Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Akshay

By: Arya Aiyappan

The Bollywood 'Khiladi Kumar', Akshay Kumar's magnetic screen presence coupled with his hysterics leaves everyone in a trance. The 'Indian Bruce Lee' through his action roles has built up a strong screen image of an invincible hero.... the khiladi of this Kaliyug who seeks to redress grievances. As a matured actor Akshay is slowly weaning himself away from the cocooned image of an action hero and exploring new fields of experience by taking up challenging roles.

Akshay aka Rajiv Hari Om-Bhatia was born on 9th September 1967. Before his foray into films Akshay Kumar worked as a chef in Bangkok and also carried out martial art training in Hong Kong. It was sheer luck, which helped him to enter the tinsel ville through his debut film Saugandh (1991). Initially Akshay performed an array of action-oriented roles in films such as Mohra (1994), Elaan (1994), Ashaant (1993), the Khiladi series etc. However he has also portrayed a variety of romantic roles - Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dhadkan (2000) or Andaaz (2003).

Even though the tag of an action hero weighs him down Akshay has extended his boundaries by portraying serious roles [Ek Rishta (2001), Bewafaa (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005)] and comic roles [Hera Pheri (2000) Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006)] to perfection in various films. According to Akshay, films like Sangarsh, Janwar, Dhadkan, and Ajnabee have unearthed his acting capabilities.

On a personal note Akshay (Akki) has been linked to some of the most sought after heroines (Pooja Batra, Raveena Tandon, Rekha, Shilpa Shetty and Priyanka Chopra) with whom he shared the screen space. Putting an end to speculations, Akshay eventually married Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of the star couple Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia on January 14, 2001. A son by name Araav was born to them on September 15, 2002. Akshay has a younger sister who is married and settled.

An ardent fan of Jackie Chan, Akki featured in many ads and is the first Indian actor to be given a four-film-deal with Adlabs company. Akshay a black belt holder in martial arts believes in living life to its fullest by indulging in high-spirited activities like Volleyball, Cricket, Martial Arts, Sailing, etc. With Keshu Ramsay as his mentor, guide and godfather Akshay has always been back on path whenever he went astray. Akshay's current release Jaaneman with Salman Khan and Preity Zinta is gaining much applause so also his rendering of the nerd astronaut in the film by experimenting with his looks as well as the character depiction.

Akshay Kumar, an actor with a charismatic appeal has come a long way from his action-hero image to a versatile actor whose exhilarating dance steps and stunt skills have captivated the audience leaving them mesmerized.

Filmography: 1. Hey Baby (2007) (announced)
2. Saamna (2007) (announced)
3. Untitled Soham Shah Project (2006) (pre-production) (in negotiations)
4. Rahgeer (2006) (pre-production)
5. Namaste, London (2007) (filming)
6. Welcome (2006) (filming)
7. Bhagam Bhag (2006) (completed)
8. Jaan-E-Mann (2006) ... aka Beloved (International: English title)
... aka Heartthrob (USA)
9. Phir Hera Pheri (2006) ... aka Hera Pheri 2 (India: Hindi title)
10. Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)
11. Mere Jeevan Saathi (2006) ... aka Suneel Darshan's Mere Jeevan Saathi (India: Hindi title: complete title)
12. Family: Ties of Blood (2006)
13. Dosti: Friends Forever (2005)
14. Deewane Huye Paagal (2005)
15. Garam Masala (2005)
16. Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005)
17. Bewafaa (2005)
18. Insaan (2005)
19. Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004)
20. Aitraaz (2004)
21. Hatya: The Murder (2004)
22. Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
23. Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin (2004)
24. Aan: Men at Work (2004) ... aka Aan (India: Hindi title: short title)
25. Police Force: An Inside Story (2004)