Akshay Kumar (Hindi: अक्षय कुमार; born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia[1] on 9 September 1967[1]) is an Indian film actor, producer and martial artist who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films. When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi series", which included Khiladi (1992), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), International Khiladi (1999), and Khiladi 420 (2000), as well as other action films such as Mohra (1994).[2]
He later gained more fame for his drama, romance and comedy roles.[3] He started becoming known for his performances in romance films like Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Dhadkan (2000) as well as drama films such as Ek Rishtaa (2001). His comic performances in comedy films such as Hera Pheri (2000), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), and Garam Masala (2005) met with acclaim. His success further rose in 2007, when he starred in four consecutive commercial hits. He has thus established himself as one of the leading actors in Hindi cinema.
Apart from acting, Kumar worked as a stunt actor; he often performed many dangerous stunts in his films,[4] which earned him a reputation as the "Indian Jackie Chan".[2] 2008 marked his television debut as the host of the show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi. In 2009, Kumar founded the Hari Om Entertainment production company.[5] In 2008, the University of Windsor conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Law on Kumar in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema. The following year he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.[3]Contents [hide]
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 1990s
2.2 2000s
3 Personal life
4 Awards and nominations
5 Filmography
5.1 Actor
5.2 Television appearances
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
[edit]
Early life
Akshay Kumar was born in Amritsar, Punjab.[1] His father was an army officer. From a very young age, he was recognised as a performer, particularly as a dancer. Kumar was raised in Delhi's Chandni Chowk neighbourhood before moving to Mumbai.[6] In Mumbai, he lived in Koliwada, which was another Punjabi dominated area.[6] He studied at Don Bosco School and then Guru Nanak Khalsa College (King's Circle), where he participated in sports with Janpal Singh.[6]
After having obtained a black belt in Taekwondo while in India,[7] he studied martial arts in Bangkok, Thailand,[6] where he learned Muay Thai[7] and worked as a chef[6] and waiter.[7] He then came back to Mumbai, where he started teaching martial arts. One of his students happened to be a photographer and recommended him to do modelling. The student gave him a modelling assignment for a small company. For his two hours posing in front of the camera, Kumar got Rs. 5,000, compared to his previous monthly salary of Rs. 4,000. That was one of the main reasons why he chose to be a model. After a couple of months of modelling, Kumar was offered a lead role by producer Pramod Chakravarthy for the movie Deedar.[6]
[edit]
Career
[edit]
1990s
Kumar made his Bollywood acting debut with the 1991 film Saugandh, which was followed by the 1992 thriller film Khiladi. In 1994, his action films Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Mohra were among the highest grossing films of the year.[8] Later that year, Yash Chopra signed him for the romantic film Yeh Dillagi which was also a success.[8] He received appreciation for his performance in this film, where he played a romantic role which was different compared to his action roles. He would consequently receive his first nominations for Best Actor award at the Filmfare and Star Screen ceremonies. During the same year, Kumar also had success with films like Suhaag and the low budget action film Elaan. All these achievements, promoted Kumar as one of the most successful actors of the year.[9]
In 1995, along with his share of unsuccessful movies, he starred in the third film in his Khiladi series Sabse Bada Khiladi, which was a hit.[10] He proved to have success with the Khiladi series, as in the next year he starred in the fourth successful film with Khiladi in the title, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi opposite Rekha and Raveena Tandon. The film became one of the highest grossing films of the year.[11]
In 1997, Kumar was seen in a supporting role in Yash Chopra's hit film Dil To Pagal Hai, for which he received a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award nomination. In the same year, he attempted a comedy role with the fifth film in the Khiladi series, Mr and Mrs Khiladi. Unlike his previous films with Khiladi in the title, the film failed commercially.[12] In the same way as this film, his next Khiladi releases in the following years went on to fail at the box office. In 1999, Kumar received critical acclaim for his roles in the films Sangharsh and Jaanwar. Whilst the former did not make a profit at the box office, the latter turned out to be a success.[13]
[edit]
2000s
Kumar on the sets of Heyy Babyy
In 2000, he starred in the comedy Hera Pheri (2000) which was a commercial success.[14] He also starred in the romantic film Dhadkan later that same year which performed moderately at the box office.[14] That same year, he performed some of his most dangerous stunts in Khiladi 420, where he climbed a running plane, stood on top of the plane flying a thousand feet in the air, and jumped from the plane onto a hot air balloon.[4] In a later scene, he is also seen being chased by a car, dodging bullets, jumping off buildings, and climbing walls.[15] In 2001, Kumar played a negative role in the film Ajnabee. The film won him much acclaim as well as his first Filmfare Award for Best Villain.[1] Kumar played a role as role as a blind man in Aankhen.
