Akshay gives 'gurudakshina' to Pratima Kazmi, his Hindi teacher

Mumbai, Nov 22 (IANS) Very few know that it was TV actress Pratima Kazmi, popular for her role as the waspish-tongued Nani of 'Uttaran', who taught struggling Akshay Kumar Hindi, and after two decades the star offered to give her 'gurudakshina'.

At the first edition of Colors' Golden Petal Awards here Monday night, Akshay made this revelation.

'I have something to tell you all about this lady,' Akshay said as he spotted Kazmi in the audience of the awards function.

He held her hand and told the audience: 'This lady taught me Hindi for six long months in the initial phase of my career when I faced tough times. She is a wonderful person.'

When Akshay offered to give her 'gurudakshina', a visibly embarrassed Kazmi said: 'It is Akshay's zindadili (whole heartedness) which is his best quality and which makes him so admirable. His stunts are so effortless.'

At the drop of a hat, Akshay asked her: 'Would you like to do any stunt?'

She said: 'Mujhe hamesha se aag ugalna seekhna hai! Agar woh main seekh sakun... (I have always wanted to learn fire breathing. If only I could learn it).'

Taking a dig at her role in 'Uttarn', Akshay said: 'Arre serial mein toh aag ugalti hi ho, aao aaj real mein sikhaaun (You breathe fire in your serial with your dialogues, but come I will teach you fire breathing in real life),' and took her to the stage to perform the risky stunt.

Just as Akshay warns fans and kids not to try any of his dangerous 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' stunts without training and supervision, he warned everyone for this stunt too.

He taught Kazmi how she must keep a small amount of kerosene in her mouth, take care not to gulp it down, and blow it out to create a ball of fire in the air.

The actress, true to her character in 'Uttaran', said: 'Rami Rakhe' before the stunt to take god's blessings, and performed it successfully.

She thanked Akshay, and said: 'Darr durr ho gaya (My fear has gone).'

To which, master Akshay said: 'This is what it is - you are the 'Khatron ki khiladi' today.'

Akshay Kumar, John Abraham to promote Desi Boyz on Bigg Boss 5

Akshay Kumar, John Abraham to promote Desi Boyz on Bigg Boss 5

ctors Akshay Kumar and John Abraham are making all possible attempts to make it big success with their upcoming movie Desi Boyz, which is scheduled to release on November 25. They are promoting it on several TV shows. The Bollywood stars will also appear on popular television reality show Bigg Boss 5 to promote the film. 

Earlier, actor Ranbir Kapoor and singer Mohit Chauhan were on the show to promote their filmRockstar. Ranbir had even entered the Bigg Bosshouse to chat with the inmates. Now, Akshay Kumar and John Abraham will join hosts Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt for the 'Aapka Farman' episode of the show on the eviction day on Saturday. 

However, Desi Boyz is an action comedy, which revolves around the story of two men, who are forced to do something extremely bizarre which gives them instant gratification but the repercussions tear them apart. Directed by debutant Rohit Dhawan, the film stars Akshay, John, Deepika Padukone and Chitrangada Singh in lead roles.

Desi Boyz: Allah Maaf Kare

Akshay Kumar and John Abraham set Mumbai Press Conference for Desi Boyz ablaze!

Akshay Kumar and John Abraham set Mumbai Press Conference for Desi Boyz ablaze!


The discotheque Enigma at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai was literally set ablaze when our ever-energetic Desi Boyz, Akshay Kumar and John Abraham, sprinted inside for the extraordinary promotional event for their upcoming film. The superstars landed extravagantly, flung their coats to the audience and began dancing to the film’s popular number ‘English Thumkein’ with such infectious vitality that the assembled media and guests cheered and danced along themselves.

The star-studded night was highlighted by the live, fire-breathing stunt executed by our Khiladi Kumar aka Akshay Kumar and fellow macho man John Abraham, leaving the audiences awe-struck. The temperatures started soaring even higher when the sensuous Chitrangada Singh and the radiant Deepika Padukone made their entry. Debutant director Rohit Dhawan was also present at the event.

The actors, in their upbeat mood, proceeded to the bar where Akshay and John stunned everyone further by juggling glasses like seasoned bartenders, although they mixed no fancy cocktails but good old desi badaam-pista flavoured milkshakes!

Akshay Kumar, when asked what makes him a ‘true desi’ said, “A lot of things. I eat only and only desi food, I am married to a desi girl, I try talking in Hindi as much as I can, I follow Yoga which is a desi practice and I even have Ayurvedic medicines.”

And who’s the most desi actress he’s worked with? “I think Sonakshi Sinha has a lot of Indianness in her appearance,” the superstar said.

Akshay, who flaunts his rugged Punjabi munda background, also keeps some desi compliments up his sleeve for his wife, like, “Oye, aaj tu ek dum jalebi laag rahi hai (You look like a jalebi today),” he chuckled, adding that one should be proud of the traits that come from where one has been raised.

“Whether in London, USA or Australia, what is important is staying true to your roots. That, I believe, is also the essence of Desi Boyz.”

Get ready to welcome Desi Boyz in cinemas across UK and worldwide on 24th November 2011.

Stay tuned because we have a fabulous and fun interview with Akshay Kumar coming up soon!

Chitrangada awed by Akshay Kumar

Chitrangada awed by Akshay Kumar

Chitrangada Singh and Akshay Kumar make for a fabulous pair in Rohit Dhawan's forthcoming comedy 'Desi Boyz'. The film also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. 

It will probably be the first time that you will se Chitrangada shake a leg with a renowned mainstream co-star like Akshay Kumar. 

Chitrangada shared with us how she was pretty nervous the first time she met the Khiladi kumar. 

"Akshay Kumar is a huge commercial actor who has done plenty big films in the past. I was awed by him when I first saw him! I was a bit nervous and my onscreen character had to portray otherwise. It took some time to register that I was indeed working with him. It was fun shooting with him", gushed Chitrangada. 

The actress also rubbished the claims that she had problems working with Deepika.