Akshay Kumar with wife Twinkle Khanna enjoying the race at Race course stadium in Mumbai

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar with wife Twinkle Khanna enjoying the race at Race course stadium in Mumbai.

Akshay Kumar with wife Twinkle Khanna at Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar poses with his wife Twinkle Khanna at Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai.

Khiladi Kumar runs in minus 8 degrees

Gurmukh Singh, Indo-Asian News Service

Toronto, December 18, 2009

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar announced that he would make a cross-cultural film on Canada with ice hockey as the theme even as he ran in bone-chilling temperature for the Winter Olympic torch relay. .

"I love ice hockey, and I am in the processing making this film. I will start work on it next year,'' the Singh is Kinng hero said here while participating the torch relay race for the 2010 Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver.

But he could not complete the 300-metre torch run as protesters opposing the staging of the Olympics blocked the race.

Since ice hockey is very popular among all Canadians, Akshay said he wants to show how this game has bridged cultural differences between different people.

Hinting that he might also make a Punjabi film, he said,"I am Punjabi and I love the language. I have just done a small role in a Punjabi film, and I won't rule out any film in the future.''

Akshay, who owns a house and has permanent residence status here, said Canada is "like a second home to me. I love Canada. Though the weather here is cold, people are very warm.''

He said his connection with Canada has deepened over the years since he came here first in 1995.

"Seven-eight of my films have been shot in Toronto and Vancouver, and six of them have done very well. So I have special connections with this country,'' he said.

He also recalled the help extended by Canadians when his father was brought to Toronto for medical treatment some time ago.

Thanking Canada for inviting him to run with the Olympic torch, he said, "It is a dream come true.

"I am honoured and privileged to have been selected as an official torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch relay. I would like to thank Canadians for this honour and recognition,'' he said.

He said he was also happy about Toronto hosting the 'Bollywood Oscars' in 2012. "I am very happy that the event is coming to Toronto. It will be a great honour for Canada.''

However, he was not very happy about his films his year, saying that "this year three to four films (of mine) didn't do that well.''

Later in the evening he ran with the Olympic torch on the famous Yonge Street in the heart of Toronto in bone-chilling winter. Even the minus eight-degree temperature failed to deter people as thousands lined up both sides of the street to have a glimpse of the star.

However, Akshay could not finish his 300-metre run as protesters blocked the street to highlight the treatment of Native Indians by the Canadian government.

Hundreds of policemen intervened to remove the agitators who kept shouting slogans against the holding of the Olympics on lands taken away from the original natives of Canada.

Akshay was one of the international torch-bearers selected by the Olympic organizing committee.

I hope I don't drop the Olympic torch Akshay Kuamr

I hope I don't drop the Olympic torch: Akshay  
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) Akshay Kumar, who will participate in the Olympic Torch Relay Thursday in Toronto, keeps telling himself not to drop the torch.

"I just keep telling myself one thing over and over again, 'No matter what happens, Akshay, don't drop that torch. Naak kat jayegi.' It'd be so embarrassing. I'd never be allowed to come back to Canada," Akshay told IANS before leaving for Toronto. 

Akshay was busy shooting for Priyadarshan's "Khatta Meetha" and had to take permission from him to attend the gala event. 

"I had to ask my director for a few days off from his tight schedule of 'Khatta Meetha'. He kindly agreed. Now I'm very very excited to be part of something as prestigious as the Olympics. I just feel the whole experience will be truly inspiring. I think this is one of the biggest happenings in my life," he said.

Akshay worked round the clock to beat the deadline for his departure. 

"Only when I go home in the night do I allow myself the luxury of feeling tired. On 17th I run with the torch. Then I return to Canada again to see some of the Olympics sports. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

But the actor has one regret before he left that his son Aarav couldn't accompany him. 

"It was just for a day. And I somehow managed to squeeze it into my schedule. For Aarav, it'd be too tiring. If I was going for at least five-six days, I'd have taken my wife (Twinkle Khanna) and son."

The torch for the 2010 Winter Olympics will be in Toronto from Dec 17 to 19. The 2010 Winter Games shall be held at Vancouver Feb 12-28

Akshay Kumar his wife Twinkle Khanna pose for a picture at a lingerie fashion show

Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar (L) and his wife Twinkle Khanna pose for a picture upon their arrival at a lingerie fashion show by Triumph International in Mumbai December 10, 2009.

Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif at special screening film De Dana Dan

Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif interact with physically handicapped children at a special screening of their film De Dana Dan in Mumbai.

Akshay Kumar De Dana Dan screening

Akshay Kumar Twinkle Khanna De Dana Dan screening

De Dana Dan Katrina Kaif Akshay Kumar Salman Khan

Moist eyed Bollywood says 26 11 taught unity to Mumbai

Bollywood celebrities say 26/11 was an event that united Mumbai residents and should never be forgotten. Be it Akshay Kumar 

they all look back at the terror attacks a year ago with sorrow and remember those who lost their lives.

Akshay Kumar: It's unfortunate that something like this happened. My wife Twinkle was there at the Taj that day. Fortunately, she had left the premise at around 6 p.m. A few positive things that happened after the unfortunate incidents are the unity of people in the city. We all should never forget this and always be united to fight back.

