Tees Maar Khan a masala hamming madness: Akshay

If one thought that Akshay Kumar would be going through nervous bouts or would be over excited about his newest release Tees Maar Khan, that is not really the case at all. Cool, calm and composed, Akshay is not quite going gaga even though the release of this Farah Khan directed film holds a special place in his heart. Also, while there are massive speculations in the trade about Tees Maar Khan taking an all time biggest opening ever, Akshay is still not willing to jump the gun. Instead he is adopting a wait and watch approach and is only expecting audience to be thoroughly entertained with this fun film which pairs him opposite entire nation's 'Sheila' - Katrina Kaif. Our correspondent catches up with the man for whom Tees Maar Khan is pretty much a return to a mad masala outing after Housefull, Khatta Meetha and Action Replayy.

Tees Maar Khan is your first full-fledged masala film after a really long time. Were you too missing that genre for a while now?
Come on, you make it sound like I have been doing 'art' films all through the year (winks). You are right in saying though that Tees Maar Khan is a 'Masala Hamming Madness' to be honest. That's the reason why I loved every day that I was making this film and it shows. You can tell my love for the character of Tees Maar Khan. Plus the music of this film is constantly playing in my car. My family is so excited about seeing the film. This movie has literally put a permanent smile on my face; something that no one can remove no matter what the outcome may be. I love my job first, way before what successes it can bring me.

You and Farah are known for being lovers of masala films. Did that too play a major role in a bonding being developed between the two of you?
Most definitely! We are more like people pleasers rather than award seekers. That is what we both believe in and hence the mutual bond that we share. Farah has a very good eye for making her imagination turn into a reality. She can create what only you and I dream of. This is the reason why the masses love her. She connects with them because she understands them. She is not selfish when she makes movies; everything she does is to please an average eye. Our aim is to entertain rather than hear people complain.

Yes, people did complain in case of Action Replayy.
The thing is that I totally understand why that happened and in all honesty, a huge part of me felt that people wouldn't like my look in this film. Most people want to see a Hero when they go to the cinema and I don't blame them.

It must be ironic though that Action Replayy was one film which got you maximum critical acclaim this year but didn't see much for it commercially.
I know. I was finally given four stars by one of Mumbai's finest journalists but the audience wasn't interested (sighs). Action Replayy was a lovely story but not all stories get remembered. Vipul (Shah) is a brilliant director and my faith in him and his work still stands strong, as does his in mine.

Meanwhile you seem to be going ahead full steam in 2011 as well, what with Patiala House, Thank You, Joker and Desi Boyz to release one after another.
Yeah! If all goes according to plans, I should have four releases lined up for next year. Busy as always but totally worth it (smiles). I have an array of characters for all in 2011 and all I can pray for is your love and support not only for me but for our industry.

In fact that's already happening, now that Tees Maar Khan is releasing. While everyone is waiting with bated breath to see how far does it go, trade pundits have declared that the film would open even better than Dabangg and hence turn out to be the biggest opener ever in the history of Bollywood. You believe in such declarations?
You are most definitely asking the wrong actor! I would never sit here & say 'My movie is going to rock; it's going to have the biggest opening ever' and all that jazz. I am way too experienced or should I say 'not stupid enough' to toot my own horn or my movie like that. Expectations are the stomach bug of all movies. Tees Maar Khan is what it is and I pray that people love it for its entertainment quotient. It sure isn't an Avatar but it's a 'Con comedy' for sure.