Showing posts with label Akshay Kumar father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Akshay Kumar father. Show all posts
In Sooryavanshi, I’ve done the kind of stunts I would do in my late 20s-Akshay Kumar
8:32 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2020)
With Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, Akshay Kumar is back into the hardcore action zone. A space that is close to his heart and one that he can never completely leave behind. He says, “I’m glad that I could do it all over again at 52, with the same focus and agility”. Today, as the trailer of the film unveils, the actor speaks to BT about his deep respect for our men in uniform, how his family and foundation has helped shape his career and what drove him to return to his roots — high-octane action, blended with a story that is relevant to today’s times. Excerpts...
This year, you complete 30 years in the business, and you are still going strong. In showbiz, that is considered a long run…
I think I am fortunate that I lucked out with just 30 per cent hard work. I’m grateful for everything destiny and this industry has given me. I lucked out with just 30% hard work. I’m grateful for everything destiny and this industry have given me: Akshay Kumar
Over the past 12 months, images on social media have given us a glimpse of the kind of action that has been packed into Sooryavanshi. After a string of films like Good Newwz, Mission Mangal, Padman and Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, which covered a variety of subjects, what prompted you to perform daredevil stunts on screen, all over again?
Yaar, bandar kitna bhi buddha ho jaaye, gulatiyan maarna nahi bhoolta, aur na hi chhodta hai. Woh kalabaaziyan toh karega hi na (laughs!). Honestly, I enjoy performing stunts and it makes me happy to be able to pull it off without the use of computer graphics. When you see the trailer today, you will realise that I’ve performed the kind of stunts that I used to do when I was in my late 20s and early 30s. I’ve used the techniques that I had learnt early on in my life. For instance, we have performed a chopper stunt, which I had first attempted when I was 28 years old. I’m glad that I could do it all over again at 52, with the same focus and agility. I’ve often heard the audience complain about the quality of VFX in action scenes and so, Rohit and I ensured that we don’t use VFX in at least 90 per cent of action sequences.
However, I’ve realised that it’s safer to do stunts now. Rohit and his team are extremely vigilant and careful. They had worked out every scene in detail, including the action sequences.
You have done 11 films in about three years, and that’s an impressive number. While most of them worked at the box office, some didn’t hit the bull’s eye. Are you nervous about Sooryavanshi, as,in our movies, there has been a lot of growth in the action space in the last few years?
All my films are important to me. In fact, my flops are dearer and more important for me because they caution me to take a step back and analyse what went wrong. I remember, there was a time when I saw 14 flops in a row. When I was working on the 14th film, I thought yeh to chal jayegi, lekin nahi chali. And then, when I thought yeh 15th film ka pata nahi kya hoga, it worked. It ended my spell of flops. So, it’s difficult to say what works and what doesn’t. My experiences have taught me that the result of a film is never in your hands. You just have to keep faith in whatever you do and give it your best. That is all that I do, and that is what I have done with Sooryavanshi, too.
It’s known that you are fascinated by roles that require you to be a ‘man in uniform’. Was that one of the reasons you agreed to be a part of this film?
I have a special kind of love and reverence for uniforms because my father was in the army and I had always seen him wear his uniform, proudly. In the case of Sooryavanshi, I got a chance to revisit that space of a hardcore commercial action film. It gave me that sense of déjà vu, as I performed the kind of action that I did years ago. There’s no one better than Rohit Shetty for this. And, when he narrated the subject of this film to me, I was more than happy to become a part of his cop universe. It’s a successful, home-grown universe of heroic police officers.
You’ve also collaborated with Katrina Kaif after a considerable gap. What difference do you see in her as an actor, today?
There’s a world of difference. Of course, it was fun working with her because we’ve worked together on many films in the past. She has a considerable part to play in Sooryavanshi. It has been wonderful to see her growth as an actor. Her command of Hindi has improved manifold. I remember there was a crucial scene in the film, which was intense and high on emotions. She handled it well and there are quite a few scenes, which make you realise that she has come into her own as an actor. She has shown that she is more than someone who is goodlooking and a great dancer.
