — that’s enough drive to get me up and ready to share my masked face with the world again. We’ve to start somewhere, but with diligence.

As much as my whole life has been about taking risks, when it’s about health, I’m very serious. This pandemic has reminded us just how short life can be... it’s time to start chasing our rainbows again, feel the outside air in our lungs, build our mental health and slowly let Covid-19 become the new norm.

Any special precautions being taken this time on set?
RT-PCR tests of all those present on set will be done 24 hours before the shoot and repeated every five days. Besides having medical-grade masks and face shields for the crew, there’ll also be an onset doctor and sanitisation stations will be set up throughout the set area.

Talking of your lineup of films — Sooryavanshi, Bellbottom, Atrangi Re, Prithviraj, Ram Setu, Bachchan Pandey, Raksha Bandhan and OMG 2 — do you ever get anxious thinking what if they don’t reach the audiences or get delayed?
I truly believe in, kaam karo, phal ki chinta mat karo. I’m an actor, and I want all my films to be showcased on the big screen, though the unprecedented times we’re living in, nothing is certain. But God is kind. I’m glad to be an actor in this day and age where I’ve an option to release my work on OTT. So, that’s a good thing as one way or another, my work will reach the audiences.

What’s the current status of Sooryavanshi? Any plans to release it when theatres reopen?
I thank all my fans for keeping the excitement alive for more than a year. When the situation had started to look better, we decided to release it earlier in April this year; but that plan got foiled. My mother tells me, ‘Fikar na kari puttar, ismein bhi kuch achha hi hona hai.’ Over the years, I’ve started to believe it. Let’s see, maybe we’ll be lucky the third time.

It has been a little over two months since you recovered from Coronavirus. Do you think you should have given your body some more rest before you started shooting for projects back-to-back?
As much as I wouldn’t wish this on myself or anyone, I am relieved it happened in April, for I have rested more now than I have since I was born. I’ve had time to recover, reflect and improve my lifestyle. I’ve been more gentle with myself than ever before, especially with my training, my expectations. I’ve understood the silver lining to catching Covid and it’s to appreciate every breath I’m lucky enough to take from this day forward. The post that my wife shared [after I got discharged from the hospital], made me realise not everyone gets to come home, I was one of the lucky ones and I will never forget that.

DHOOM 4? FAKE NEWS!
Last week, there was strong buzz that Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan are likely to star in Dhoom 4. It all started when a fan-made poster of the film along with Khan’s name went viral and another fan posted Kumar’s photos in full action stating that he has met filmmaker Aditya Chopra and Dhoom 4 is confirmed. When we asked Kumar if there are any talks going on, he says, “As for the Dhoom 4 speculation, I have two words for you, FAKE NEWS!”