It has been a great journey (of 25 yrs): Akshay Kumar

You have become one of the most envied actors in Bollywood, as every film you do goes on to become a hit.
 

(Ha..ha..ha). No, no I don’t think anyone envies me. The industry is a big happy family and we all appreciate each other’s efforts. It’s just that my films are working well at the box office. I am trying out new subjects and the audiences too want something new. Maybe, that’s the reason the films are doing good.

Your last film Baby was a hit and now a lot of expectations are building around the release of Gabbar is Back.

Baby was indeed a very good film. It was a subject that wasn’t tried earlier. I think Neeraj Pandey (director) is one of the most intelligent filmmakers we have today, who does a lot of research before making a film. Baby was a very edgy film and the story line was very tight. Such films always tend to keep the audience engaged because they enjoy it. Gabbar is Back too is a very different kind of film. You must have got an idea after watching the trailers and the dialogues. So, I am sure this film too will strike a chord with the audience.

The film’s title derives its name from an iconic screen villain.

Yes, Gabbar is certainly one of the most iconic names in Indian cinema. I think the name itself has raised quite a few questions like how can a hero have a villain’s name and if I am the hero or the villain. The idea was to find a true hero in the name of a villain. The catch line of the film says everything: Naam Villain ka aur kaam hero ka. The story is about how a man fights corruption and for that he needs to be not only aggressive but also ferocious. Corruption is a big problem and the story though looks simple deals with a very important and delicate issue.

You also sport a bearded look in the film.

(Smiles) That was one of the first briefings I was given before shooting. See, we all are well aware of the image of Gabbar. He was rough and tough and had a very rugged look. So, I had to sport a beard and I also had to put on 15 kilos because when the character is named Gabbar it couldn’t have looked like a clean-shaven and well-groomed man.

There was a phase, when you mostly did action films and then you shifted to comedy and now you have started doing a lot of action films.

It’s not that all the films I am doing now are action. There are films, which I am doing that deal with serious issues. There came a time when I was doing a lot of comedies because I became a bit responsible in my personal life. I used to do a lot of action. I used to do some really very dangerous stunts. I was quite reckless then. Then I got married and had my first kid and I decided that I should not be that reckless any more. I have a family and I have a responsibility towards them. Now, they have grown up to some extent and I have again started trying out action films.

You will also complete 25 years in the industry this year.

(Smiles) It has really been a great journey. I am happy with what I have done so far in my career. There have been ups and down and there have been some really great things that have happened to me. I didn’t have a background in films, so I had like many others the biggest challenge of establishing myself. I still believe that hard work pays. I did all kinds of films that came my way…good… bad… B-grade, C-grade everything. I had no other choice but to prove myself as an actor. Things slowly started getting changed and filmmakers started showing their faith in me. I am really thankful to every filmmaker and co-star, who believed in me and worked with me.

Do you regret doing those films?

No, not at all. I am being very honest. It was work for me. I knew I was being paid. Someone was showing his faith in me and I had to work hard to prove myself. So, I don’t have any regrets. In fact they helped me a lot. At times I was sure that a film won’t work even before it was complete. It happened so many times and then all of a sudden a film worked. I just believe in one thing and that is in honesty. Even if those were B-grade, C-grade films, I did my work honestly.

And today scripts are written keeping you in mind…

I think that is because I was honest to what I did. I was honest to myself, my directors and my producers. Hard work pays and today I am grateful to everyone who gave me work when I needed it most to prove myself.

So you are happy with whatever has happened to you.

I am more than happy. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.