There have been several films in the past that have focused on the commendable work that the police force does. On the other hand, there have also been films that have created a weak imagery of the police force on screen. Rohit Shetty’s cop universe has always shown the heroism of the force.
Every uniform — whether it’s of the police or the defence forces — is worn by someone, who can have a negative side or positive side. If some films in the past have shown cops with shades of grey, it’s only to say that being like that does not help. Being corrupt or doing things that are against your duty does not pay you dividends. In its own way, a film like Khakee showed the daring side of the policemen.
Rohit took it a few notches higher and turned it into a series of commercial films about a saviour or heroic rakshak in a police uniform. He created a larger-than-life image of the police, which I think is commendable because these men in khaki are not as large in numbers as the aam junta, but they give their all to ensure that the city breathes in peace.
After being a part of films for so many years as an actor, and now as a producer as well, is there anything that you fear?
Being scared is the first step towards doing things right. There’s good fear and bad fear in all of us. Good fear makes you cautious and helps you measure everything before you set out to do it. I have a lot of fear in me, but it’s the good fear, which makes me think things through before I start off. Of course, a wrong decision can take your career downhill. You can’t avert accidents like these completely, but some caution can reduce its impact. Today, as an actor, I don’t want to repeat myself. Even if I revisit a genre, it should be after a considerable gap. Also, the reason I don’t feel insecure and inhibited about anything, is my family. The foundation of this was laid during my childhood. Jab paise kum the, hum tab bhi khush the, aaj paise hain tab bhi utne hi khush hain. Main kya leke aaya tha iss industry mein jisko khone ki chinta karun!
How often has the outcome of something you have worked on surprised you?
Too many times. In this industry, there are surprises all the time. There are times when you’ve thought that something will work, it doesn’t and strangely, something you did not bank on, works. There’s nothing that you can be too sure of in your life. You can only be sure of being a professional, doing your job and not hurting people with your words. In simple terms, mind your own business. Remembering your basics and staying connected with your roots is way cooler than forgetting them. People find it amusing that I sleep and wake up early. When people question me about it, I find that funny. When people joke about the work I pull off in a year, I feel like telling them that you can do it too, but you chose not to.
My son Aarav is like my science teacher-Akshay Kumar
7:53 AM
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 9, 2019)
Akshay Kumar, who’s gearing up for the release of Mission Mangal, hopes Indian cinema will tell more stories of national heroes in the coming years. The actor, whose film is inspired by the 2014 Mars Orbiter Mission, conceded that most filmmakers were afraid to venture into sci-fi, forget space science.
On his own experiments with science, Akshay recalled the time his father bought him a transistor radio. “He paid Rs 175 for a shiny red transistor. I was five years old and having a radio was a big thing at the time. I would listen to songs on it. A few days later, I showed him a black circular object that I had discovered. It would stick when I threw it at the cupboard. He said, ‘That’s a magnet. Where did you get it?’ I told him that I had taken it out of the radio. I thought I had made a scientific breakthrough, till my dad told me that I had damaged the transistor. That was my tryst with science as a kid,” smiles the actor who plays senior scientist Rakesh Dhawan in the film.
When asked if he talks science and technology with his son, Aarav, Akshay asserted that the younger generation has an entirely different and much greater exposure than his own. “We don’t discuss, he tells me things. It’s a different learning experience. My son is like my science teacher,” he added.
When it comes to personal stories, the Khiladi Kumar continued to spill the beans during a recent turn on The Kapil Sharma Show. Appearing with his Mission Mangal co-stars, Akshay confided that he avoids going partying with his friends for fear of having to foot the entire bill.
Taapsee, who also features in the film alongside Sonakshi Sinha, Vidya Balan and Nithya Menen, chimed in, revealing that she broke up with her boyfriend in the ninth standard, so she could “concentrate on the 10th standard board exams”.
Aarav is interested only in his studies; not aware if he will get into the industry-Akshay Kumar
8:28 AM
DNA (August 8, 2018)
Aarav Bhatia is a strikingly good-looking boy and invariably makes heads turn when he steps out with his parents — power couple Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar. He has also become a paparazzi favourite for a few years now and manages to get photographed as much as his mom and dad.