Akshay Kumar or Aamir Khan or Priyanka Chopra Sunil Shetty:  Aamir Khan Madhavan Neha Dhupia   Raveena Tandon   Preity Zinta   Priyanka Chopra Sonam Kapoor

Get well soon Akshay Kumar tells Katrina Kaif

Get well soon: Akshay tells Katrina  

New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif is down with jaundice and missing from the promotions for her latest outing "De Dana Dan". And her co-star Akshay Kumar was prompt in wishing her speedy recovery.

Rumours were rife that the actress was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai Monday night, where she was diagnosed with jaundice and has been advised complete bed rest for a while.

Asked if it were true, Akshay said: "Katrina is down with jaundice... We are missing her and hope she gets well soon."

Apparently "De Dana Dan" is Akshay and Katrina's sixth outing together after movies like "Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye" and back to back hits like "Namastey London", "Welcome" and "Singh Is Kinng". They also starred recently in underwater thriller "Blue". 

Akshay, who has had a string of flops this year with "Chandni Chowk To China", "8x10 Tasveer", "Kambakkht Ishq" and "Blue", is now keeping his fingers crossed for "De Dana Dan".

"Our chemistry does work and we've seen the results in 'Singh Is Kinng' and other films and we expect the same from this film too. This movie should do very well and I expect great returns for my producers. I have great expectations from this one," he said.

Akshay was here at the DT Cinema multiplex in Vasant Kunj to promote the movie with his co-stars Suniel Shetty, Neha Dhupia, Sameera Reddy and producer Sunil. A. Lulla.

Directed by Priyadarshan, "De Dana Dan" has also been produced by Ganesh and Girish Jain. It also stars Paresh Rawal in an important role.

De Dana Dan Katrina Kaif Akshay Kumar Salman Khan

Akshay and Katrina lovemaking song sequence

Actress Katrina Kaif has shed her coy image with a bang. Promotional photos of her upcoming film De Dana Dan show the actress in a clingy wet sari.

Katrina Kaif uncensored

Sources from the crew of the movie, which releases this Friday, reveal that Akshay and Katrina Kaif shot the seductive song without any hesitation.

'I am excited. It is for the first time that I have managed to match up to Akshay’s energy level,' said the actress.

Kat will be seen in an intense lovemaking song-sequence with actor Akshay Kumar in her upcoming flick.

The question on everyone’s mind is, 'Does this mean she doesn’t bother anymore about Salman Khan’s possessive diktats?' All we can say is let's wait and watch!

When asked about the sensuous dressing she said, 'It is the typical wet song that every Bollywood heroine does at some point in her career'.

De Dana Dan Katrina Kaif Akshay Kumar Salman Khan

Akshay Kumar promote Film De Dana Dan

Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Sameera Reddy, Suniel Shetty and Dilip Doshi promote their film De Dana Dan in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Sameera Reddy and Suniel Shetty promote their film De Dana Dan in Ahmedabad on Tuesday

Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Sameera Reddy arrive in Ahmedabad to promote their upcoming film De Dana Dan on Tuesday.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar thronged by fans at a function in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Samira Reddy and Dilip Joshi pose with mentally disabled children at a function in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

I ll be there to guide any damsel in distress Akshay Kumar

I'll be there to guide any damsel in distress: Akshay Kumar 
By Joginder Tuteja

Mumbai, Nov 23 (IANS) He worked with them when they were new to the film industry and gave back-to-back hits but Akshay Kumar refuses to take credit for Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra's success. The actor says he will always lend a helping hand to newcomers if they need it.

"I am extremely happy to be their (Katrina and Priyanka) mentors but then they are free agents. They owe nothing to any one. They got where they are because they are talented. I saw it in them and that's why I wanted to work with them. I am no guru," Akshay told IANS in an interview.

"I don't make it a hobby to help heroines. I wait and I watch and I will of course be there to guide any damsel in distress. However, a 'Katrina' doesn't walk by a film set everyday. They are one in a million for a reason," the star said.

Together, Akshay and Katrina have given super hits like "Singh Is Kinng" and "Welcome". While "Namastey London" was also successful, their first film together "Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye" was a decent box office grosser.

On the other hand Akshay has a cent percent success rate with Priyanka as well with hits like "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi", "Waqt - Race Against Time", "Aitraaz" and "Andaaz".

The latest Akshay and Katrina starrer "De Dana Dan" is now ready to hit the screens. The actress has time and again said that she consented to act in a film by Priyadarshan mainly due to Akshay.

"Yes, I know about that. 'De Dana Dan' isn't going to better her career. But yes, it is just good for her to work in different environments. A movie like this is a first for her. She still needs to touch every aspect of her audience and she knows it," said Akshay.

"I know when Katrina says she's doing it for me, it means she respects me enough to say yes to something without question. There aren't any questions around the script etc... It's a plain and simple talk of 'Yes Akshay, when do you need me?'."

Both Katrina and Priyanka have given hits with other actors too. In 2009, Priyanka teamed up with Shahid Kapoor in the successful dark thriller "Kaminey".

