Akshay Kumar: How the Khiladi became Kinng

Akshay Kumar: How the Khiladi became Kinng

Akshay Kumar: How the Khiladi became Kinng
Not too long ago Akshay Kumar told rediff.com, 'We can all be kings if we have a positive attitude.' And clearly he knows what he was talking about.

Like the proverbial tortoise, Akki has inched towards the winning post. There were changes, transformations and most importantly growth. He changed his name from Rajiv Bhatia to Akshay Kumar, a la Dilip/Rajendra/Manoj Kumar in the anticipation of success.

Instead he had to deal with a torrent of embarrassing films like Mr Bond, Dancer, Ashaant, Kayda Kanoon, Zakhmi Dil, Zulmi and Elaan, which only confirmed his reputation of a wooden actor.

But, as mentioned earlier on, positive attitude along with patience, hard work and some clever selection of projects finally turned the tide in Akshay's favour. His performances worn tremendous recognition while his movies made ridiculous amount of money.

Bollywood's Khiladi turned Kinng turns 41 today. (Although his chiseled looks and lean frame make that a tad hard to believe.)

rediff.com celebrates the gummy superstar and profiles the landmark films, which don't necessarily have to be his best performances or major hits, in his 17-year-old career.

Text: Sukanya Verma | Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar

Deedar (1992)
Although Raj Sippy's Saugandh (1991) was his first film to hit cinemas, veteran filmmaker Pramod Chakravarthy (Love in Tokyo) signed him before anybody else for an old wine- in-old bottle-brand of romantic melodrama -- Deedar, opposite a raw, pre-makeover Karisma Kapoor.

The awkward-sounding couple shared clumsy on-screen chemistry against the backdrop of humdrum Anand-Milind compositions. The outcome was most unmemorable.

Deedar's only real merit is it introduced the future sensation in the world of Hindi films. And for that alone, we shall remain eternally grateful.

Long before Don and Umrao Jaan were officially remade, Abbas-Mustan came out with his reworked version of Ravi Tandon's musical thriller, Khel Khel Mein.

Like the original, the upgraded avatar too boasted of youthful presences, buoyant music and a sleek whodunit scenario.

Thanks to the movie's 'runaway hit' status, AK finally tasted success and earned the title of 'Khiladi.' The latter resulting in a series of Khiladi flicks like Sabse Bada Khiladi, International Khiladi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Mr and Mrs Khiladi, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and eventually a reality TV show, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, he recently hosted on Colors channel.

Yeh Dillagi (1993)
Since Akshay got so busy perfecting his karate chops on unsuspecting props, film after film, seeing him play a mild-mannered, introvert business tycoon in Yeh Dillagi was a refreshing change.

Besides his obvious chemistry with Saif Ali Khan, who played his kid brother in Yash Raj Films' desi remake of Sabrina, Akki made a fabulous pair with Kajol. Surprisingly, they haven't been cast opposite ever since.

The actor played an extension of his righteous character, sans the glasses, in Dharmesh Darshan's Dhadkan (2000) as well. In this gap of seven years, however, Akshay's dialogue delivery and restraint skills had acquired a detectable degree of polish.
Mohra (1993)
Mohra, an action-packed blockbuster, made Akshay Kumar a star and marked his beginning as a possible style icon.

Courtesy a super-cool bandana and vest-sporting look in the discotheque meets qawaali scenario of Tu cheez badi hai mast.

The sensational chartbuster, which enjoyed terrific popularity and air-play, also showcased Akki's ability to be a hip mover 'n'shaker. That Mast went on to garner a Filmfare trophy for Chinni Prakash in the Best Choreography category only ascertains the fact.
Hera Pheri (1999)
Mera Pheri enjoys a special place in the hall of famed Hindi film comedies. To be part of such an enterprise is quite a privilege. And so we can safely say Akshay's best career decision was to accept the part of Raju.

Playing the wicked brat up to no good might have landed Akki in a lot of trouble in Priyadarshan's brilliant comedy but off screen he turned out to be a revelation.

Okay, so he did look somewhat intense in Sangharsh, acceptably sincere in Dhadkan and funny in a corny sort of way in Mr and Mrs Khiladi. But this was the real deal. With Hera Pheri, Akshay proved to one, all and himself that he could act.

Ajnabee (2001)
It's certainly not one of his best performances. In fact, there are portions where he hams quite a bit. Yet, it won him an award at Filmfare for Best Actor in Negative Role. While that's debatable, Ajnabee is nonetheless an important film on Akshay's resume.

For one, he wasn't playing the good guy. If you look at his career graph, he's always played the virtuous do-gooder fighting for just causes. Or even if he was a good-for-nothing rascal, his heart would still be made of Bollywood-certified gold.

In Ajnabee, he plays a vile, manipulating crook with no ethics to redeem him. Luckily for him, the audience approved of this image change as well.
Khakee (2003)
He's not starred in too many multistarrers nor been known to walk away with the thunder from his co-stars. Rajkumar Santoshi's cop drama, Khakeechanged all that.

Santoshi's crisply-written character of a rotten cop who has a change of heart challenged Akshay to shed his inhibitions and get under the skin of his wisecracking, dishonorable reel avatar.

The actor delivered a hard-hitting performance, which oozed confidence and conviction, stealing the show from the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai and Atul Kulkarni.

The release of Shah Rukh Khan's Don on the same day might have spoiled the party. Or perhaps the audience found Salman Khan's diaper-selling angle forcefully emotional in content.

Whatever the reasons may be, Jaan-E-Mann's so-so performance at the box-office doesn't erase the memories of Akshay's utterly geeky and goofy turn.

Whether it's Tom Cruise donning layers of ugly prosthetics to look 'ugh' in Tropic Thunder or Akshay's unbecoming hairdo, wardrobe and laughter in Jaan-E-Mann, there's something bizarrely attractive about handsome men taking pains to look ridiculous.

Ten out ten to Champoo (as Preity affectionately refers to him in the movie) for going against type.

Singh is Kinng (2008)
It's only been 'good news' on the Akshay front after the success of Namastey London. All his other films to follow -- Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Welcome and even a cheeky cameo in Om Shanti Om turned out to be money-spinners.

Oh alright there was the disastrous Tashan somewhere. But Akshay rocked there too, didn't he?

But Singh is Kinng, which if you discount the turban, is typically Akshay Kumar in nature -- saving the day, saying the lines, doing the stunts, getting the girl, playing to the gallery.

Singh is Kinng went ahead and beat all previous record, including that of Shah Rukh Khan's OSO. Without further delay, the media promptly went ahead and crowned him Kinng. Even his high 'n' mighty colleagues were compelled to acknowledge his overwhelming accomplishment.

The formula for the time being is simple. Akshay+comedy=100% success. In all probability, Chandni Chowk to China will be another feather in Akshay's fluffy cap.

What's comforting and commendable, however, is that success hasn't made the star complacent. He's still gung-ho about swimming with a bunch of deadly sharks in the Bahamas for Blue. He's still game to try new set-ups like Nagesh Kukunoor's Eight By Ten, fight. Bottom-line, this superstar aims to please.