Showing posts with label Akshay Kumar Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Akshay Kumar Interview. Show all posts
If films are entertaining, the impact of an issue is much larger - Akshay Kumar | Interview
From bringing us the story of India's first gold medal win at the Olympics to turning antagonist in a sci-fi film; there is no stopping Akshay Kumar! The actor has an interesting line up of films in 2018, and it all kickstarts with a heartwarming story that touches upon a topic that is often considered a taboo in several countries (including India, of course) - menstruation. The effervescent Kumar will be seen stepping into the shoes of Padma Shri Arnunachalam Muruganantham - the social entrepreneur from Coimbatore who is credited to generating mechanisms for creating awareness around menstrual hygiene - in the much awaited film Padman, which is all set to release tomorrow.
Kumar has been actively involved in social causes and philanthropic activities. Be it collecting funds for Bharat ke Veer or creating awareness around the use of toilets; the actor has rightly stood up for important causes and made good use of social media to voice his opinion. No wonder, his current campaign for Padman has been generating maximum buzz across all social media platforms, with friends from the industry, fans and the audience posing with a pad to lend their support to menstrual hygiene and ditching the taboo. In between a long day of promotions for his upcoming film, we caught up with Akshay Kumar. In a candid conversation, the actor discussed his journey so far, reinventing himself with every film, ideas to promote menstrual hygiene among women in rural areas and lots more. Excerpts from our rendezvous with the one and only 'Khiladi':
What was it about the script of Padman, which deals with the topic of Menstruation, that interested you the most?
I didn't know much about menstruation when I was growing up. My mother or sister never discussed it in front of me. I was 15 when I came to know about it. I had seen a sanitary pad, but never touched it, until the last one and a half year. I realised the depth of menstrual hygiene in our country only two years ago, when my wife explained the seriousness of this issue. Almost 82% women don't know how to maintain hygiene during their monthly cycle. They use mud, ash and leaves to stop the bleeding. They are excluded from many things in day to day life . They cannot enter kitchen or the temple. They are not allowed to touch anything and are asked to sit in a separate corner. In the South, they literally celebrate when a girl attains her puberty. She is given a lot of gifts which gives her the confidence that life is beautiful. Otherwise they will be ashamed of it. However, I feel the best thing about this is that men are talking about pads now. That was when I realised that we have to make a movie on this topic. We met Arunachal Muruganathan. I came to know how much he cared for his wife and he invented a machine by investing Rs.60,000 to make sanitary napkins.
How much change do you think will a film like Padman bring about globally, especially in the menstrual hygiene and care space?
Even Hollywood has not made a film on this topic. They made movies on condoms and sperms. It's like a global taboo subject. Many women them end up suffering from cervical cancer. Everything is so hush hush in our society. It's high time we speak about this openly. A day will come when daughters will ask their father to buy them a sanitary pad while returning home. This is a natural process which helps a woman give birth to a child. When I made Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, it brought about a change. It gave reasons to people as to why they should build a toilet for their mother or wives. Now, I did Padman and men are discussing about it on social platform. That itself is a victory for me. I don't care whether the film does well or not, what business it does. What matters is the fact that men are slowly and steadily opening up to discuss this topic now.
A day will come when daughters will ask their father to buy them a sanitary pad while returning home. This is a natural process which helps a woman give birth to a child
Any particular incident during the shoot that you can recall and share with our readers?
I was shooting with local actors. For two days, they shot with me very nicely and then there was a scene where they were asked to hold a sanitary pad in their hand. They didn't say anything and ran away from there. When we called for them, they said they will not hold a sanitary pad in their hands as it is a grave sin.
Do you feel that the government should abolish GST rates on sanitary napkins?
Sanitary pads are an important necessity in every country. In the future, I want it to be distributed free of cost. More and more women should be able to afford a pad. Today, close to 90% women are not able to afford it. We have to cater to them. Something like this will just be 2% of the defence budget. I never thought about tax free, because it should certainly be GST free.
Do you think films like these, especially the ones that deal with social causes, have the power to create a lasting impact on the audience?
