"I am not running a race" - Akshay Kumar

Despite negative reviews and some malicious campaign against the film, Kambakkht Ishq has turned out to be a box office success. It may not have gone ahead and re-written records as was the case with Singh Is Kinng or Welcome but the fact remains that Akshay Kumar has managed to get his audiences back. While he is already looking forward to the release of De Dana Dhan, Blue and Action Replay, he is currently busy with a non-stop two month shooting schedule for Sajid Khan's Housefull.

Talking to us from London, where he is currently stationed, Akshay Kumar talks about how he is comfortable working in multiple films and why, in spite of bringing in huge moolah into the industry during last five years, he still finds the entire Number 1 game quite amusing.

Your strength seems to be the fact that you complete your films in quick time, hence doing 3-4 films a year. That in some very good ways is a very good preposition for your producers as well, right? This way they can release their film in quick time, isn't it?
Yes! I am quite fine working on multiple films a year since most of them are shot in a start to finish schedule. We all work very fast on my films. And that way, I get to take a holiday every six months with my family as well! So, it all works out quite well in the end.

For how long do you wish to continue operating in the same mode? Don't you feel like taking a breather somewhere?
I can run faster than anyone else on the treadmill. Where is the time for a breather?

One look at your filmography over last five years and it is crystal clear that you have brought in maximum money inflow. Isn't that a testimony to the fact that a couple of flops here and there haven't quite impacted your box office stand?
The collections are out there for all to see. I have always believed in letting box-office to speak .When figures talk, what's the point of anyone else talking? Rest is just noise.

From Mujhse Shaadi Karogi to Bhagam Bhag to Welcome to Singh Is Kinng to your recent release Kambakkht Ishq, your films have netted as astonishing sum close to Rs. 600 crores just from India. Were you aware about such huge numbers? Now that's HUGE by any standards.
Thanks for the compliment. My producers are aware of all these numbers and that's why they repeat me film after film. That's hope for me!

In the same period, Shahrukh, Aamir, Salman and Hrithik have brought in far lesser money. Any comments?
Please don't create a controversy here .We are all here to work, I am not running a race.

Akshay, you have been shying away from the battle for top position. However, isn't #1 actor, the one who delivers consistently, brings in maximum moolah at the box office, is termed reliable and has a following in India as well as overseas? In that sense, don't you actually fit in the bill?
That's for you guys to decide. I am just doing my work. I shy away from the number game. Numbers are for calendar not for superstars. When I read about, who is Number One and Number Two, it amuses me. I feel like, we are still in school and anxiously waiting for our report cards. Haven't we grown up since then?

But industry is all about the Numbers game, isn't it?
Come on guys; don't make it sound like we are in a class room. If some want to fall prey to it, it's their problem. I firmly believe that I still have a long way to go. It's very lovely at the top and honestly I don't want to be lonely, I am happy the way I am. I am number one for my family and fans and that's enough.