I may turn director too in few years: Akshay Kumar

He had written “Namastey London”, turned producer with his Hari Om Productions and has of course acted in umpteen actioners and comedies. Now Bollywood star Akshay Kumar says he may wield the megaphone as well after a few years.

“I wrote ‘Namastey London’ I had given the concept of ‘Waqt -- The Race Against Time’ I don’t sit and write a story. I meet people and if their stories touch me, I try putting them on the big screen. In ‘Namastey London’, the character is real. He is a friend of mine from Jalandhar. It happened to him,” Akshay told IANS in an interview.

Talking about his directorial plans, he said: “As of now, no. But you never know. Three years back, if you would have asked me whether I will produce a film, I would have said no. But then I became a producer...anything can happen in this industry. After three-four years, I might direct a film as well.”

Akshay’s next film “Housefull” releases Friday and director Sajid Khan presents him as “the world’s unluckiest guy”. But the actor says he has been quite lucky in real life.

“I have been lucky with my life. I made a good career. I didn’t have any godfather in the industry. Whatever I have achieved in life is because of my luck and a little bit of hard work,” Akshay told IANS.

“I am playing a very unlucky man in the film. He believes his luck will change when he finds true love and gets married. So he starts searching for the right girl. It’s total entertainment,” the actor said.

Shot in Britain, Italy, Hong Kong and India, the film also stars Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Jiah Khan, Arjun Rampal and Riteish Deshmukh. Akshay says he’s never given a thought to why most comedies are multi-starrers.

“I never sat down to analyse why it’s like that, but a lot of people want two, three actors together when they make comedies. Nowadays when you are doing a comedy, you are not a hero, you become a character. That’s the best part about doing a comedy. You have to act not only as a hero but also as a comedian and as an entertainer. There may be more points in it, so they choose to make it a multi-starrer,” said Akshay.

From his first film “Saugandh” (1991) to “Housefull”, Akshay has come a long way and in his almost two decades-long journey he has tried every genre, but feels he still has cope to explore.

“There are a few genres, which people can actually do. But these genres, be it comedy or tragedy, are so vast that more you explore it, you realise there is something you have yet to do. Comedy has different angles, romance has different angles; so it’s never ending. I would like to do a horror comedy,” said Akshay.

He is known for doing all stunts himself. Asked if he ever felt scared, he said: “I fear doing every stunt. I think one should fear because then you take double care of your safety. There is a good fear and a bad fear. There is a good fear with me, which tells me to do the stunts but safely.”

Akki is Twinkle’s real life hero

Akshay Kumar came to wife Twinkle Khanna’s rescue recently. Twinkle, who was in Milan for a shopping trip, was stranded there due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland as her flight was cancelled. A distressed Twinkle promptly turned to hubby Akshay for help.

Akshay, who was in Vancouver for the shoot of Anees Bazmee’s Thank You, ran from pillar to post to make sure that she reached Mumbai safely. He promptly made arrangements for five connecting flights that ensured Twinkle landed in Mumbai safely,” said our source.

No romance for Akki in Thank You

No romance for Akki in Thank You

Akshay Kumar, who boasts of romancing three leading ladies — Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan — in Sajid Khan’s Housefull —interestingly, has no actress opposite him in Anees Bazmee’s Thank You.

A source said, “This is something that is going to take everybody by surprise. Besides Akki, Thank You stars Bobby Deol, Suniel Shetty, Irrfan, Sonam Kapoor, Celina Jaitley and Rimmi Sen. Sonam has been paired with Bobby, while Celina Jaitley and Rimmi Sen will be seen opposite Suniel Shetty and Irrfan respectively. That leaves Akshay with no romantic interest.”

However, according to sources, in the climax, a top leading lady will make an entry to romance Akki. And buzz has it that Katrina Kaif has been roped in for the cameo.

Not too long ago, Katrina Kaif was all set to play the lead in Thank You but had to opt out because of date problems.

No romance for Akki in Thank You

Akshay Kumar, who boasts of romancing three leading ladies — Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan — in Sajid Khan’s Housefull —interestingly, has no actress opposite him in Anees Bazmee’s Thank You.

A source said, “This is something that is going to take everybody by surprise. Besides Akki, Thank You stars Bobby Deol, Suniel Shetty, Irrfan, Sonam Kapoor, Celina Jaitley and Rimmi Sen. Sonam has been paired with Bobby, while Celina Jaitley and Rimmi Sen will be seen opposite Suniel Shetty and Irrfan respectively. That leaves Akshay with no romantic interest.”

However, according to sources, in the climax, a top leading lady will make an entry to romance Akki. And buzz has it that Katrina Kaif has been roped in for the cameo.

Not too long ago, Katrina Kaif was all set to play the lead in Thank You but had to opt out because of date problems.

Katrina collapses during shooting

Katrina Kaif collapsed on the sets of Farah Khan’s ‘Tees Maar Khan’ while shooting at Malshej Ghat, about 100 km away from here.

Co-star Akshay Kumar flew in a doctor from city-based Breach Candy Hospital in his private chopper since the medical facilities in Malshej were below par.

The doctor listed over exertion, lack of sleep and her constant low blood pressure as causes of the collapse.

Her spokesperson confirmed the incident. “Katrina was unwell on Wednesday morning. She has been advised some rest. Of late, she has been going through tremendous work stress, travelling in and out of Mumbai.”

According to sources on the sets, “Katrina has been shooting non-stop for her films and commercials. The constant travel is taking a toll on her health. Katrina’s plate is so full this year that she hasn’t had enough time to recuperate.”

“After getting her hair and make up done she arrived on the sets and just fainted,” sources said.

However, a few hours post her medical check up; Katrina was back in action and continued to shoot for an important scene in spite of director Farah Khan advising her to take the day off.

“Katrina didn’t want to inconvenience the cast and crew and decided to continue shooting. There have been several cases in the past when she has kept her professional commitments despite being ill,” they said.

Will Abhishek replace Akki?

Buzz has it that Abhishek Bachchan has replaced Akshay Kumar in Shaadi Ke Side Effects to be produced by Pritish Nandy Communications.

PNC wanted Akshay on board and had approached the actor recently as they thought his comic timing makes him apt for the role. It is however said that Akki demanded an astronomical fee for the film and the deal soon fell through. The filmmakers have reportedly approached Abhishek in a hope to crack the deal with him now. When contacted PNC’s officials denied the rumours.