A film does create an impact! I was always aware about this, but I didn't have enough money to make such films. So, when I had the money, I started making films. If it is supported by the government, it can create more impact. Just like Toilet... did. I hope they understand this film and take it forward. This is the need of our times. I have been meeting and talking to women in order to understand this issue. The biggest problem is when they are menstruating, they are surrounded by so much taboo and often don't maintain hygiene. The boys, mostly in rural areas, tease girls girls that they are on a 'five day test match', when they see their stained skirts.
In the future, I want sanitary pads to be distributed free of cost. More and more women should be able to afford a pad. Today, close to 90% women are not able to afford it
Any other issues you want to explore and tackle in your future films?
I am doing Housefull 4 next. I want to do different kinds of movie. I am not here to do only issue based films. I want to entertain people. I like to present such issues through entertainment. If the films are entertaining, the impact of an issue is much larger. For e.g: Toilet Ek Prem Katha helped create a lot of change in some rural areas. The government has done a lot for creating awareness around the use of toilets. Open Defecation was close to 66% before we made the film. Now, it is somewhere close to 33%. I get these stories when I meet different people. Like, I had been to Pune recently for Padman promotions. I met an interesting man and really liked his story. Someday, I will call him and make it into a film. Recently, someone asked me to do something on the dowry system of our country. These days instead of showing documentaries, they are showing my movies. These are issue based films, but done in a commercial space. I am not here to make a documentary film. I am making a film with song, dance, romance and fights.
Have you heard how much impact Padman has created now?
I recently came to know that NDSC is planning to install sanitary pad machine in all schools. Hopefully, all the women in our country will have pads and use them in the future. The Government will have to spend Rs 400 on every woman, and their problems will be solved. Changes will happen and this film is about a great future. Today, approximately 10-20% women can afford a sanitary napkin. In the future, rest of them should have it too. Also, invest in a machine where they can destroy it. Now, I am planning to have a menstrual kit for women at shootings. We always have a first aid kit at shoots. But, where's the menstrual kit? Where can she get medicines and sanitary pads in emergencies?
Do you think being a superstar creates more impact on such issues?
It does have an impact, but you have to do it seriously. I am playing a villain in my next film - 2.0 (Robot), but that does not mean that you have to turn negative in real life (laughs).
This is perhaps the first time a major Bollywood superstar is playing an antagonist in a film down South.
It is a pleasure being beaten up by Rajnikant (smiles). People have asked me, why I am playing a villain in Robot 2.0? My simple response is - why shouldn't I? Such a big franchise and working with Rajni Sir is a big achievement.
We always have a first aid kit at shoots. But, where's the menstrual kit? Where can she get medicines and sanitary pads in emergencies?
Do you think hard work and the right choice of scripts helped you in sustaining so long in this otherwise extremely competitive industry?
I had to reinvent myself every time. During the 90's, I did a lot of action. Film makers did not give me any other roles. Whenever an action film would come up, they would say give it give to him. I used to loathe myself for doing the same kind of roles. I started feeling that I was not capable of doing anything more than action. At that time, I did a film called Hera Pheri. I played a comic character and I didn't have a heroine opposite me in the film. From that day, I started testing my ground. Priyadarshan was kind enough to give me that role. I started experimenting and taking up different roles, which meant even doing a negative character like the one in Ajnabee. Later, I also did romantic roles in films like Dhadkan, Ek Rishta among others. It was way back then that I did a film with social subject in a movie titled Khatta Meetha, which was based on corruption in the road construction industry. Back then, that film didn't do well, but if I release it now, I am sure people would love it. There is a lot of corruption going on within the road construction space. The other day, I was travelling in my car and sitting in the back seat. A cop stopped us and told my driver to show our papers. He wanted to know if we had paid road tax. I poked my head and told the police man, "Show me where the road is?" He started laughing. Our roads are so bad!
While most actors prefer creating a rapport with the same film makers, you have always been open to working with new directors.
I enjoy doing films with new directors. I have worked with 22 new directors and close to 17 debutant heroines. I like to mould and merge myself with the film maker's vision, just like water. Whenever I listen to their narration, I see the greed in them to tell their story through the film. They are all charged. That is what I love about them (new directors). And, that is what an actor looks for. He wants creativity. My success ratio with new directors has been much better than any other film makers.
