Indian Weekender was very proud to be able to chat to Akshay Kumar about his forthcoming movie, other areas of his life, his love for martial arts and also discover the lesser known sides to a star who is in no uncertain terms – the Boss.
Maya: Akshay, we are very excited to interview you. Please tell us a little bit about your upcoming movie Baby?
Akshay: I am playing a Special Forces Officer in the film and it has been directed by Neeraj Pandey. When I knew he was on board, I knew I had to get involved in the project! It’s been great working with him after Special 26, we’ve got this crazy chemistry and I’ve got such respect for him.
There are a lot of messages that will be conveyed through the film. While the trailer shows that the film deals with the issue of terrorism, I also want people to watch the film and realize the other messages that we want to convey.
Maya: Baby’s a bit of a strange title name for such a serious and hard hitting film?
Akshay : I was very surprised when I first heard the script but slowly I got to know about the importance of the title ‘Baby’ and realized that it could never have been anything else!
Maya: You play a Special Forces officer in ‘Baby’. Did you find your role similar to that of your role in ‘Holiday’?
Akshay: It’s true that I am playing another Special Forces role, but the characters are very different. Holiday was a real mix of genres, crossing between thriller and rom –com but Baby doesn’t really have that light hearted side. My role in Baby, Ajay, is a grim brutal character, as if Virat from ‘Holiday’ had lost his sense of humour. I did love that about Virat, he had two different sides to him, he was a really complex man. Yes, he had a social life and chased the girls, but he couldn’t ever switch off. I think that even my character in ‘Holiday’ had a line which he probably wouldn’t cross; Ajay is the sort of person who would do whatever was necessary to keep his country safe.
Maya: What sort of physical preparations did you do for the film?
Akshay: There were a lot of preparations I had to make for ‘Baby’. Physically, it was a very demanding film and so I upped my game in the gym! I do like to keep my body guessing so I love trying out new techniques and exercises.
The most recent discovery I made are these heavy wooden beads I bought in Singapore. I have 50 beads, which weigh about 2-3 kilos. The aim is to move them around your neck, which seriously works your core. If you do it wrong, the beads will drop. It works your cardio, so when you finish, it tones you up from the inside out."
Maya: What were the shooting scenes in the desert like?
Akshay: Quite crazy to be honest! It was 50 something degrees while we were out there so we just had to get it done as quickly as possible which wasn’t easy!
We needed rough desert terrain and an Arabian airport. Plus, we just couldn’t have shot it like that in Mumbai. They won’t close a part of the street for you – they’d rather close the shoot.”
Maya: Where do you find the time to star in 3 or 4 films a year?
Akshay: A lot of it goes down to hard work and organisation. I only spent 32 days on the set of ‘Baby’ and the whole film was filmed in about 50 or so days. That's because Neeraj has his script in place. I know I'm doing four films a year while others are doing one per year, sometimes one in two years. But I do these films very easily with a lot of free time in hand. In fact, I'm the only actor who takes so many holidays. I take at least eight days off every three months and a long month-and-a-half's vacation every year. So if I have time, what else do I do?
Maya: We are very keen to know more about your martial arts institute for women?
Akshay: I have always believed in equality for women, women having the same opportunities, strength and capabilities as men, and the power to achieve everything and anything they want to. Talking about what motivated me starting up this initiative - the self-defence of women in India has been a major concern lately and not only has it gained immense media attention in India for all the wrong reasons, but also internationally. With the support of young leader Aditya Thackrey, we commenced the procedure of starting free of cost self-defence classes for as many women as we can to counter offence this menace.
Maya: Why did you think this is the need of the hour?
Akshay: I think that in this day and age, it has become essential for women to know how to defend themselves. In fact, it is necessary for everyone to know how to defend and protect themselves if put in a difficult situation. My new Martial Arts Institute has the aim of teaching women not only the moves of self–defence, but also the techniques behind each move, and the state-of-mind and discipline needed to perform Martial Arts. Terrible crimes like domestic violence and rape occur against women everywhere in the world, and so it is vitally important that women know how to protect themselves.
Maya: What are your thoughts on women empowerment and the role men can play in it.
Akshay: I believe that in life everyone is equal and equally unique with special talents and gifts from God. No one should be discriminated against or made to feel inferior. For things like this I want to use the greatest gift and asset I have with me for the greater good – Martial Arts.
The self-defence of women in India has been a major concern lately and the mere thought that allows a man to feel that he can overpower a woman is wrong. I have always believed in equality for women, women having the same opportunities, strength and capabilities as men, and the power to achieve everything and anything they want to.
Maya: We have heard about your philanthropic work, please tell us more.
Akshay: I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth and like many of my colleagues and other professionals, we've had to work our damnedest to succeed and stay successful too. I’ve been incredibly lucky but there are far more people who aren’t as fortunate as I have been. Many of these people struggle to get hold of even the basic essentials that many of us take for granted. I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to share a part of what I have achieved and earned with someone less fortunate that I. Everyone deserves a chance to prosper and sometimes you just need a little extra help to push you along your way.
Maya: Do you have any New Year Resolutions?
Akshay: I don’t believe in making New Year resolutions. I believe in the simple philosophy of work hard, please my fans, do good work, & be a loving husband and father, and that’s it. I'm not displeased with anything that I do, I have no vices, no bad habits, there's nothing I need to cut back on. I just bring in the new year with a happy family, & I try very hard to keep them happy, that’s all that’s important to me…………….
For those of us who already love the Khiladion ka Khiladi, I am sure we love him even more in learning these other facets of his life. He has been an absolute inspiration for so many young people who have dreams and aspirations and to remain grounded even through the phenomenal success. Here's wishing Akshay Kumar the very best for his forthcoming release. May he continue to rule the silver screen for years to come.