The grapevine is abuzz with talk that Aarav and his close friends including Ibrahim Ali Khan (son of Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan) and Subhan Nadiadwala (son of filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala and Warda Nadiadwala) will lead the future Bollywood brigade.
On an earlier occasion, Akshay had shared with us that Aarav and his gang of boys work out religiously and some of them already sport six-pack abs.
However, when we recently met the Bollywood superstar, who was promoting his Independence Day-release Gold and asked him whether he sees Aarav and his friends in the movies shortly, the doting dad said, “I don’t know about others. As for Aarav, he is too young and currently, he is interested only in his studies. I’m not aware if he will get into the industry. I’m not pushing him. Today’s children have a mind of their own. My son is no different. Once he wraps up his studies here in Mumbai, he wants to go to a school in London, which he has already selected. I let my kids be the way they want to be.”
Akshay adds, “This is the way I was brought up. My father realised that I wasn’t inclined towards studies but was interested in sports, so he inspired me to pursue what I liked. Akshay adds, “It was due to my father that I went to Bangkok to learn Martial Arts. At that time, I didn’t know that I would end up in films as a khiladi (pun intended).”
Pondering a little more on the subject of parenting, Akshay avers, “Parents can only show their children a path and help them identify their goals as adolescents. After that, the latter can decide what they wish to do. All through their growing up years, parents need to watch out and be careful that their children don’t take to alcohol, smoking, drugs or any substance abuse. And, of course, they need to say a prayer each day for their young one’s well-being. Beyond that, the child is his own master.”
Getting back to Aarav, Akshay says, “With my son, my job is simple. I let him do whatever he wants. If he feels a particular school is good for him, he checks out its website, fills the form and completes the formalities by himself. My job is to sign as a guardian and just pay the money. It’s as simple as that. Not to forget, my wife, Tina, is also a fabulously responsible parent to both our kids.”
I picked up Undertaker who is 420 pounds; led to slip disc; my biggest regret-Akshay Kumar
12:33 PM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; September 6, 2014)
LAUNCH OF A NEW SHOW TITLED: DARE 2 DANCE
TYPE OF SHOW: Reality
CHANNEL: On Life OK
STARTS: Today
TIMING: 8:30pm to 10pm
DAYS OF THE WEEK: Every Saturday and Sunday
NO. OF WEEKS: 8 weeks (every week a new challenge)
ANCHOR: Akshay Kumar
PARTICIPANTS: Combination of Indians and foreigners;
SHOT: Outdoor in Cape Town
JUDGE: Akshay Kumar; No elimination every week.
TYPE OF SHOW: Reality
CHANNEL: On Life OK
STARTS: Today
TIMING: 8:30pm to 10pm
DAYS OF THE WEEK: Every Saturday and Sunday
NO. OF WEEKS: 8 weeks (every week a new challenge)
ANCHOR: Akshay Kumar
PARTICIPANTS: Combination of Indians and foreigners;
SHOT: Outdoor in Cape Town
JUDGE: Akshay Kumar; No elimination every week.
What is unique about this show?
It is the world's first reality show, which has a combination of both
dance and action. World's first show where you are dared and challenged
to dance in extremely difficult outdoor environments, using different
elements of nature, be it dancing underwater, on ice, in midair or with
fire. For instance, the contestants were on a platform 500 feet above
the ground and there was no sun. At that height, there was a lot of
breeze, but yet they performed and the same has been carried unedited. Indian contestants will compete with contestants from across the world.
Akshay's contribution to the show
It was initially meant to be just another dance show, till Akshay suggested that they do a different format where participants are dared to dance in difficult outdoor situations. Therefore not on a stage inside the studio, but for instance on a stage hung 500 feet above the ground or underwater amongst many others. One girl was petrified to dance underwater as she did not know how to swim. But Akshay told her how she did not need to know swimming, as she, in fact, had to drown and dance at the bottom of the water, learning only to breathe, be calm and concentrate on dancing.
