The actor has worked in more than 90 films in his almost two-decades-long
career. In the beginning, he mostly featured in action movies
like "Khiladi", "Elaan", "Mohra"
and "Main Khiladi Tu Anari". He also did romantic
films like "Yeh Dillagi", "Dhadkan" and
"Dil Toh Paagal Hai".
With Priyadarshan's 2000 hit film "Hera Pheri", he
forayed big time into comedies and tickled the audience's funny
bone with his performance in comic capers like "Mujhse
Shaadi Karogi", "Garam Masala", "Phir Hera
Pheri", "Namastey London", "Bhagam Bhaag",
"Heyy Babby" and "Singh Is Kinng".
Akshay gives credit to three directors for grooming him as
a comedian. "I would like to thank three people who contributed
hugely in whatever little comedy I have learnt. The three are
Neeraj Vora, Priyadarshanji and Rajkumar Santoshi.
"Let me tell you comedy is a big, big, big space. The
biggest comedian was Charlie Chaplin who could make people laugh
without saying a word. Then we have Mr. Bean. They are amazing,"
said Akshay.
Contrary to his on-screen image, the actor claims to be a introvert
and serious kind of person in real life.
"I am a very introvert and serious person. Even if I joke
around, that's limited to a vey few people I am comfortable
with. They are my school and college friends. I do have a couple
of friends from the industry as well.
"I am a workaholic. I work 24 hours. I have only one business,
that's the film business. I don't have any film school degree.
Whatever I have learnt is through my experience," said
Akshay.
So does he find it difficult to get into the skin of boisterous
characters?
"Darling, the kind of cheque you get, you automatically
start acting the way the director or producer wants (laughs)
you to. How can that be hard then?"
Even after attaining such stardom, Akshay is connected with
his past.
"Honestly, I am very close to everything that I used to
do before this stardom. My old house, my old Fiat car, my motorbike
- all are still there in running condition. Only the car's air-condition
doesn't work, but the car is as good as it was when I bought
it 24 years back," said Akshay.
He has his hands full with Priyadarshan's "Khatta Meetha",
Nikhil Advani's "Patiala House" and Farah Khan's "Tees
Maar Khan".