Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar (Hindi: अक्षय कुमार; born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia on 9 September 1967) is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in over 90 Hindi films.

During the 1990s, Kumar was primarily described as the action hero of Bollywood,[1] starring in hit action films such as Khiladi (1992), Mohra (1994) and Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), and being particularly known for his "Khiladi Series". However, he was also recognised for his performances in romantic films like Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Dhadkan (2000) as well as dramatic films such as Ek Rishtaa (2001).

In 2002, he won his first Filmfare Award in the Best Villain category, for his performance in Ajnabee (2001). Willing to change his intransigent image, Kumar later ventured mostly into comedy films.[1] His comic performances in films such as Hera Pheri (2000), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005) met with critical acclaim. His success further rose in 2007, when he starred in four consecutive commercial hits. Having done so, he has established himself as one of the prominent actors of the Hindi film industry.[2][3][4] In 2008, the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Law on Kumar in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema. In 2009, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India
Early life
Akshay Kumar was born in Amritsar, Punjab [6] to a Punjabi family. His father was a government employee. From a very young age, he was recognised as a performer, particularly as a dancer. Kumar was raised in Delhi's Chandni Chowk neighbourhood before moving to Mumbai.[7] In Mumbai, he lived in Koliwada, which was another Punjabi dominated area.[7] He studied at Don Bosco School and then Khalsa College, where he participated in sports with Janpal Singh.[7]

He studied martial arts in Bangkok and worked as a chef. He then came back to Mumbai, where he started teaching martial arts. One of his students happened to be a photographer and recommended him to do modelling. The student gave him a modelling assignment for a small company. For his two hours posing in front of the camera, he got Rs. 5,000, compared to his previous salary of Rs. 4,000 in one month. That was one of the main reasons why he chose to be a model. After a couple of months of modelling, Kumar was finally offered a lead role by producer Pramod Chakravarthy for the movie Deedar.[7]

[edit] Career
[edit] 1990s
Kumar made his Bollywood acting debut with the 1991 film Saugandh, which was unnoticed. His first major success was the 1992 thriller film Khiladi. 1993 saw a drop as many of his films failed to do well. However, 1994 proved to be a good year for Kumar as he followed up his success with Khiladi with the action films Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Mohra which were among the highest grossing films of the year.[8] Later that year, Yash Chopra signed him for the romantic film Yeh Dillagi which was also a success.[8] He received appreciation for his performance in this film, where he played a romantic role which was different compared to his action roles. He would consequently receive his first nominations for Best Actor award at the Filmfare and Star Screen ceremonies. During the same year, Kumar also had success with films like Suhaag and the low budget action film Elaan. All these achievements, promoted Kumar as one of the most successful actors of that year.[9]

In 1995, along with his share of unsuccessful movies, he starred in the third film in his Khiladi series Sabse Bada Khiladi, which was a hit.[10] He proved to have success with the Khiladi series, as in the next year he starred in the fourth successful film with Khiladi in the title, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi opposite Rekha and Raveena Tandon. The film became one of the highest grossing films of the year.[11]

In 1997, Kumar was seen in a supporting role in Yash Chopra's hit film Dil To Pagal Hai, for which he received a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award nomination. In the same year, he attempted a comedy role with the fifth film in the Khiladi series, Mr and Mrs Khiladi. Unlike his previous films with Khiladi in the title, the film failed commercially.[12] In the same way as this film, his next Khiladi releases in the following years went on to fail at the box office. In 1999, Kumar received critical acclaim for his roles in the films Sangharsh and Jaanwar. Whilst the former did not make a profit at the box office, the latter turned out to be a success.[13]

[edit] 2000s
In 2000 he starred in the comedy Hera Pheri (2000) which was both a critical and commercial success,[14] and showcased his ability at doing comedy just as he did action and romantic roles. He also starred in the romantic film Dhadkan later that same year which also earned reasonable takings at the box office.[14] In 2001, Kumar played a negative role in the film Ajnabee. The film won him much acclaim as well as his first Filmfare Award for Best Villain. Kumar also had critical appreciation for his role as a blind man in Aankhen which was a box office success of that year.