Akshay was originally only the anchor, but during the course of the show turned mentor, stuntman (taught them stunts), danced, creative director (idea of taking it out of the studio), cameraman (photographed the contestants sitting on the helicopter), part composer and also singer of the theme song.
Most interesting questions addressed to Akshay at the launch press conference:
1) Where do you get so much himmat from?
From eating chawanprash. I enjoy doing things like this and if your work is your passion, you automatically get energy for it.
2) What time did the participants have to wake up in the morning given that you wake up as early as 5 am yourself?
They had to wake up at 4 am, eat their breakfast, warm up, practise and be ready for me to come.
AKSHAY TALKS ABOUT ACTION
Dare 2 Dance is a first-of its-kind reality show in the world, which mixes dance and action together in a unique format. The Life OK team has aptly chosen the Khiladi Kumar, who is also a great dancer as its anchor.While so far, Indian television has landed up only insourcing successful television formats from across the world, this time Ajit Thakur from Life OK told us that he has already received his first query from a European production house to outsource this format, given that it is a first ever. Akshay confesses that he has always been most attracted to action and that he attributes 80% of his success in life to it. He obviously meant it when he says, 'Jiski life mein dare nahi, uski life ki khair nahi.' Excerpts from a conversation with him:
It's one thing to do stunts at the beginning of your life. But given the risk it involves, don't you feel scared doing it with your wife and kids?
My father was a wrestler and over time, taking risks has become a part of my DNA, but you just spoke to my wife and you know how she has given up on me. She once called me when I was hanging upside down from a height, saying the driver had not come. I just told her, 'Can I talk to you later?' Twinkle told me that she feels concerned that you sometimes don't even use a harness (something akin to a seat belt that holds you so that you don't fall).
Why?
Sometimes I don't. For instance, if I am in the chopper, I didn't wear one. The pilot was asked to go over 30 feet i.e. 3rd floor. I know that I am flying over water and sand. Suppose if a wind gush comes or something happens to the helicopter, my life is dependent on that. If I fall, I have calculated in my mind that I can take the fall.However, if I was flying 500 feet above the ground, then I would surely wear it. Stunts are basically science. You have to keep on calculating in your mind. For instance, even if I have to jump from just sitting in my car on the ground that is just 2 feet below, I have to calculate. I have known actors who have had hairline fractures in their legs doing this, because they have not thought before they have jumped and have landed wrong.
Are you trained for stunts?
Of course. All my life, I have done just this, be it learning martial arts or doing outdoor sports like skating, under water, mountaineering, rock and rope climbing amongst many others. Also, your experience counts. The biggest stuntmen have died doing small stunts. It is not the big stunts that kill you, as you are careful there. There is something in your body called good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. So, there is something called 'Good Fear' and 'Bad Fear'. Like, if I have to jump from my car on to the ground, I should have Good Fear. Fear is good when it makes you calculate what will happen. The science part is Good Fear. Even in Hollywood, if they have to jump down from the 7th floor and the wind is not proper, they will say, 'Cut stunt,' tomorrow. As there is a science. I remember I have jumped down many times from a chopper. There was an actor who did that and broke his leg so badly that he could not walk for three years. When there is air pressure, you will fall diagonally and not straight and therefore, you need to plan how you will jump, otherwise despite there being an air bag below, you will get hurt.
Have you got used to doing stunts or still face fear?
I always have Good Fear. If I feel it is wrong, I will stop and say, 'Nahi nahi, yahaan se nahi, wahan se.' I will change the angle even if it is a small jump or I will say, 'No, my shoe is not okay. I want the other solid shoes, not the heeled ones, as I can twist my foot.' Even if the director will feel at that point that I am being fussy, I will still calculate and do it to the way I feel it is safer, using science and my experience.
Have you made a mistake that you regret?
I made the biggest mistake of once picking up The Undertaker (the famous WWF wrestler), who is 420 pounds and landed myself with a slip disc that will remain with me for life. Till today, I regret it as. So I have to it never goes away exercise my core and make the surrounding muscles strong, so that they don't affect your working.
