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'Men are from mars and women are from heaven'
Akshay Kumar gives us action, romance and comedy, all packaged in the same film, Kambakkht Ishq. The film also features the glamorous Kareena Kapoor and Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh. Directed by Sabbir Khan, Kambakkht Ishq looks like a great way to spend a July afternoon.
Akshay tells Patcy N why we must look forward to this film, and what is the most difficult thing for him.
What's your role in Kambhakkth Ishq?
I play a male chauvinist pig, who thinks he's right because he is a man, and that he is superior to women. But he is brought down to the ground realities and explained to that women are far stronger, and more intelligent than men.
Do you agree with that?
Yes. I believe men are from mars and women are from heaven. I have just finished shooting the Fear Factor episodes and there were about 13 women and men. You see some difficult stunts done by women, which men were scared to do. And they have managed it faster than the men.
'I don't design my looks for my films'
Yes, my look in Kambakkht Ishq is very different. But I don't design my looks for my films -- my designer takes care of that. My fashion designers discuss and show me pictures of some clothes. If I like them, I say yes. Then they either make those outfits or buy it from the stores.
How was working with Kareena?
I have worked with Kareena in seven films. She was always confident but over the years, she has become a very confident actress. She was fantastic in Jab We Met. I have worked with her sister, Karisma, in 12 films. I have done 19 films with the family, so we're like an extended family now.
What about working with first-time director Sabbir Khan?
I have worked with many first-time directors. Most of my hits are with first-time directors. I suppose this one will do well too.
Sabbir is a brilliant director and very honest. He has worked hard to come up. I have known him for a long now. He was an assistant to David Dhawan on Mujhse Shaadi Karoge. Sajid Nadiadwala and I had decided to give him a film to direct at that time only, when he sent us this story.
'Just sharing space with Sylvester Stallone was memorable'
Yes. We chatted a lot. He told me that he had a problem with heights, that he hated heights. Yet, he did a stunt that required him to be at a height. He also told me that he had knee pain all the time. I told him that I had it too. People, who perform stunts, often have problems with their knees. So we shared remedies. Just sharing space with him was a memorable event.
You have worked with Sajid Nadiadwala in two films -- Jaan-e-man and Heyy Babyy. Are you his lucky mascot?
Sajid and I go a long way. We were in the same school. We would take the same school bus everyday -- he stayed in Versova and I stayed in Bandra.
'I would lie if I said I don't get scared'
I play a stuntman but the film is a romantic comedy. So there aren't many action sequences. I have done a couple of stunts.
I enjoy performing stunts; I don't find them difficult. If I get up in the morning and I know that I have to do a stunt, then I'm totally charged up.
Like I shot with 40 sharks in Blue. I was so excited -- I was taken first class to the Bahamas, put up in a five star hotel. I knew I had to go 150 feet below sea level to see the shark and there would be many people taking care of me when I was down. And the producer was paying me for this enjoyment. What more do you want in life!
Weren't you scared?
Yes I was. I would lie if I said I don't get scared. After all, they are sharks! I still remember an incident where my life was saved. I hit my head on a rod when I was underwater. Sharks smell blood fast, so all of them started moving in. One boy took dead fish and started throwing them in another direction to divert them while the other divers pulled me out. Within 20 seconds, I was out of the water.
'I am not going to Hollywood'
This is a story of a Hollywood stuntman, that's why we have Hollywood actors in this film. Who gets a chance to shoot at the Kodak theatre? We stayed at the Universal Studios for a month and shot the film there. I remember days when we had to pay to go and see the Universal Studio, days when I had Sylvester Stallone's posters on my walls. But now, I was sitting in Universal Studios inside a vanity van, working with Sylvester Stallone.
I am not going to Hollywood, I am bringing Hollywood here. I am trying to make them understand that we make very good films, and many films. And they agree.
I was just talking to Denise Richards. I told her that she'd be surprised to know how many people will watch this film of hers and her earlier films.
I am not catering to any particular type of audience. I'm also doing De Dhana Dhan, where I'm a pauper. So I'm catering to Indian audiences too. Films are made for everyone.
'I am a greedy man'
You have achieved so much in life. Any desires left?
I am a greedy man. And it is always good to be greedy. I have a lot of desires. I am working towards them but cannot share them with you.
My desires keep changing. Desires that I had 10 years ago have no relevance today. Today, I am a successful man and my desires have changed accordingly. They have become bigger.
You have four releases this year. How do you manage so many releases every year?
I can shoot so many movies because of my punctuality. I come on the sets on time, and finish my work on time.
Why did you skip the IIFA awards?
I am trying to finish all the promotion work as soon as possible, as I'm going on holiday to New York and Disneyland with my family. My son's school vacation is on, so I'm taking him out.
'I don't think my son is my fan at all'
Husband. Father. Actor. Which role is the best, according to you?
Cricketer Yuvraaj Singh is a good bowler, batsman and fielder. But if anyone asks what he is best at, it will be difficult for him to answer. Likewise, I find it difficult to answer this question. But I am a good father and husband. And I am trying my best to be a better actor.
What's the most difficult thing for Akshay Kumar?
Holidays. When I'm shooting, many people are taking care of me. But when I am on holiday, I have to take care of my wife and kid. I have to take care of the travel details, hotel reservations... I find that difficult.
Your son must be your biggest fan.
I don't think he's my fan at all. I'm sitting with him all the time, so why will he watch my films? He is busy watching Tom & Jerry. But I don't ask him which his favourite film is. We don't discuss work.
Does your son want to be an actor like you?
No, I don't see any such inclination. He's a kid, a school kid. I want him to have a normal life. I want him to be what he wants to, as I was brought up my father. My father did not pressure me to take up any profession. He did not want me to fulfil his incomplete dreams. I want to do the same with my son.
He is learning martial arts. But I don't train him. Kids take their fathers for granted. They learn from their teachers.
'I am not bitter or sacred'
Your Levis jeans controversy must have affected you badly?
Not at all. But it has hit Levis in a good way -- their sales have gone up by 25 percent.
Did this controversy make you bitter?
No, I am not bitter or sacred. I did not do anything wrong. I am a pure man. I would like to be unbuttoned by my wife and I still say that I have not done anything wrong.
'I don't analyse my films once they release'
The year did not start well for you. You had two flops. Do you analyse what went wrong?
No, I don't analyse my films once they release. But I am very proud of 8X10 Tasveer. It does not matter whether the film works or not. But I did something different. In our country, artistic films don't work well.
Is there pressure on you because your last few films didn't do well?
The pressure is always there, whether 8X10 had fared well or not. That's why I am here giving interviews. I put 70-80 days into a film, perform daring stunts, so you want that film to do well. So there is a lot of pressure.
Katrina says you are her favourite actor. Who is your favourite actress?
I have a long list -- it will take a whole day. I have worked with many actresses -- from Rekha, Sridevi, Madhuri, Juhi to Deepika.
'I don't mind co-producing films'
You are doing a film with Nikhil Advani, even though your last film with him -- Chandni Chowk To China -- did not do well?
Yes. But nothing has been finalised yet. It's too early to talk about it.
Do you want to produce films?
No, though I have co-produced Singh is Kinng. But I don't have time to produce films on my own, as they need a lots of attention. But I don't mind co-producing films.