You have been known for your discipline on both the professional and personal front. When or how did you develop it?
My dad was in the Army. He was a wrestler, and later worked for the UNICEF. Hence, I have always been disciplined as a kid. He never stopped me from doing anything. I got so much freedom that I didn't feel like doing anything. When I was 18, he told me to smoke and drink at home, so that he can take care of me. It's like in school, when you are asked not to bunk, you feel you should try it and you enjoy bunking school. But, somehow you don't enjoy bunking college, because no one is bothered. So, I never got the habit. Today, you cannot force the kids of this generation to do anything. You have to explain everything nicely. Smoking and drinking is bad, but if you must, do it at home.
During the 90's, I did a lot of action. Film makers did not give me any other roles. Whenever an action film would come up, they would say give it give to him. I used to loathe myself for doing the same kind of roles
Will there ever be a biopic on Rajesh Khanna, or would you want to like to see a biopic based on your life in the future?
The family does not want a biopic. Their father is a father and they don't want to make a film on him. As far as a biopic on my life is concerned, I am not interested in making such a film.
You have completed 27 years in the industry, done more than 100+ films and received a National Award recently. How do you look back at your journey?
My journey is such that anybody would want to be in my shoes. I have been a lucky man. I have seen a lot of ups and downs, but it has been a lovely and enjoyable journey. I have no regrets. I am enjoying every bit now and earlier also. It has been fantastic.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
How will I know what I will be doing after ten years? (smiles) Well, I am running now, but the day I slow down, I will take a back seat.
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The Star Quotient Never Works For Any Film - Akshay Kumar | Exclusive Interview
The charming actor with a heart of gold, Akshay Kumar has been in the news for all the right reasons. He has an interesting line up of films and a packed schedule all the way up to 2018. This year too shall see the actor in 3 - 4 different avatars, ranging from a lawyer to a toilet owner and a sci-fi baddie. While he has been making all the right noises on the professional front, Kumar hasn't allowed his duty as an alert and responsible citizen to take a backseat. For someone who has been actively involved in social causes and philanthropic activities, the Khiladi rightly stood up for important causes and made good use of social media to voice his opinion. Although he shies away from talking about charity, the actor, who is also on the Forbes list of World's Highest Earning Celebrities, has always taken a step ahead to support social causes. Be it empowering the girl child or supporting drought hit farmers, Kumar has done it all. More power to him!
In between a long day of promotions for his upcoming film - Jolly LLB 2, which is now just two days away from release, we caught up with Akshay Kumar to discuss films, family and more. Excerpts from a candid conversation:
Your films usually release on national holidays. How come you opted for a date in February instead?
It is a strategic decision because two big films (Raees & Kaabil) had already released.
You are working with film maker Subhash Kapoor for the first time. What was your experience of working with him like?
He used to be a political journalist before turning into a film maker. Subhash is a very well read person. He has done a lot of research for this film. His language is very good and he also writes very well. I am confident that the audience will like this story. I feel the star quotient never works for any film. For me, the real hero of a film is the story. The audience today is very smart and they only want to watch a good story.
And what about Huma? You are paired with her for the first time as well.
She is very beautiful and also talented. In the film she is the man of the house. I make drinks for her and also cook for her. For Huma also this is a new genre. Off camera whenever we used chat with her she always tells me even she wants a husband like this in real life too!
For me, the real hero of a film is the story
Fan Questions
Jolly LLB 2 is a tale of lies and truth. It is almost like a chess game. The story revolves around many things. Not just corruption, but it has several other aspects of genres like thriller and murder mysteries. What excited about the role is the fact that this is the first time I am playing a lawyer. So, I am definitely looking forward to the film.
It's a new story and a new thing for me to do. It's a space where people have not seen me. In our country, we have 3.5 crore cases pending and only 21 thousand lawyers. So, there is a huge gap. Still, citizens of our country have immense respect towards our legal system. Even today, when two people fight on the road, they will tell each other - 'I will see you in the court'.