Do you pray before a stunt?
Yes always. There is never a stunt when I don't pray. Not just stunt, but everytime I sit on an aircraft or drive a car, I pray. You can try this. Put a camera without people seeing it when they take off or land in a flight, and you will find that many people have shut their eyes and are praying that time.
What makes you do TV apart from the money?
I jokingly keep saying that I am doing this for money, but in reality, even if I stop working and my son doesn't work all his life, we have the money, but that is not the point. The honest thing is the passion that makes me get up in the morning. I get excited every time I get into a new character. I am so lucky to have a profession where I have so many dimensions in my life and get to play so many characters. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I want to sleep early to get up early morning to start my day and work. I came to the industry to earn money, but now I don't need the money. Last 10 years, I just enjoy my work and I don't think I will be able to survive without work. I have become so used to work. In fact, I think I will grow old if I don't.
Does age worry you in any way?
I personally think if you take care of your body, treat it nicely, oil it properly and your body will give you 10 years more service.
Why have you decided to not eliminate contestants in each episode in this show?
I went to my son's school and there, they don't have rankings when kids race. Every one just participates. I did the same thing in the show, where I keep giving them red and green cards if they need to be given a warning or if they have performed well, but we don't eliminate till they have been given a red card a num ber of times. I appreciate that the Life OK team did not control me on who I wanted to keep or eliminate, that is quite often the case, and I could decide freely .
Any particular contestants you want to talk about?
I was very much scared for the contestants as I had put them under a lot of dare. For instance, one of the contest ants Scarlett was scared of heights and yet, I had to make her jump with me from a height. Even though there was an air bag below, I know that there is always a risk, but once she jumped and landed she wanted to do it again. It's like when you get off a moving bus for the first time, it is scary, but then when you keep doing it, you get used to it. I don't give up ever, but I learnt to never give up once again from these young contestants. I specially want to name a boy called Sanam. He was so sincere and honest and reminded me of myself, who wants to do so much for their family. Usually on reality shows, every contestant hates the other. But I saw that each time someone was going to do a very daring act, he would catch his hand and say a small prayer with him. I know that it was honest as they would themselves call him to do it if he forgot anytime, as they knew that he was doing it truly.
Akshay's contribution to the show
It was initially meant to be just another dance show, till Akshay suggested that they do a different format where participants are dared to dance in difficult outdoor situations. Therefore not on a stage inside the studio, but for instance on a stage hung 500 feet above the ground or underwater amongst many others. One girl was petrified to dance underwater as she did not know how to swim. But Akshay told her how she did not need to know swimming, as she, in fact, had to drown and dance at the bottom of the water, learning only to breathe, be calm and concentrate on dancing.
Akshay was originally only the anchor, but during the course of the show turned mentor, stuntman (taught them stunts), danced, creative director (idea of taking it out of the studio), cameraman (photographed the contestants sitting on the helicopter), part composer and also singer of the theme song.
Most interesting questions addressed to Akshay at the launch press conference:
1) Where do you get so much himmat from?
From eating chawanprash. I enjoy doing things like this and if your work is your passion, you automatically get energy for it.
2) What time did the participants have to wake up in the morning given that you wake up as early as 5 am yourself?
They had to wake up at 4 am, eat their breakfast, warm up, practise and be ready for me to come.
AKSHAY TALKS ABOUT ACTION
Dare 2 Dance is a first-of its-kind reality show in the world, which mixes dance and action together in a unique format. The Life OK team has aptly chosen the Khiladi Kumar, who is also a great dancer as its anchor.While so far, Indian television has landed up only insourcing successful television formats from across the world, this time Ajit Thakur from Life OK told us that he has already received his first query from a European production house to outsource this format, given that it is a first ever. Akshay confesses that he has always been most attracted to action and that he attributes 80% of his success in life to it. He obviously meant it when he says, 'Jiski life mein dare nahi, uski life ki khair nahi.' Excerpts from a conversation with him:
It's one thing to do stunts at the beginning of your life. But given the risk it involves, don't you feel scared doing it with your wife and kids?
