I copy common people Akshay Kumar Interview

I copy common people: Akshay Kumar (Interview)
By Dibyojyoti Baksi

Mumbai, May 4 (IANS) Akshay Kumar just released "Housefull" has broken the dry spell at the box office by earning Rs.64 crore in the opening weekend worldwide. The star says the secret of his success as a comedian is that he mimics common people around for most of his roles.

"The expression that you see are mostly stolen from the faces of common people. Normally mimicry is done of big actors, but it is fun to mimic those people who have no connection with this industry. So I copy common people without copyright (laughs)," Akshay, 42, told IANS in an interview.

"I travel a lot. Recently, I got stuck at the Frankfurt airport because of the volcano ashes incident. I had to wait long. So I sat down and looked around and people have something to offer. It's amazing just to register that and sometimes while playing a character, suddenly that comes out and you start acting like that person. That's what's called mimicry," he added.

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".

Akshay Kumar role in Tees Maar Khan inspired by Robin Hood Farah Khan

Akshay's role in 'Tees Maar Khan' inspired by Robin Hood: Farah

New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) Akshay Kumar plays a con man in "Tees Maar Khan" and director Farah Khan says his role is inspired by English folklore hero Robin Hood.

"In 'Tees Maar Khan', Akshay plays modern-day extra smart conman, who steals the money from the rich and gives it to the poor, someone like Robin Hood," Farah told IANS in an interview.

"Around 50 to 55 percent of the film is complete and we plan to finish shooting by September. Like always, in this film also you will see a mix of action, comedy and emotions."

This is Farah's third film after "Main Hoon Na" and "Om Shanti Om", but first one without Shah Rukh Khan who played main lead in both her previous movies. 

The choreographer-turned-director is expected to release the film on Christmas. Apart from Akshay, "Tees Maar Khan" also stars Katrina Kaif, Akshaye Khanna, Arya Babbar, Aman Verma and Ali Asgar.

With "Tees Maar Khan", Akshay is gearing up for an image makeover - he will be seen sporting an Indian Muslim look. Renowned designer Aki Narula has worked on his costumes alongside an international team of make-up artists and hairdressers.

Apart from choreographing and directing, Farah has hosted the chat show "Tere Mere Beach Mein" on STAR Plus. She was also a judge on dance reality shows - "Nach Baliye 4" and season one of "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa".

Farah has once again taken the judge's seat on Zee TV's dance reality show "Dance India Dance Li'l Masters", where she will be seen judging kids aged 5-14 years old.

"I am a reality show junky. I enjoy judging because these shows make us believe there is so much talent here. I feel reality shows are a great platform as it gives great exposure as well as recognition to individuals. As a judge I'll try not to be harsh to the kids," said Farah who was recently here to promote the show.

When asked what does she think of the government guidelines that children under a certain age should not be a part of reality shows, Farah said: "If these kids are not brought forward how will we get to know they are so talented. 

"I feel it depends upon the parents how they mould their children, whether they turn out to be aggressive or take the competition in a healthy way.

Akshay Kumar Deepika Jiah Arjun Ritesh Housefull cricket match

Arjun Rampal, Sajid Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Akshay Kumar, Jiah Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sajid Nadiadwala

Deepika Akshay Star cast of Housefull at Unitedworld Business school

An interaction with mediapersons by the Star cast of the upcoming film "Housefull", at Unitedworld Business school in Ahmedabad.

Housefull Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh, April 30, 2010 - 12:50 IST


At the very start of the film, Sajid Khan pays his respects to several notable names of the 1970s and 1980s, who redefined Hindi commercial cinema. And that gives you ample idea of what to expect from HOUSEFULL, which, very frankly, stresses on wholesome entertainment like those wonderful entertainers made by Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra, Feroz Khan, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, K. Raghavendra Rao, Narendra Bedi, Ravi Tandon and Brij. No wonder, films made by these icons have tremendous recall value even today.

The two things you expect from HOUSEFULL are non-stop laughter and non-stop entertainment. That's because the promos of the film have already given you an inkling of what to expect from this film. Besides, Sajid Khan swears by wholesome entertainers, so it's only natural to expect HOUSEFULL to bring the house down.

