Akshay Kumar has been on a professional high for a few years now, delivering back to back hits. And now the actor has beat all the Khans of the Bollywood industry to become Mumbai's top advance taxpayer for the sixth consecutive year.
Akshay, who is still basking in the success ofSpecial 26, had four big hits in 2012 -'Khiladi 786,Housefull2,Rowdy RathoreandOh My God. In 2013, he will star in films likeNaam Hai Boss, his home production,Once Upon a Time in Mumbai 2andRamanna.
2012 cemented Akshay Kumar's almost invincible box office power with three box office winners in Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore and OMG, out of the five films he did in the year. Akshay's been on a hot streak for a while now and he knows it, with the numbers screaming his consistent and reliable star status. Special 26 is Akshay's first 2013 release wherein he adds singing to his many onscreen talents with the track, Mujh Main Tu. Special 26 explores the most feared government agency in the 80s in India, the CBI and releases on 8 February.
Of late, you seem to have a fascination with numbers in your film titles like Khiladi 786 and now, Special 26 that releases on 8 February - is it intentional and in conference with your directors or just you?
Khiladi 786 was definitely my title and the number is so significant all across India; it was the whole and soul of my film. As much as I love numbers, with Special 26, it was totally different. This title is purely down to history as the film is based on a real life story back in the 1980s, and the number 26 came from my director Neeraj Pandey and his research for the film.
You are the highest tax payer in the Bollywood sector, self-admittedly. Is it the first time or have you worn the crown before?
'Unfortunately' it is not the first time the tax man has reaped the most benefits in Bollywood out of me, but as long as they are putting my hard earned money to some good use, I can't complain. It is an achievement in itself to be the highest tax payer in my industry, but then I make so many films and work on that many projects, it's bound to happen a few times over the years, especially 2012, it being a bit of a box office year for me. For the record, I assure you there is no crown involved when being the highest tax payer, in fact I think only the tax man wins in this scenario.
You have sung a song in Special 26, Mujh Main Tu - how did that happen?
Well, I was so in love with the song, that after listening to it for months and months in my car, it just meant more and more to me everyday. It was a spur of the moment thing wherein I said I'd be honoured to sing the song in a studio, do what you wish with the end product. I just felt in my heart I'd really appreciate a chance to bring in a little bit of me to the song, in my own sweet way. So far, I've been forced to sing it everywhere I go, at events, colleges, hockey stadiums - I didn't know people would react this positively to the song which was born of out a very innocent suggestion to the team.
Would you say you have a singing voice, given your voice is not very deep or high... Will you try and cut an album or sing more often like say Farhan Akhtar does?
Uhhhhh no!!! I know my limits - there's a difference between a God given talent like what Farhan has and a harmless effort to try out something you're passionate about, like I have. Farhan is too good and I wouldn't dream of making an album! I'm a Copy King! I like copying what other people have so magically created!
A billboard of Bollywood film 'Khiladi 786' featuring Bollywood film actor, Akshay Kumar stands above a billboard featuring Gujarat state Chief Minister, Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on December 9, 2012. Gujarat state goes to polls in two phases, December 13 and 17, 2012.
Indian Bollywood film actor Akshay Kumar poses during the promotion of Hindi film 'Khiladi 786' on the set of Colors television reality show 'Bigg Boss 6' in Mumbai on December 7, 2012.
Mumbai: Bollywood's khiladi Akshay Kumar will return as the host of action-adventure show Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi, according to reliable sources.
Instead of considering other names to take over as the host of the show, the channel, Colors, has decided to wait for Akshay to get a little free.
Indian Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar (R) dances with German model Claudia Ciesla during a promotional event for the forthcoming Hindi film “Khiladi 786” directed by Ashish R Mohan in Mumbai late November 27, 2012.