My father was a wrestler and over time, taking risks has become a part of my DNA, but you just spoke to my wife and you know how she has given up on me. She once called me when I was hanging upside down from a height, saying the driver had not come. I just told her, 'Can I talk to you later?' Twinkle told me that she feels concerned that you sometimes don't even use a harness (something akin to a seat belt that holds you so that you don't fall).
Why?
Sometimes I don't. For instance, if I am in the chopper, I didn't wear one. The pilot was asked to go over 30 feet i.e. 3rd floor. I know that I am flying over water and sand. Suppose if a wind gush comes or something happens to the helicopter, my life is dependent on that. If I fall, I have calculated in my mind that I can take the fall.However, if I was flying 500 feet above the ground, then I would surely wear it. Stunts are basically science. You have to keep on calculating in your mind. For instance, even if I have to jump from just sitting in my car on the ground that is just 2 feet below, I have to calculate. I have known actors who have had hairline fractures in their legs doing this, because they have not thought before they have jumped and have landed wrong.
Are you trained for stunts?
Of course. All my life, I have done just this, be it learning martial arts or doing outdoor sports like skating, under water, mountaineering, rock and rope climbing amongst many others. Also, your experience counts. The biggest stuntmen have died doing small stunts. It is not the big stunts that kill you, as you are careful there. There is something in your body called good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. So, there is something called 'Good Fear' and 'Bad Fear'. Like, if I have to jump from my car on to the ground, I should have Good Fear. Fear is good when it makes you calculate what will happen. The science part is Good Fear. Even in Hollywood, if they have to jump down from the 7th floor and the wind is not proper, they will say, 'Cut stunt,' tomorrow. As there is a science. I remember I have jumped down many times from a chopper. There was an actor who did that and broke his leg so badly that he could not walk for three years. When there is air pressure, you will fall diagonally and not straight and therefore, you need to plan how you will jump, otherwise despite there being an air bag below, you will get hurt.
Have you got used to doing stunts or still face fear?
I always have Good Fear. If I feel it is wrong, I will stop and say, 'Nahi nahi, yahaan se nahi, wahan se.' I will change the angle even if it is a small jump or I will say, 'No, my shoe is not okay. I want the other solid shoes, not the heeled ones, as I can twist my foot.' Even if the director will feel at that point that I am being fussy, I will still calculate and do it to the way I feel it is safer, using science and my experience.
Have you made a mistake that you regret?
I made the biggest mistake of once picking up The Undertaker (the famous WWF wrestler), who is 420 pounds and landed myself with a slip disc that will remain with me for life. Till today, I regret it as. So I have to it never goes away exercise my core and make the surrounding muscles strong, so that they don't affect your working.
Do you pray before a stunt?
Yes always. There is never a stunt when I don't pray. Not just stunt, but everytime I sit on an aircraft or drive a car, I pray. You can try this. Put a camera without people seeing it when they take off or land in a flight, and you will find that many people have shut their eyes and are praying that time.
What makes you do TV apart from the money?
I jokingly keep saying that I am doing this for money, but in reality, even if I stop working and my son doesn't work all his life, we have the money, but that is not the point. The honest thing is the passion that makes me get up in the morning. I get excited every time I get into a new character. I am so lucky to have a profession where I have so many dimensions in my life and get to play so many characters. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I want to sleep early to get up early morning to start my day and work. I came to the industry to earn money, but now I don't need the money. Last 10 years, I just enjoy my work and I don't think I will be able to survive without work. I have become so used to work. In fact, I think I will grow old if I don't.
Does age worry you in any way?
I personally think if you take care of your body, treat it nicely, oil it properly and your body will give you 10 years more service.
Why have you decided to not eliminate contestants in each episode in this show?
I went to my son's school and there, they don't have rankings when kids race. Every one just participates. I did the same thing in the show, where I keep giving them red and green cards if they need to be given a warning or if they have performed well, but we don't eliminate till they have been given a red card a num ber of times. I appreciate that the Life OK team did not control me on who I wanted to keep or eliminate, that is quite often the case, and I could decide freely .
