Akshay Kumar swings into action

It’s time for jubilation in tinsel town with the two-month long producers’ strike over and filmmakers swinging into action vying for the earliest dates to release their films that have been long in the waiting.

Among the biggies is Sajid Nadiadwala’s “Kambakkht Ishq” starring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, which will release on July 3, 2009.

Directed by Sabbir Khan, “Kambakkht Ishq” is a remake of the Kamal Haasan starrer Tamil hit “Pammal K Sambandam” and is an action comedy – Akki’s favourite genre. No wonder Akshay is hoping to make a resounding comeback after the failure of two of his films this year – “Chandni Chowk to China” and “8x10 Tasveer”.

“You people must be missing all the ‘masala’ (due to the strike). Both of us (media and Bollywood) need each other. Here’s my ‘masala’ film ‘Kambakkht Ishq’… come and take away all the ‘masala’,” said Akshay.

Excerpts from an interview:

Bollywood’s No.1 stunt hero playing a stuntman on reel. How has the experience been?

I thoroughly enjoyed my character. It was fun as well as hard work put together. The film is a romantic comedy about an Indian stuntman who takes Hollywood by storm but cannot find true love because he hates a few things in women.

Are there things you hate in a woman in real life as well?

This is just a character that I’m playing. And it’s this character which makes the film more interesting. If I do not play it as it was narrated, why will you like it? In real life I actually admire women. There’s no question of hating them.

You’ve done 14 films with Karisma Kapoor and this is your 7th with Kareena. Comment…

‘Meine inke khandaan ka theka le rakha hai’ (I’ve taken on the contact of their family). Now I will wait to work with Kareena’s kids. (Laughs)

What differences did you notice while working in Hollywood as compared to Bollywood?

The Hollywood style of working is so systematic that you feel so secure. It is not like the Bollywood style at all.

Here in our industry, no agreement is signed. But in Hollywood an elaborate agreement is signed so as to avoid any complications. The sets are erected with proper care with no chances of any hazard while shooting.

But in Bollywood it is done at random. In fact, we jump without any box. Even if the area is wet, the masterji when asked would say, ‘Kood ja, kuch nahi hai’ (Jump down no problems).

Since I belong to Bollywood, I have learnt the hard way. And to tell you the truth, it makes one bold and tough.

And what has the 40plus Akshay Kumar learnt after working with the 60plus Sylvester Stallone?

Oh it was fun and at the same time a great learning experience. He astonished me especially when I had to say my dialogues. I could hear him repeat much before I could while rehearsing. He had learnt the dialogues of each and every co-artiste sharing screen space with him.

While producer Sajid Nadiadwala is an old favourite, how has it been working with debutant director Sabbir Khan?

I am with Sajid since the time I did ‘Judwa’ with him. One thing I have noticed in him is that he rises slowly and gradually. Sajid mounts the film on the floors only after getting into the minutest details of the script. Then there is no looking back for him.

And undoubtedly, Sabbir has done a brilliant job. I really love to work with new talents as I see a greed for work in them. They try to bring new things in order to bring forth their best.

According to reports there is a lip-lock scene in your film…did you have any inhibitions?

Aare yaar, it is a film and I was comfortable with it.