Akshay Kumar turned 50 on September 9, and he continues to defy age with his looks, physique, stunts and spirit. While he says his passion gets him going, industry experts say the fact he keeps reinventing himself with right stories has helped his success story.
The National Award-winning actor, who will soon be seen judging Star Plus' comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, started his career in 1991 with Saugandh. But it was Khiladi in 1992 which eventually gave him the epithet as Bollywood's Khiladi.
After establishing himself as a master of action roles, he moved into romantic and comedy zomes with films like Hera Pheri, Dhadkan, Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng and Housefull.
His movies OMG: Oh My God, Special 26, Holiday, Airlift, Rustom, Jolly LLB 2 and the latest Toilet: Ek Prem Katha have only added to his list of fans.
In 26 years of his bumpy ride as an actor, Akshay has come a long way. But he says he still has the enthusiasm of a youngster whenever he takes up a new project.
"Honestly, in my head, I made my debut two weeks ago. You play the song and I will start dancing on Waada raha sanam (song from Khiladi). I have never lost interest and passion.
"When I say it, I mean it that age is just a number, because it has not affected anything. In my mind space, I am still the same guy," said Akshay, who grew up in Delhi's Chandni Chowk area and is proficient in martial arts.
It is the interesting choice of movies that makes Akshay relevant in the competitive Bollywood world and makes him give younger actors a run for their money.
"It's just that the audience has woken up to him today," says filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who has worked with Akshay in Jaanwar, Andaaz, Ek Rishtaa, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Talaash: The Hunt Begins, Mere Jeevan Saathi and Dosti: Friends Forever. "With every movie he kept growing," he recounted with a smile, adding that Akshay was in a "fortunate phase" in his life.
Film business analyst Girish Johar said: "Akshay Kumar has been consistently doing three to four films for the past so many years and that is a commendable feat, which no other star actor has done.
"On top of it, selecting the right stories, the right set up, the right different genres and placing them smartly takes a huge effort.
"The public and trade look forward to all his films with equal excitement always. All his hardwork is bearing fruit now, and I am sure he is still not resting on his laurels... But gunning for more."
Filmmaker Farah Khan, who directed Akshay in Joker, said: "I know Akshay since he came for Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar auditions... I think he's a true survivor and a true inventor because earlier he used to do all B-grade movies at one time and then he really re-invented himself.
"He was an action hero, then he reinvented himself and became a comic hero and he did so well... Now he is doing socially relevant movies, so I think it's fabulous that he has had such a long career because when he started, he was not such a big star."
Now, while producers mostly laugh their way to banks with movies featuring Akshay, he is happy about living the "fun of getting paid for laughing" via "The Great Indian Laughter Challenge".
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