Katrina, on the other hand, was seen with John Abraham in "New York". Directed by Kabir Khan, the film was a huge hit. And recently she teamed up with Ranbir Kapoor in the successful romantic comedy "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani".

But now she is back with Akshay in "De Dana Dan".

"In any case, the year wouldn't be complete without me chasing after her (Katrina) in one of my movies," Akshay said jokingly. 

Farah Khan is the strongest woman in Bollywood Akshay Kumar

Farah is the strongest woman in Bollywood: Akshay Kumar 

New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) Guess who's got actor Akshay Kumar's vote as the "strongest" and most "capable" woman in Bollywood? It's none other than the director of his upcoming film "Tees Maar Khan" - Farah Khan.

"Farah is the strongest and most capable woman in the business (Bollywood)... She is highly respected by well-known people (here)," Akshay said in a statement.

"Tees Maar Khan" is a co-production between Farah and her husband Shirish Kunder's production company Three's Company Pvt. Ltd and Akshya's Hari Om Productions.

"I'm sure Farah will make sure we live up to the title and make this film larger than life," said Akshay.

Penned by Kunder, the film was written with Akshay in mind.

Akshay Kumar Prepares for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

Event: Akshay Kumar Prepares for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

Celebrities: Akshay Kumar Twinkle Khanna and Stephen Harper

Venue: Hotel Trident, Churchgate, Mumbai

Date: 16th November, 2009

Akshay Kumar can't wait for the New Year. He will be representing India at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Canada as one of the 15 international torchbearers.

Akshay Kuma 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic games

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper presents the uniform of the torch relay for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic games to Bollywood star Akshay Kumar in Mumbai, India.

Akshay Kumar shows the relay torch Winter Olympic

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper claps as Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar shows the relay torch for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic games, in Mumbai.

I missed Akshay but loved Salman Ajay dynamism Vipul Shah

I missed Akshay, but loved Salman, Ajay's dynamism: Vipul Shah
By Joginder Tuteja

Mumbai, Oct 30 (IANS) "London Dreams" is Vipul Shah's first film that doesn't star Akshay Kumar. While the filmmaker missed his favourite actor, he says he thoroughly enjoyed working with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn and loved their dynamism.

"When you work with people with whom you have never worked before, there are two ways to look at things. Firstly, you do miss your favourite actor and...I have been associated with Akshay for so long. On the other hand, you have to start enjoying the process of working with the new bunch of people. Thankfully, both Salman and Ajay allowed me that comfort level," Shah told IANS.

Shah teamed up with Akshay in his directorial debut "Aankhen", followed by "Waqt - Race Against Time" and "Namaste London". Later when he decided to rope in Anees Bazmee as director for "Singh Is Kinng", Akshay was once again by his side. All these films worked well at the box office.

"Akshay and me go a very long way. It is absolutely a great rapport that both of us share and it's a treat to work with him. However, I have to admit that since I was working with Salman and Ajay for the first time, I had to be on my toes all the time. That further made it an enjoyable experience for me," he said.

The director has brought Salman and Ajay together 11 years after "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam".

Talking about the two, he said: "In any case, both these actors are beyond hits and flops today. They have been there for 20 years now and seen the industry and its trends quite closely. Moreover, they enjoy worldwide popularity and are known all over.

"They have a huge reach and impact which should bring in audiences. After they get an opening, it should be the film which should do the talking. If it is good, it would work. Period."

Shah is also all praise for Asin Thottumkal, who would be seen in "London Dreams" a year after her debut Bollywood flick "Ghajini" opposite Aamir Khan.

"It is challenging for any actress to stand in front of terrific actors and stars like Salman and Ajay. However, the best part is that though she is a fresh face for Hindi audiences, she has worked with Kamal Haasan and other big stars down south.

"She knows how to make her presence felt amidst big stars and not to get conscious, upset or scared. It's that kind of confidence that puts her at par with the actors," the director said.

"She comes with that definite advantage. Since she has already dealt with one huge star like Aamir, her confidence shows. She is not scared of stars and comes across as so fresh on screen. This is so good for any director," he said.

With an intense drama like "London Dreams" in front of audiences, Shah knew that he had a task in hand.

"While making the film, I had to work towards creating a comfort zone for my actors. Audiences should walk out of theatres saying that other than just Akshay, Vipul can extract good work from Ajay and Salman as well. That would be my win from the film," Shah said.

De Dana Dan Movie WALLPAPERS

DE DANA DAN MOVIE WALLPAPERS

Magic Jodi Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif

The magic of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif jodi October 24, 2009

1* Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif jodi has done wonders on the box-office. The hit pair is set to create the magic again with Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan. Check out more pics... 2* Katrina and Akshay's first film together was Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. This was the only movie of the duo that didn't work at the box-office. 3* Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar have doled out hits like Namastey London, Singh Is Kinng and Welcome. 4* Katrina and Akshay were last seen in Blue together. Katrina did a cameo role in the movie. 5* After De Dana Dan, The duo will be seen in the sequel of Anthony D'Souza's Blue.