SEEDHI BAAT ON AAJ TAK

"I came to the industry empty handed"

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar spoke to Editor Prabhu Chawla on his life and struggle in the industry.

Q. You are in the industry for the past 14 years and worked in 102 films. Your last eight films have all been hits, but you still don't have the superstar tag.
A. I don't think anything is missing. I have a lot of films. I came into the industry empty handed. Now I have everything to make me believe I am a superstar.

Q. What was your first job like?
A.My first job fetched me Rs 4,000 per month. Then I got a modelling assignment for which I was paid Rs 12,000 for an hour. I was amazed.

Q. So how did success come?
A.I worked a lot. And I worked hard.

Q. Is it true that in the Hindi film industry, if you don't come under a big banner no matter how good an actor you are, you won't become a top star?
A. I am here for the past 15 years without any godfather. I belong to a middle-class family and whatever I have now I am happy with it.

Q. Do you get to spend time with your in-laws, Dimple and Rajesh Khanna?
A. Yes, I do. We go for outings every three or four months.

Q. Who is your role model in the industry?
A. My father is my role model.

Q. You changed your name quite a few times. Akshay Hariom Bhatia, Rajeev and Akshay. What's the secret?
A. The day I changed my name I got a visiting card printed. On that very day I signed my first film and got the first signing amount of Rs 5,000.

Q. You started out with a romantic film. Where would you put Garam Masala, your latest release?
A.That movie is like my real life.

Q. Your name is attached with a number of Bollywood actresses.
A. I was in a boy's school. I had never seen a girl before. So I keep staring at girls.

Q. No plans to take a shot at Hollywood?
A. No, I am happy in Hindustan and with my work in Indian movies.

Q. How important is nudity to the success of a film?
A. Nudity by itself won't work.

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