Any particular contestants you want to talk about?
I was very much scared for the contestants as I had put them under a lot of dare. For instance, one of the contest ants Scarlett was scared of heights and yet, I had to make her jump with me from a height. Even though there was an air bag below, I know that there is always a risk, but once she jumped and landed she wanted to do it again. It's like when you get off a moving bus for the first time, it is scary, but then when you keep doing it, you get used to it. I don't give up ever, but I learnt to never give up once again from these young contestants. I specially want to name a boy called Sanam. He was so sincere and honest and reminded me of myself, who wants to do so much for their family. Usually on reality shows, every contestant hates the other. But I saw that each time someone was going to do a very daring act, he would catch his hand and say a small prayer with him. I know that it was honest as they would themselves call him to do it if he forgot anytime, as they knew that he was doing it truly.
My father brought me up in an army way-Akshay Kumar
8:03 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; May 27, 2014)
Akshay Kumar's father Hari
Om Bhatia was a soldier in the Indian, based in Amritsar, till he joined
UNICEF as an accountant in Delhi, where Akshay was born. Akshay's
upcoming film Holiday — A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, directed by AR Murugadoss, is based on the life
of an Indian soldier, played by Akshay, who goes on a holiday and
finds something wrong, which he fights for to correct, thus giving the
message that an army officer in reality is never off duty. Akshay
feels strongly for the army and its men and so he decided to visit two
army camps, one in Jodhpur and the other, naturally Amritsar, the camp
where his father worked for the army. Bombay Times was present
exclusively with Akshay during this journey and we bring you highlights
of his visit to Jodhpur, where he went first. We bring you excerpts from
a conversation with him during the journey,
where he talks about his army way of living, his
my way of living, his father-in-law who he
called `Buddy' and his mother-in-law, who he considers the greatest
woman
he has ever met.
Do you have memories of your dad being in the army at all?
I don't have much memories of my dad being in the army, as he had given up the army by the time I was born, but I have always been brought up in an army way. He would wake me up at 5 am and take me for jogging with him. I was always early to bed and early to rise.
I don't have much memories of my dad being in the army, as he had given up the army by the time I was born, but I have always been brought up in an army way. He would wake me up at 5 am and take me for jogging with him. I was always early to bed and early to rise.
Talk about your relationship with your father-in-law Rajesh Khanna?I knew him even before I met Tina. He was a producer and in my struggling days, I had visited his office 5-6 times to look for work. On one of my visits, he told me that he was making a film with Chunky Panday, post which I should come to him. We would call each other Buddies and he would often say, `Buddy what are you doing?' He was a chilled out mind. I still remember the last holiday when we went with the family to Goa and can never forget that holiday. Even though he was very sick we took him along and even in that state, he would enjoy his alcohol and why not? What I liked most about him was that he was very lion-hearted and he was a yaron ka yaar. Jo bol diya soh kar diya. He liked the fact that I was taking good care of his daughter and he loved my son Aarav a lot.
Every wife likes to flaunt and make comparisons between her father and her husband. Does Tina also do that to you?
For her, her parents are the biggest. I am nothing in front of them. And that is true, I am nothing in front of them. Her favourite line is, `My parents have won national awards. What have you got?'
Between your in-laws, is it true that you are closer to your mother-in-law Dimple Kapadia?
Yes, I am closer to her and I truly believe that she is a great woman and a great human being. The way she has taken care of her friends, Rajesh Khannaji and her sis ter, going to hospital every day for nine months is com mendable. I still remember once I had gone to Lilavati hospital to see her sister. I had gone early morning as I had to go for shooting. I reached at 6.45 am and found her sleeping downstairs outside, as there was no space in her sister's room for her to sleep. I woke her up and said, `Why are you sleeping here?' She got a bit embarrassed. But she took continuous care of her sister till she died and stayed in the hospital for full nine months. I don't feel anyone can do that today .
How do you de-stress emotionally?
I am not a very talkative person, so don't talk much. I can offload 30-40% to my wife. That's it. Otherwise, I deal with my stress myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)