Following the success of Hera Pheri, Kumar starred in a number of comedy films, including Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Garam Masala (2005). The films succeeded at the box office, and his performance in the latter earned him his second Filmfare Award, for Best Comedian.[15][16]

Apart from his action, comedy and romantic roles, Kumar displayed a flair for dramatic roles in films such as Ek Rishtaa (2001), Aankhen (2002), Bewafaa (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005).

In 2006 he starred in a sequel to Hera Pheri titled Phir Hera Pheri. As was the former, the sequel became a huge success at the box office.[17] Later that year he starred alongside Salman Khan in the romantic musical Jaan-E-Mann. The film was a well anticipated release, and despite receiving positive reviews from critics, did not do as well as expected at the box office.[17] Though the film under-performed, his role as a shy, lovable nerd was praised.[18] He ended the year with the comedy Bhagam Bhag, which was a success.[17] In that same year, he led the Heat 2006 world tour along with fellow stars Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and Celina Jaitley.[19]

2007 proved to be Kumar's most successful year during his career in the industry, and as described by box office analysts, "probably the best ever recorded by an actor, with four outright hits and no flops."[2] His first release, Namastey London, was critically and commercially successful, and his performance earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare. Critic Taran Adarsh wrote of his performance in the film, "he's sure to win the hearts of millions of moviegoers with a terrific portrayal in this film."[20] His next two releases, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, were box office successes as well.[21][22] Kumar's last release of the year, Welcome, did extremely well at the box office, receiving a blockbuster status and simultaneously becoming his fifth successive hit.[23] All of Kumar's films which released that year did well in the overseas market as well.[24]

Kumar's first film of 2008, Tashan, marked his comeback to the Yash Raj Films banner after 11 years. Although much anticipated by the public,[25] the film was a critical and commercial failure. His second film, Singh Is Kinng was a huge success at the box office and broke the first-week worldwide record of Om Shanti Om, the previous highest figure.[26] His next film was the animated film Jumbo. The year also saw Kumar making his small screen debut as the host of the successful show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi. He later returned to host the show's second season in 2009.

In 2009, Kumar featured opposite Deepika Padukone in the Warner Bros.-Rohan Sippy production Chandni Chowk to China. Directed by Nikhil Advani, the film was a critical and commercial failure at the box office.[27] Kumar's next release was 8 x 10 Tasveer. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the film was a critical and commercial failure. His next release Kambakkht Ishq was declared as an above average success at the box-office. Kumar's film Blue was released on 16 October 2009. Blue collected about Rs. 42 crores at the box-office and was declared as average. His last release of 2009 was Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan, which was declared as an above average success.

He then appeared in the 2010 comedy House Full. Directed by Sajid Khan, the film went on to become a box office success.

Personal life

He earlier dated Shilpa Shetty and Raveena Tandon. After being engaged twice to actress Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of veteran actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, he finally married her on 14 January 2001. Their son named Aarav was born on 15 September 2002.

In 2007, a leading Mumbai tabloid newspaper printed a story saying that Kumar and his wife had fallen out and Kumar had moved out of his home, staying at a hotel instead.[28] On 26 July 2007 the couple sent a legal notice to the tabloid, declaring that the rumour was false. Kumar said:

“ The article is a clear representation of careless and irresponsible journalism. The freedom of press comes with responsibilities, which seems to have been put aside to give way to shock value journalism.[29] ”

An FIR was registered by the Vakola Police on April 2009 against Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code for an act during the Lakme Fashion Week in which Khanna unbuttoned the jeans of Kumar.