Jolly LLB 2 is a tale of lies and truth. It is almost like a chess game
You recently took to Twitter and condemned the Bengaluru mass molestation through a video, followed by another one dedicated to the Indian soldiers. These videos went viral within minutes. What are your thoughts on social media playing a key role in creating awareness today?
See, I have realised one thing. India has a huge population. So much, that it is impossible to change everything in just one go. It took years to pile up the garbage, so obviously, nothing can change in one day. What we can do is hope that people become sensitive and intelligent enough to understand this. I do my own work, by putting up small videos, where I ask people to think about our country. I never criticise them. When people think of their family and friends, so why not for their own country?
Go on...
That's why as an actor, I take a lot of initiatives. See, cleanliness is the main problem in our country right now. I feel ashamed when I see people spit on the road. They throw things on the road from an auto, cab or car. My house is at the beach, and around 3-4 years back, I literally used to ask people to clean the beach whenever they made it dirty. Now, if you see almost a kilometre on the left and right side of my house, you will see no garbage. My next film (Toilet: Ek Prem Katha) is also about that. It has a commercial side along with a strong message, and focuses a lot on cleanliness. And I am sure people do learn from all these aspects.
Cleanliness is the main problem in our country right now. I feel ashamed when I see people spit on the road
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| Image Credit: MW Magazine |
Both Twinkle and you have given 'relationship goals' a whole new meaning, and the two of you recently completed 16 years of marital bliss. What keeps your bond strong?
It's all about the friendship that we share. That's exactly what keeps us going. Whenever there is an outdoor shoot, I always feel the need to come back. The space is also very important for a couple.
And what about your kids? How do you bond with them?
Due to my hectic schedule, I don't get the chance to spend enough time. But, Twinkle does take care of the kids fully. When it comes to outdoor activities like swimming or martial arts, I am the one who takes them out (smile).
I enjoy challenges. That's why I have got something different in all my upcoming films
You have got a diverse range of films coming up, with unique characters and subjects.
I enjoy challenges. That's why I have got something different in all my upcoming films. Be it Toilet: Ek Prem Katha which takes inspiration from the Swacch Bharat initiative or Crack, which focuses on schizophrenia. Then there is 2.0 (Robot 2), where I play a completely negative character, Gold - which is a biopic, and Padman, for which I will start shooting soon. I like taking up characters that are different.
(with inputs by Priya Adivarekar)
You cannot achieve anything in this industry without hard work - Akshay Kumar | Exclusive Interview
Akshay Kumar is unstoppable, even after ruling the industry like a boss for more than two decades,. Unlike most actors, Akshay loves working on multiple films and the audience can't have enough of him either. While he started 2015 with a fabulous film like Baby, both Gabbar Is Back and Brothers earned him accolades for his performance. For someone who is not bothered by the box office collections of his films, Akshay's only aim is to entertain his audience with characters that are different from the ones that he has done in the past. In the same quest, Akshay has left Happy Singh from Singh Is King behind and has stepped into the shoes of Raftaar Singh in the upcoming Singh Is Bliing (and no, the two films are not related).
The first time I met Akshay sir was when I was all of 8, on the sets of a dance reality show (and when I narrated the story to him after our chat, he refused to believe that our picture together was almost 15 years old. He kept saying, "Both of us still look the same." Even then, I was quite inspired by his dedication and focus. The actor had made sure that all the props and necessary arrangements were made in time for his performance, and continued shooting till 4 am, till he got all his shots right. 2015 again gave me the chance to meet the Khiladi Kumar twice, but this time, as the creative director of Diary of a Dancebee. First, during Baby promotions, and now, in a between super long day for Singh Is Bliing promotions at a suburban luxury hotel. Dressed in simple casuals, Akshay walks in and settles down quickly, after a short chat (in Marathi) with his security team. "We started these interviews at 6 am and now, it is almost 5 pm. I start my day early, around 4 - 5 am, and sleep on time, around 9 - 10 pm. I always make sure that work does not interfere with my lifestyle," he said. Well, that just confirms, years come and go, but some things never change, and in the case of Akshay Kumar, it is his discipline. Apart from his films, the actor was recently in the news for his donation of 90 lacs for the farmer suicide cause in Maharashtra. But instead of talking about it, the actor chose to keep it low and stated, "I don't like talking about charity. It's a personal thing and everyone must help those in need." In a candid chat with Diary of a Dancebee, the actor talks about Singh Is Bliing, journey as an actor, the mathematics of cinema, memories of Ganesh Chaturthi, and his encounter with Mufasa - the lion!
