Akshay Kumar

Article Updated 07 June, 2003 05:01:45 PM IST

Akshay Kumar

Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, perhaps you've heard of him. He's had various careers; a martial art teacher and model, before becoming a Bollywood film star. He's famous for fighting with WWF wrestler, the Undertaker in one of his films. His stunts as an action hero have included jumping 20,000 feet from a helicopter, and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. If his real name doesn't sound too familiar it maybe that you know him as Akshay Kumar. Either way you've seen this 6'1 actor in cinema halls around the world.

As you can see, our Star of the Week does have a certain reputation which precedes him. After all he's a handsome, well built, determined actor who has had a relationship with just about all of the heroines he has worked with on screen. Not only did he don the name Khiladi in his personal life, but seven of his films bear the name in their titles as well. That is before he finally settled down with Twinkle Khanna, who he cured him of his Don Juan disposition, and became his wife and "good luck charm." The still happy couple, after two years now, also have a son Araav.

So what makes this year a special one for Akshay? Well after playing the role of a cop in at least half of his fifty-five films, he has opted to join a love triangle as an Air Force officer in Raj Kanwar's film Andaaz. And although most of the reviews for this film are mediocre at best, the theaters are seeing droves of movie goers filing in to catch a glimpse of it. Is it just another love story, or has Akshay breathed life into this role and risen above his numerous flops at the box office? Will it be this year's blockbuster hit? We've yet to see.

Now that he's doing love stories, is he giving up on action films altogether? Akshay responds with, "not totally." But tired of being stereotyped as an action hero, he's decided to break the cycle and try something more challenging. It's time to move on from the repetitive non-serious roles and prove himself as an intense, emotional actor. "I want to be recognized for my acting talent as well," he laments.

What kind of metamorphosis have his performances taken over his thirteen year career? "Earlier, I accepted whatever role I got. Now I can do films like Hera Pheri and Dhadkan. It's like when an actor starts his career, money matters in his life. After he makes it, he begins to concentrate on doing a variety of roles and subjects." Add to the above mentioned, movies like Talaash, Khakee, Aan, and Bewafa - The Unfaithful just this year alone, and you now have roles ranging from laundry worker, to vigilante to sacrificed lover.

With his objective in view, directors visualizing his potential, and godfather Keshu Ramsay looking out for his best interest, we could see Akshay's career grow into something maybe even he doesn't fully comprehend at the present moment. Keeping optimistic, he might even give some of Bollywood's top actors a run for their money.

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