Following Hera Pheri, Kumar starred in a number of comedy films, including Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004).[16] and Garam Masala (2005). The films succeeded at the box office[17][18] and his performance in the latter earned him his second Filmfare Award, for Best Comedian.[1] Apart from his action, comedy and romantic roles, Kumar displayed a flair for dramatic roles in films such as Ek Rishtaa (2001), Aankhen (2002), Bewafaa (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005).[1]n
In 2005,He starred in Rajkumar Santoshi's Khakee alongside Amitabh Bachchan,Ajay Devgn and Aishwarya Rai.
In 2006 he starred in a sequel to Hera Pheri titled Phir Hera Pheri. As was the former, the sequel became a huge success at the box office.[19] Later that year he starred alongside Salman Khan in the romantic musical Jaan-E-Mann. The film was a well anticipated release, and despite receiving positive reviews from critics, did not do as well as expected at the box office.[19] Though the film under-performed, his role as a shy, lovable nerd was praised.[20] He ended the year with the comedy Bhagam Bhag, which was a success.[19] In that same year, he led the Heat 2006 world tour along with fellow stars Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and Celina Jaitley.[21]
2007 proved to be Kumar's most successful year during his career in the industry, and as described by box office analysts, "probably the best ever recorded by an actor, with four outright hits and no flops."[22] His first release, Namastey London, was critically and commercially successful, and his performance earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare. Critic Taran Adarsh wrote of his performance in the film, "he's sure to win the hearts of millions of moviegoers with a terrific portrayal in this film."[23] His next two releases, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, were box office successes as well.[24][25] Kumar's last release of the year, Welcome, did extremely well at the box office, receiving a blockbuster status and simultaneously becoming his fifth successive hit.[26] All of Kumar's films which released that year did well in the overseas market as well.[27]
Kumar's first film of 2008, Tashan, marked his comeback to the Yash Raj Films banner after 11 years. Although much anticipated by the public,[28] the film was a critical and commercial failure. His second film, Singh Is Kinng was a huge success at the box office and broke the first-week worldwide record of Om Shanti Om, the previous highest figure.[29] His next film was the animated film Jumbo. The year also saw Kumar making his small screen debut as the host of the successful show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi. He later returned to host the show's second season in 2009.
In 2009, Kumar featured opposite Deepika Padukone in the Warner Bros.-Rohan Sippy production Chandni Chowk to China. Directed by Nikhil Advani, the film was a critical and commercial failure at the box office.[30] Kumar's next release was 8 x 10 Tasveer. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the film was a critical and commercial failure. His next release was Kambakkht Ishq. Kumar's film Blue was released on 16 October 2009. Blue collected about Rs. 42 crores at the box-office.[31] His release in 2009 was Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan.
He then appeared in the 2010 comedy, Housefull, directed by Sajid Khan which garnered the second-highest opening weekend collection of all time.[32] Kumar's next release was Khatta Meetha, directed by Priyadarshan which was an average grosser. He also appeared in Vipul Shah's Action Replayy, which was a box office failure.[33] His last film of 2010 was Tees Maar Khan. In 2011 he starred in Patiala House and Thank You.
He also co-produced a film with Russell Peters titled Breakaway (dubbed into Hindi as Speedy Singhs) which is reminiscent of his own Patiala House.[34] Breakaway has become the highest-grossing English movie in Canadian history.[35] Akshay Kumar, recently dubbed for the Hindi version of Hollywood, action blockbuster, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Akshay dubbed for the role of 'Optimus Prime', which is one of the key characters in the film. He took the dubbing role for his son, Aarav, and did so for free.[36]
His latest film is Rohit Dhawan's Desi Boyz (2011), which co-starred John Abraham, Chitrangada Singh and Deepika Padukone. Desi Boyz was a moderate success at the box office.
