I want to do romantic films: Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is in need a makeover. Before you wonder, physically the actor couldn’t be more buff. What is currently under the microscope is his choice of films – ones that he’s producing and also starring in under the guise of acting.
The latest political satire from the Kumar camp is “Khatta Meetha”, currently playing in UAE cinemas. The actor describes the film as “beyond your usual, commercial Priyadarshan [director] madness.”
If you’ve had the opportunity to catch the film this weekend, you would know by now that “Khatta Meetha” is exactly what Kumar denies.
He explains: “The film that exposes the corruption that exists in the Indian transport system. I play the role of Sachin Tichkule, a struggling road construction contractor. As a result in India’s corrupt ways, his company, his finances, his reputation, his relationships, all suffer.
“With the pressures on Sachin keep mounting, audiences will see how he tries to cope with the situations that present themselves to him in his everyday struggle to con people of their money, which escalates out of control. The rest you’ll have to see for yourselves.”
Indeed. What you ultimately do see is a bunch of people constantly shouting at each other in the name of having a conversation, while director Priyadarshan helms a sinking ship with Kumar as his first officer. The actor, of course, says otherwise.
“My role is very aggressive, persuasive, desperate, unfortunate, sly and annoying to everyone around me,” says Kumar. “But it was really great to play; you’ll see how much I enjoy myself in this movie.”
Mission makeover
Kumar, who started his career in 1991 with the forgotten drama “Saugandh”, wisely switched genres a decade later when he realised action was a dying art in Bollywood.
In 2000, he teamed up with Priyadarshan for “Hera Pheri” and the 42-year-old star hasn’t looked back since.
Ask him what has been the most challenging role for him in a career spanning more than 90 films and he says: “Physically, it will always be my action movies. But mentally I would have to say my character in “8x10 Tasveer” was probably the most challenging role, having to be so dead and cold inside, to kill my own twin, to have outer body experiences, all was very draining and unusual for me to play. But I still enjoyed portraying the character.”
The 2009 movie bombed at the box office making filmmakers and Kumar himself realise that maybe the audience simply wasn’t ready for such a dramatic onscreen makeover.
Romcoms in Bollywood have always been the safest bet and Kumar, who’s dabbled in a few such films, is not averse to heading down this path.
“I would love to experiment in the romance genre but I’m waiting for the perfect script,” he reveals. “I can only make what writers and directors are striving for on the market right now. However, if I was given a script of any genre that pulled me in at the first read I would be on that movie in a flash. But I am still waiting for that ultimate romantic drama.”
After Khatta Meetha, Kumar’s next is “Patiala House”, which looks set for an October release. The actor is very excited about his forthcoming project, saying: “You will really enjoy “Patiala House” if you want to see me innocently romance and make you weep with a wholesome family drama…”
After Khatta Meetha’s bittersweet box office response, maybe the audience should decide if they weep with the film or for it.