You have always stated that comedy is your favourite genre and you are getting back to it with Singh Is Bliing. How excited are you?
To be honest, I am very excited, because since the last two - two and a half years, I have been doing a lot of serious stuff. These films aimed at spreading a message. But getting back to doing commercial cinema has been a great experience. Around the same time, I also got the opportunity to do Housefull 3, which we have started filming in London. Houseful 3 is all about going as wild as one can go. Post that, I will get back to some serious films again, so in a way, it is good to get a breather and feel relaxed in between serious projects. Doing different things always excites me.
But, do you think it can get stressful at times, especially while shifting from one character to another?
Not at all. Firstly, I am not the kind of an actor who will get all serious and behaves like the character 24x7. Its all fake! Let's be practical. As actors, we get fancy vanity vans with air conditioners, the best of food and comfort, bowl full of dry fruits, the best of female actors to work with (laughs), so it is not that taxing. Actually, whenever journalists hear an actor say something like this, you should just say to yourself - "Jhooth bol raha hain yeh" (laughs).
How does it feel to be among the first few actors who started the trend of mainstream heroes doing comic roles?
Actually, it was Bachchan sahab who started the trend and was the first one to do films like Desh Premee. He was the first actor who played the hero and his character had a comic touch. A lot like what Mehmood sahab and Kishore sahab used to do. Very few people did it, and I just followed them. It's great to do comedy, and it is absolutely difficult. But unfortunately, a comic hero is not getting his due in the industry, because we look down on them. Unless you are doing romance or tragedy. Its like, unless you don't cry or scream, you can't get the best actor award. If you are making people laugh, they look at it as buffoonery. I fail to understand this behaviour. Its absolutely ridiculous!
But unfortunately, a comic hero is not getting his due in the industry, because we look down on them. Unless you are doing romance or tragedy. Its like, unless you don't cry or scream, you can't get the best actor award.
While Baby and Gabbar Is Back performed well at the box office, Brothers, unfortunately, wasn't received that well. Did it leave you feeling disappointed?
I don't really see it as a failure. The film did average business, but I am very proud to do a film like this. Brothers was an emotional film, with one of the most amazing fight sequences ever witnessed on screen. Since the film was about mixed martial arts, it is and will always be very close to my heart. Through Brothers, I got a chance to introduce something new to the audience and I am definitely proud about it. There is no room for disappointment.
You are one of the few actors who do 3-4 films a year, with an average of one film per quarter. But, do you think it will help if there is a sufficient gap between your film releases?
While I know that my films are lined up once in every 3-4 months, I make sure that my character is different and I am offering something new to my audience. Plus, I ensure that it is made in a certain amount, because I am the producer in most cases. If you look at the mathematics, my films are made at a COP (cost of production) of 30 crores on an average. If you make a film for 5 rupees and earn 8, we are still earning a profit of 3 rupees. So, whatever the result, I am the one who will face it, whether profit or loss. I am happy, irrespective of my film's fate. You know, I recently met a light man, who joined his palms and said, "Sahab, main aapko thank you bolna chahta hoon. Aap inti saari filmien karte ho, toh hamare pass kaam rehta hain." Then, my make-up man told me that he earns the most in this industry. So, I don't see anything wrong in doing multiple films a year.
Are you planning to do any more films based on mixed martial arts (MMA)?
Not yet. But, if there is any suitable script, I would love to do it. Right now, I am focusing on my MMA tournament in Surat. I am looking forward to it and I am thankful, because the Chief Minister of Gujarat will be present. The idea is to take this tournament to every nook and corner of India. I want people to know that learning martial arts or any form of self defence is extremely important.