We loved Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra's movies because they transported us to a world of make believe, into a fantasy world, keeping us thoroughly entertained for those 3 hours. Obviously, we never questioned the logic then because we knew that entertainment was the keyword. HOUSEFULL takes the same route

HOUSEFULL entertains majorly at places, but it's an uneven ride. Uneven, because the pace dips at several places. It's not a rip-roaring laugh-riot or a non-stop laughathon that one expects it would be, since the focus is on emotions and drama as well. Even the climax, I am sure, will meet with diverse reactions. It will have its share of advocates and adversaries.

Final word? The actors are top notch and so are their performances. Wish the script would've been equally super. Yet, despite the hiccups, HOUSEFULL should be lapped by moviegoers in a big way because the audience is starved for that solid entertainer with big stars for more than two months now.

HOUSEFULL narrates the story of Aarush [Akshay Kumar], the world's unluckiest man. Being jinxed, he believes his bad luck can vanish if he finds true love. In this quest for true love, he gets married to the daughter [Jiah Khan] of a wealthy businessman Kishore Samtani [Randhir Kapoor]. But there's a twist in the tale…

Enter Sandy [Deepika Padukone], who falls in love with Aarush. But complications follow thereafter as Sandy's brother, Major Krishna Rao [Arjun Rampal] and Hetal's [Lara Dutta] father, Batuk Patel [Boman Irani] enter the scene. How Aarush and his buddy Bob [Riteish Deshmukh] come out of this mess forms the crux of the film.

Like HEYY BABYY, HOUSEFULL has a story to tell as well. It's not merely an assemblage of funny sequences or a mere montage of comic scenes. But some of the funny sequences are sure to make you flex your facial muscles wide. Note Akshay's intro, or the sequence involving the vacuum cleaner, or Akshay getting a pet home, or the entire Chunkey Pandey track in Italy. Simply howlarious!

Sajid balances the dramatic moments well. The Jiah Khan sequence soon after the marriage is very interesting and so are the sequences in the second hour, when Arjun and also Boman land up at the mansion. The comedy of errors is truly funny at times and also the gay angle, which has been injected in this half. It may not be as memorable as the Kantaben track in KAL HO NAA HO, but is funny nonetheless. Talking of dramatic sequences, the ones between Akshay and Arjun are fantastic, especially the lie detector test, which is amongst the best sequences of the film.

Director Sajid Khan knows his fundas right. He packs just about everything to entertain you for the next two hours, but the screenplay could've been tighter. While the pacing is slow in the first hour, it's the second half which has a lot to offer. Overall, Sajid jumps into the big league of film-makers who make films for the masses and successfully at that!

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is pleasant. Vikas Sivaraman's cinematography is top notch. The locales of Italy are mind-boggling.

Every actor in this film takes the film to the next level. Akshay underplays his part beautifully. All those who felt that the actor tends to get loud or needs to be controlled will change their opinion with this film. He's the soul of HOUSEFULL. Riteish is incredibly natural. I've often felt that Riteish is one actor who doesn't give you an impression that he's 'acting'. Though the story primarily revolves around Akshay, Riteish stands shoulder to shoulder with Akshay in this one. Arjun Rampal is fantastic. Post OM SHANTI OM and ROCK ON!!, HOUSEFULL is yet another film that taps Arjun's talent to the maximum.

Deepika is a surprise. She carries her part with amazing confidence and again, post OM SHANTI OM and LOVE AAJKAL, HOUSEFULL is the film that would make people notice her talent as well as beauty. Lara is a seasoned player when it comes to comedies and she's too good yet again. Her scenes with Riteish in particular and also with Boman are first-rate. Jiah is a revelation. Although she doesn't get much scope, she manages to register an impact nonetheless.

Randhir Kapoor is very good. Boman Irani is excellent and is amongst the driving force of the second hour. Chunkey Pandey is sure to bring the house down. He is exceptional. Lilette Dubey is competent, as always. Malaika Arora Khan is alright.

On the whole, HOUSEFULL is not a complete laugh-riot, but is an entertainer all the way, targeted at the hardcore masses. What really works for the film is its massive star cast, gripping second half and also the skilled performances by each and every member of its cast. The audience is starved for a good commercial entertainer and HOUSEFULL should bring HOUSEFULL boards back outside cineplexes.