[edit]
Personal life
Kumar earlier dated several of his colleagues, such as Shilpa Shetty and Raveena Tandon. After being engaged twice to actress Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, he married her on 14 January 2001. Their son named Aarav was born in September 2002.[1] He stays in shape with a combination of kickboxing, basketball, swimming and other sports, as well as working out at the gym.[37]
[edit]
Awards and nominations
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Akshay Kumar
[edit]
Filmography
[edit]
ActorYear Film Role Notes
1991 Saugandh Shiva
1992 Dancer Raja
1992 Mr Bond Mr. Bond
1992 Khiladi Raj Malhotra
1992 Deedar Anand Malhotra
1993 Ashaant Vijay
1993 Dil Ki Baazi Vijay
1993 Kayda Kanoon Daud
1993 Waqt Hamara Hai Vikas Sabkuchwala
1993 Sainik Suraj Dutt
1994 Elaan Vishal Chaudhry
1994 Yeh Dillagi Vijay Saigal Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor
1994 Jai Kishen Jai Verma / Kishen
1994 Mohra Amar Saxena
1994 Main Khiladi Tu Anari Karan Joglekar
1994 Ikke Pe Ikka Rajiv
1994 Amaanat Amar
1994 Suhaag Raj
1994 Nazar Ke Samne Jai Kumar
1994 Zakhmi Dil Jaidev Anand
1994 Zaalim Ravi
1994 Hum Hain Bemisaal Vijay Sinha
1995 Paandav Vijay
1995 Maidan-E-Jung Karan
1995 Sabse Bada Khiladi Vijay Kumar / Lallu
1996 Tu Chor Main Sipahi Amar Varma
1996 Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Akshay Malhotra
1996 Sapoot Prem
1997 Lahoo Ke Do Rang Sikandar Davai
1997 Insaaf: The Final Justice Vikram
1997 Daava Arjun
1997 Tarazu Inspector Ram Yadav
1997 Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi Raja
1997 Dil To Pagal Hai Ajay Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
1997 Aflatoon Rocky / Raja
1998 Keemat: They Are Back Dev
1998 Angaaray Amar
1998 Barood Jai Sharma
1999 Aarzoo Vijay Khanna
1999 International Khiladi Rahul / "Devraj"
1999 Zulmi Raj
1999 Sangharsh Professor Aman Varma
1999 Jaanwar Badshah / Babu Lohaar
2000 Hera Pheri Raju
2000 Dhadkan Ram
2000 Khiladi 420 Dev Kumar/Anand Kumar
2001 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love Ajay Kapoor
2001 Ajnabee Vikram Bajaj Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role
2002 Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Raj Malhotra
2002 Aankhen Vishwas Prajapati
2002 Awara Paagal Deewana Guru Gulab Khatri
2002 Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Atul
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins... Arjun
2003 Andaaz Raj Malhotra
2004 Khakee Sr. Inspector Shekhar Verma Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
2004 Police Force: An Inside Story Vijay Singh
2004 Aan: Men at Work DCP Hari Om Patnaik
2004 Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin Inspector Ajay
2004 Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Arun / "Sunny" Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2004 Hatya: The Murder Ravi
2004 Aitraaz Raj Malhotra
2004 Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Major Rajeev
2005 Insan Amjad
2005 Bewafaa Raja
2005 Waqt: The Race Against Time Aditya Thakur
2005 Garam Masala Makrand / "Mac" Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2005 Deewane Huye Paagal Rocky Hiranandani
2005 Dosti: Friends Forever Raj Malhotra
2006 Family - Ties of Blood Shekhar Bhatia
2006 Mere Jeevan Saathi Vicky
2006 Humko Deewana Kar Gaye Aditiya Malhotra
2006 Phir Hera Pheri Raju
2006 Jaan-E-Mann Agastya Rao / "Champu"
2006 Bhagam Bhag Bunty
2007 Namastey London Arjun Singh Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor
2007 Heyy Babyy Arush Mehra
2007 Bhool Bhulaiyaa Dr. Aditiya Shrivastav
2007 Om Shanti Om Himself Special appearance
2007 Welcome Rajiv Saini
2008 Tashan Bachchan Pandey
2008 Singh Is Kinng Happy Singh Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Asian Film Award for Best Actor
2008 Jumbo Jumbo (voice)
2009 Chandni Chowk to China Sidhu Sharma
2009 8 X 10 Tasveer Jai Puri / Jeet
2009 Kambakkht Ishq Viraj Shergill
2009 Blue Aarav Malhotra
2009 De Dana Dan Nitin Bankar
2010 Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai Himself Special appearance
2010 Housefull Aarush
2010 Khatta Meetha Sachin Tichkule
2010 Action Replayy Kishen
2010 Tees Maar Khan Tabrez Mirza Khan /
Tees Maar Khan
2011 Patiala House Parghat Singh Kahlon / "Gattu"
2011 Thank You Kishen
2011 Chalo Dilli Vikram Rana Guest appearance
2011 Speedy Singhs Himself Special appearance in song Shera Di Kaum
2011 Desi Boyz Jignesh Patel / Jerry / Rocco
2012 Housefull 2 Aarush Post-production (Releasing on April 05, 2012)[38]
2012 Rowdy Rathore Vikram Singh Rathore Filming (Releasing on June 15, 2012)[39]
2012 Joker Post-production (Releasing on August 30, 2012)[40]
2012 Khiladi 786 Pre-production (Releasing in November 2012)[41]
2012 Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 Dawood Ibrahim Pre-production
[edit]
Television appearances
Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 1 (2008) - Host
Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 2 (2009) - Host
Amul Master Chef - Season 1 (2010) - Host
Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 4 (2011) - Host
[edit]
See also
List of Indian Actors
[edit]