You are the only actor who loves experimenting with stunts and tries new action sequences in every film. So, is there anything unique that we will get to see you do in Singh is Bliing?
Absolutely! In this film, I shot an important sequence with a lion. His name was Mufasa. That is a big stunt in itself (laughs). Not that I am fighting with him, but this super hug lion is sitting in my car, right behind me. They got him and there was an incident which freaked me out. While shooting, he saw his own reflection in the windscreen and thought that there was another lion in front of him. He got angry and broke the windscreen. I just ran away. People were like, "Aap toh Khiladi ho. Woh kuch nahi karega," and I just said, "Bhai, hum Khiladi the. Main jaunga hi nahi. Woh maar dega or finally, film ke end mein mera photo aayega - Late Akshay Kumar - aisa like ke" (laughs). But it was an incredible experience. Such a good looking, loveable, full grown lion, that you will end up falling in love with him. But working with him was a risk, because if you hang around when he is not in the mood, aap toh gaye bhai.
Whatever the result of my films, I am the one who will face it, whether profit or loss. I am happy, irrespective of my film's fate.
Both you and Twinkle have a humorous side, which is poles apart.
Honestly, her humour in books and columns, even at the book launch, was not a surprise for me, because I get to see that everyday (laughs). If you compare our sense of humour, then she definitely has an edge. My humour is different. It is very Punjabi. Twinkle is very sharp and blunt. Even when it comes to the kind of humour used in my films, she has her own choices. She may like slapstick comedy sometimes, but it depends on how everything is presented.
With star kids and actors with godfathers making it big in the industry today, how do you see your journey of becoming a star without any support?
It would be wrong on my part to say that nobody makes it big on their own merit. Just because somebody is an actor's son, doesn't mean that he can become a star without working hard. You cannot survive in this industry without hard work. You can't achieve anything without it. There are many actors who are star kids and perhaps, they haven't worked hard. So, they couldn't make a mark at all.
Do you think there is a different between the content and kind of films that were made a decade back, when compared to the projects now?
Absolutely, and that is because the audience has changed. So, as long as the audience will keep changing, even the content will go through changes. The writers think according to what the people want nowadays. So, the supply will be according to what both the multiplex and single screen audience demands. I personally think that the changes will be drastic in the coming years. According to me, 2016 will be a golden period for the industry, due to some reasons which I feel will work for the industry. You can expect a lot of changes from October - November.
The country is celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with a lot of enthusiasm. What is your childhood memory of celebrating the festival like?
When I was staying in Bandra east, I used to have great fun and even dance on the roads. Then even when we shifted to Lokhandwala, there was a Ganpati in our building. I remember dancing like crazy and taking the idol to Versova for immersion. We used to be awake all night, play games, organise competitions, do the aarti, go to different houses for prasad, enjoy the food. It was great fun and I have amazing memories. It's a lovely festival, which is extremely auspicious. But at the same time, it is important for us to understand that saving the environment is crucial. The eco-friendly idols are expensive, but at least they are not harming the nature and they quickly dissolve in the water. I stay near the beach and the worst sight after immersion day is to wake up to remains of the idols, hands and legs in different parts of the beach. It is very sad!
There are many actors who are star kids and perhaps, they haven't worked hard. So, they couldn't make a mark at all.
How does it feel when younger actors like Tiger Shroff look up to for inspiration?
I feel good about it. Even Tiger is one of the few actors who loves martial arts and parkour. He indulges into a lot of physical fitness activities. He is one of the few people I know who does not indulge in extra products, which a lot of youngsters do use as a shortcut for a better physique. Hats off to him!
You have completed 25 years in the industry. How do you look back at your journey in the industry so far?
It has been a good one, nothing less than a roller coaster ride. The kid in me loves such roller coaster rides. There is a lot more left and I shall keep up with it in all my upcoming films.
What's 2016 going to be like for your fans?
There is Airlift in January. I have also started working on Housefull 3, and then there is Rustam with Neeraj Pandey. Currently, all my energies are focused on these project. If there is anything new that comes my way, I will end up announcing it anyway.
By Priya Adivarekar
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