Filmography
Year Film Role Other notes
1991 Saugandh Shiva
1992 Dancer Raja
Mr Bond Mr. Bond
Khiladi Raj Malhotra
Deedar Anand Malhotra
1993 Ashaant Vijay
Dil Ki Baazi Vijay
Kayda Kanoon Daud
Waqt Hamara Hai Vikas Sabkuchwala
Sainik Suraj Dutt
1994 Elaan Vishal Chaudhry
Yeh Dillagi Vijay Saigal Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Jai Kishen Jai Verma/Kishen
Mohra Amar Saxena
Main Khiladi Tu Anari Karan Joglekar
Ikke Pe Ikka Rajiv
Amaanat Amar
Suhaag Raj
Nazar Ke Samne Jai Kumar
Zakhmi Dil Jaidev Anand
Zaalim Ravi
Hum Hain Bemisaal Vijay Sinha
1995 Paandav Vijay
Maidan-E-Jung Karan
Sabse Bada Khiladi Vijay Kumar/Lallu
1996 Tu Chor Main Sipahi Amar Varma
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Akshay Malhotra
Sapoot Prem
1997 Lahoo Ke Do Rang Sikandar Davai
Insaaf: The Final Justice Vikram
Daava Arjun
Tarazu Inspector Ram Yadav
Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi Raja
Dil To Pagal Hai Ajay Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Aflatoon Rocky/Raja
1998 Keemat: They Are Back Dev
Angaaray Amar
Barood Jai Sharma
1999 Aarzoo Vijay Khanna
International Khiladi Rahul "Devraj"
Zulmi Raj
Sangharsh Professor Aman Varma
Jaanwar Badshah/Babu Lohaar
2000 Hera Pheri Raju
Dhadkan Ram
Khiladi 420 Dev Kumar/Anand Kumar
2001 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love Ajay Kapoor
Ajnabee Vikram Bajaj Winner, Filmfare Best Villain Award
2002 Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Raj Malhotra
Aankhen Vishwas Prajapati
Awara Paagal Deewana Guru Gulab Khatri
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Atul tutul carpool
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins... Arjun
Andaaz Raj Malhotra
2004 Ghar Grihasti Special appearance
Khakee Sr. Inspector Shekhar Verma Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Police Force: An Inside Story Vijay Singh
Aan: Men at Work DCP Hari Om Patnaik
Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin Inspector Ajay
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Arun "Sunny" Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Nominated, Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Hatya: The Murder Ravi
Aitraaz Raj Malhotra
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Major Rajeev
2005 Insan Amjad
Bewafaa Raja
Waqt: The Race Against Time Aditiya Thakur
Garam Masala Makrand "Mac" Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Deewane Huye Paagal Rocky Hiranandani
Dosti: Friends Forever Raj Malhotra
2006 Family - Ties of Blood Shekhar Bhatia
Mere Jeevan Saathi Vicky
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye Aditiya Malhotra
Phir Hera Pheri Raju
Jaan-E-Mann Agastya Rao "Champu"
Bhagam Bhag Bunty
2007 Namastey London Arjun Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Heyy Babyy Arush Mehra
Bhool Bhulaiyaa Dr. Aditiya Shrivastav
Om Shanti Om Himself Special appearance
Welcome Rajiv Saini
2008 Tashan Bachchan Pande
Singh Is Kinng Happy Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Nominated, Asian Film Award for Best Actor
Jumbo Jumbo (voice) Voice over for first animated film
2009 Chandni Chowk to China Sidhu Sharma
8 X 10 Tasveer Jai Puri/Jeet
Kambakkht Ishq Viraj Shergill
Blue Aarav Malhotra
De Dana Dan Nitin Bankar
2010 Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai Himself Cameo appearance
House Full Aarush
Helloo India Post-production
Action Replay Post-production
Khatta Meetha Sachin Tichkule Post-production
Patiala House Gattu Singh Kahlon Filming
Tees Maar Khan Tabrez Mirza Khan Filming
2011 Thank You Pre-production
Komagata Maru Gurdit Singh Announced