References
^ a b c d e f g Verma, Sukanya (5 September 2007). "40 things you didn't know about Akki". Rediff. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ a b "Akshay Kumar meets Jackie Chan in Hong Kong". Bollywood Hungama. May 20, 2004. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
^ a b "Overwhelmed Akshay Kumar dedicates Padmashri to fans". Economic Times. 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
^ a b Stacey Yount, Akshay Kumar on Filmi things, BollySpice, 2 March 2008
^ "Main bhi producer!". The Times of India. October 9, 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
^ a b c d e f Mohammed, Khalid (22 March 2007). "Akshay Kumar is a Punjabi by nature". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
^ a b c Jasmine Teo (January 18, 2009). "Kumar the kungfu fighter". Malaysia Star. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
^ a b "Box Office 1994".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Top Actor".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Box Office 1995".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Box Office 1996".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Box Office 1997".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Box Office 1999".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ a b "Box Office 2000".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Akshay Kumar's Top 5 Stunts". DesiHits. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
^ "Box Office 2004".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
^ "Box Office 2004".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "Box Office 2005".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ a b c "Box Office 2006".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ Adarsh, Taran (20 October 2006). "Jaan-E-Mann Review". indiaFM. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
^ "Akshay Kumar & Preity Zinta in Bollywood New York Shows for Aron Govil Productions". Business Wire India. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ "The Toppers Of 2007".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
^ Adarsh, Taran (23 March 2007). "Review of Namastey London". indiaFM. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
^ Adarsh, Taran (15 September 2007). "Top 5: 'Dhamaal' average, 'Darling' slumps!". indiaFM. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ Adarsh, Taran (10 November 2007). "Top 5: 'J.W.M.' steady, despite pre-Diwali dull phase". indiaFM. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
^ Adarsh, Taran (1 January 2008). "Midweek: 'Welcome', 'TZP' continue to rock!". indiaFM. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
^ "Overseas Earnings (Figures in Ind Rs)".
BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
^ Bollywood Hungama News Network. "The Most Awaited movies of 2008". IndiaFM. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
^ "Box Office 2008". BoxOffice India. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
^ "Ten Releases Five Disasters". BoxOffice India. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
^ "Blue: Box office Report".
BollywoodTrade.com. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
^ Vinod Marani (3 May 2010). "Housefull gets biggest opening since 3 Idiots". Rediff. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
^ "
Boxofficeindia.com".
Boxofficeindia.com. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
^ "Akshay Kumar, Russell Peters' Breakaway Gets Media Attention".
Sawfnews.com. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
^ "Akshay’s production house breaks records in Canada". Times Of India. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
^ "Bollywood Superstar, Akshay Kumar Superhero for his Son « Dubai Chronicle".
Dubaichronicle.com. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
^ "Akshay Kumar's fitness mantra".
Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
^ "Release Dates". Bollywood Hungama. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
^ "Release Dates". Bollywood Hungama. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
^ "Release Dates". Bollywood Hungama. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
^ "Release Dates". Bollywood Hungama. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
[edit]
External links
Akshay Kumar at the Internet Movie Database[hide]
v · d · e ·
Filmfare Award for Best Comedian
1967–1980 Mehmood (1967) · Om Prakash (1968) · Johnny Walker (1969) · Mehmood (1970) · I. S. Johar (1971) · Mehmood (1972) · Paintal (1973) · Asrani (1974) · Mehmood (1975) · Deven Verma (1976) · Asrani (1977) · Paintal (1978) · Deven Verma (1979) · Utpal Dutt (1980) ·
1981–2000 Keshto Mukherjee (1981) · Utpal Dutt (1982) · Deven Verma (1983) · Utpal Dutt (1984) · Ravi Baswani (1985) · Amjad Khan (1986) · no award (1987) · no award (1988) · no award (1989) · Anupam Kher – Satish Kaushik (1990) · Kader Khan (1991) · Anupam Kher (1992) · Anupam Kher (1993) · Anupam Kher (1994) · Shakti Kapoor (1995) · Anupam Kher (1996) · Satish Kaushik (1997) · Johnny Lever (1998) · Johnny Lever (1999) · Govinda (2000) ·