Deepti D.
Rajiv Bhatia, born: Delhi, living: Mumbai, Height: 5’11 … hey hey don’t worry people, this is not a matrimonial service started by me, well but doesn’t all these details connect you to someone known. Someone who loves to do adventure, someone who loves dancing and loves action. Yes, you guessed it right, we are talking about our very own ‘Khiladi Kumar’ … Rajiv Om Prakash Bhatia aka Akshay Kumar!
Akshay Kumar has a typical rag to riches story and someone who rose in the top bracket of Bollywood without having any God father which is a must in this industry. His story is an inspiration for all those who believe in hard work and dedication and how a simple man from Delhi is now one of the most sought after heroes of our times.
Akshay Kumar was born in a middle class family of Amritsar as Rajiv Om Prakash Bhatia. He lived in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area and later shifted to Mumbai where he completed his education. Right from beginning, Akshay was interested in the performing arts and to pursue his dream he went to Bangkok to learn martial arts after acquiring a black belt in Taekwondo in India. In Bangkok, he enhanced his skills and learnt a form called Muay Thai. Since he had to fund his living, he started working as a chef and waiter there. After coming back to India, he started teaching martial arts here and during this time, one of his students who was also an aspiring photographer, suggested him modelling as he was good looking and also had a great body, thus this is how Akshay got his 1st modelling assignment. He was so fascinated by the glamour and money, that he decided to pursue modelling full time.
The next step after modelling was obviously films, and hence Rajiv Bhatia became Akshay Kumar and try his luck there. But everything is not so easy in the big bad world of Bollywood and indeed it was difficult for him too. With no star parents or a God father, Akshay had to rely only on his talent and looks. He did some movies but they sank without a trace, however his dancing abilities and his love for stunts was noticed by producers. His first successful box office hit was the murder mystery ‘Khiladi’ and after that there was no looking back for him. The song ‘wada raha sanam’ has been among the top romantic songs of the 90’s and is still liked by many. His next movie ‘Yeh Dillagi’ showed the masses that he could not only dance, do stunts but can also do serious acting. Later in the 90’s he did the blockbuster ‘Mohra’ and the song ‘Tu cheez badi hai mast mast’ is still a rage. He got the tag of ‘Khiladi Kumar’ after his series of movies bearing the same name… Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi’, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, Akshay became the ideal ‘action cum romantic’ hero.
With movies like ‘Aflatoon’ he tried another genre which was comedy and he aced in that too. So now the producers started seeing him as a multi-talented hero. But Akshay wanted more and with ‘Ajnabee’ he was successful in portraying a villain too and he was much appreciated by the masses and critics. Not to fall into any particular bracket he did ‘Dhadkan’ which showed his soft romantic side too.
The ‘Hera Pheri’ series with seasoned actors like Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty showed his superb sense of humour with impeccable timing. His acting skills improved with every movie he acted in … be it the police officer in ‘Khaki’ or the roadside romeo of ‘Welcome’. He got in touch with his roots by playing a sardar in the ‘Singh” series… Singh is King and Singh is Bling.
And then came a time, when he was not in dearth of roles and that’s when he tried to focus on meaningful cinema. Movies like Special 26, Rowdy Rathore, Gabbar is back, Oh My God and Baby highlighted the current issues of the society. Well no, he was not interested in becoming another Manoj Kumar and shout India India on top of his voice, but these movies showed the serious side of Akshay’s acting and also focus on the issues that were crippling our society every day.
But in between this serious cinema, he also did some non-stop nonsense movies like the Houseful series which were complete nonsense but great success… still wondering what made Akki do these movies. Airlift in 2016 was a major turning point. Not only the movie which was based on a real life evacuation story got him accolades but his acting won both the critics and masses heart. The movie is also famous for its very soothing melody ‘Soch na sake’
After riding on the success ladder for so many years, Akshay Kumar is back with another much awaited movie- RUSTOM. Inspired from the much talked about 1959 case of a Navy Officer K.M Nanavati, who shot his wife’s lover. The case at that time received a lot of media coverage after which he was earlier declared not guilty, but later was convicted and given life imprisonment. The trailer and the songs of the movie has already generated a high curiosity levels and people are looking forward to this much anticipated movie, which is due to release on 12th August.
With immense acting talent and the ability to immerse in the skin’s character has always been Akshay’s forte, this movie is a short shot on everyone’s bucket list and a probable hit too. So all you Akshay Kumar fans, which includes me also, sit up straight, fasten your seat belts and go watch Rustom and judge yourself whether he is a traitor, a patriot or a murderer.
Akshay Kumar has always been a people’s hero, someone who every common man can relate to and it can be attributed to the humble beginnings that have kept him grounded till date. Way to go Akki… just remain the way you are always…
