Akshay Kumar on his new mission, the ‘inevitable’ clash with Aamir Khan in 2020 and why he has not felt the need to add his voice to his wife’s in the Unnao rape case
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 2, 2019)

When one meets Akshay Kumar at his sea-facing Juhu office, he’s in a Zen-like state despite the chaos around him as his film, Mission Mangal, gears up for an Independence Day release. Over aloo parathas, bhajiyas, paneer chilly toast and adrak chai, we talk about movies, social causes and books. Excerpts:

Why a film inspired by the 2014 Mangalyaan mission?
Well, this is the first film on a space mission and director Jagan Shakti has woven a story of five scientists from different parts of the country, coming from diverse cultures and backgrounds, into the real story. It amazes me how India succeeded in sending an orbiter to Mars at a cost of just Rs 450 crore, which is less than the budget of Rajinikanth’s 2.0. Scientists from other countries had failed despite having bigger budgets. It was a genius stroke by our Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO).

Jagan told us that he had met you with the idea of making Ikka, the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Kaththi. So, how did the two of you come to collaborate on Mission Mangal?
It just happened, he sketched out the story to me as I was leaving for a shoot of Kesari. I was bowled over but wondered how he would make it. We don’t make science films and this one was about a space mission. But I liked it enough to tell him, “We’ll make it.” He began writing it with (R) Balki sir. Then, Vidya (Balan), Sonakshi (Sinha), Taapsee (Pannu) and others came on board and we wrapped up the film in 32 days. When a film finishes without issues and negativity, it’s good karma.

It’s interesting that you are spearheading a film that promotes the message of women empowerment in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
The message of the film is that women are not just equal but better and more powerful than men. When Mangalyaan happened, my wife (Twinkle Khanna) had written that it was called MOM (Mars Orbiter Mission) for a reason. Had it been called DAD, it would still be on earth. I used that line in the film too and want parents to watch it with their children.

Because some think certain jobs can only be done by men. Sadly, many of our text books feature comparatively lesser women and it’s time to break this stereotype. Our Finance Minister who was the Defence Minister earlier, is a lady, Nirmala Sitharaman.

You’ve been actively commenting on the social media on issues like sanitation, corruption, crimes against women, martyred jawans, farmers and even the Kaziranga National Park after Assam floods. So why are you silent on the Unnao rape when your wife has been vocal on the subject?
I speak when I feel the need to express myself. And it’s not only about tweeting and speaking but doing something for a cause I believe in. My films like Toilet - Ek Prem Katha and Pad Man are also a medium to express myself even if they bring in less investment than a Rowdy Rathore or Singh Is Kinng sequel from the distributors. I’m not blaming anyone, people are here to do business. If I can donate for a cause, I will. If I can address an issue through a film, I will do that too.

You’ve had an interesting journey, ever thought of penning your autobiography?
Arre, nahin yaar! Autobiographies are for those who have achievements to write home about. I’ve only done some small films, maybe if I do something big… But before that, if I retire, I definitely won’t because then panne khaali rakhenge kya?

You recently announced Bachchan Pandey, the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Veeram which will open in Christmas 2020 setting up a clash with Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha.
We have 52 Fridays in a year and even fewer holiday weekends. We make over 200 Hindi films a year while Hollywood releases 40 more and then there’s the South industry and other regional cinema. So, we should be happy if we have two big releases in a week. This year, on the Independence Day weekend we had three, (Mission Mangal, Batla House, and Saaho) till one bowed out.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 14, 2019)

A decade after their acclaimed pairing in the comic-drama 3 Idiots (2009), Kareena Kapoor Khan and Aamir Khan are apparently set to join forces again for the latter's passion project, Lal Singh Chaddha. The Hindi remake of Tom Hanks 1994 hit Forrest Gump, we're told, will see Kareena Kapoor Khan play his love interest.

A source says, "The chemistry between the characters must be effortless. Aamir wants Kareena to play the part. She is in London till August, shooting for Angrezi Medium. She will make a pit stop in Mumbai next month for her TV commitments. The final call on the casting will be taken then."

Director Advait Chandan's offering goes on floors in October ahead of the shooting of Karan Johar's Takht, also featuring Kapoor.

Enabling Aamir Khan to shave off 20 kilos for Lal Singh Chaddha, nutritionist Dhurandhar on picking a vegetarian meal plan for superstar
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 28, 2019)

Inarguably the only one among the current crop of superstars to have repeatedly and unabashedly given body transformational roles a green light, Aamir Khan is set to whip himself into shape yet again for Lal Singh Chaddha. The desi remake of Tom Hanks-starrer Forrest Gump, mid-day learns, will see Khan shave off 20 kilos under the guidance of nutritional biochemist, Dr Nikhil Dhurandhar.

During Dhurandhar's book launch in the city yesterday, Khan revealed, "I play a young man in the movie, so I need to lose 20 kilos. I have already lost three-and-a-half kilos in two weeks under the guidance of Dr Dhurandhar." The actor is currently following a vegetarian diet.

From playing an ageing father and former wrestler in Dangal (2016), to a pirate in Thugs Of Hindostan (2018), Khan has been feeding hungry cinephiles with an assortment of creative roles over the years. His physicality, attained under the guidance of Dr Dhurandhar during these films, must also do justice to his act.

The dietician tells mid-day, "A diet doesn't only focus on calories, but also caters to other aspects and requirements. For Dangal, he wanted to retain his muscle [mass while losing weight]. But now, he doesn't want to gain muscle for this film. So, the protein intake is different as well." It is this variation in the demand of his characters that had Dhurandhar put Khan on a vegan diet during Dangal, and a vegetarian one now.

"I have to ask Aamir what kind of food he likes, and then plan his chart. It is a personalised chart which is dictated by the person's lifestyle. Aamir likes foods like daal, sabzi and roti when in India. Since he's on a vegetarian diet, I recommend that he has protein supplements now," says the nutritionist. Khan seconds his opinion, stating that his diet is also altered when travelling abroad on vacations. "I may not be able to access the same foods that I can in India, or have them measured before they are cooked. So, he gives me a diet which is easier to follow when I am travelling."