Waqt is my story: Akshay

“The relationship between Amitji and me in the Waqt excites me about it” - Akshay

By IndiaFM News Bureau, April 19th, 2005 - 1100 hrs IST


After a decade of being the uncrowned prince of machoism, Akshay Kumar donned a new cap. Substantial and heavy-duty emotional roles became his priorities. Although he was liked in his 'Khiladi' avtars, audiences beg for more of his 'Ram' avtars today. Breaking the 'action hero' tag and achieving the stature he always desired, Akshay speaks about his much-awaited Waqt and why is it close to his heart, exclusively with IndiaFM.

First Aankhen and now Waqt, what is it that gets you clicking with Vipul?
Well the most important thing is that he is a great human being I enjoy working with him, he is honest and he is different. He wants to make different films. Aankhen was about three blind men and this is about father and son, so on the whole he likes to make different films.

You play AB's son, what kind of a son were you? Any references that you drew from real life while performing?
Well the story of the film 50- 60 % is like my story and how I was brought up, so I didn't take up references from anywhere outside I knew it by heart.

Your Alsatian chase in Waqt reminds us of the action days. Are you still as charged about action as you were in your hay days?
I still do action all the time, maybe I have lessened it down for a while because I don't want to be called only an action hero, I was fed up with this image. After a long time I succeeded in removing this tag and now I do different kind of roles. And about the Alsatian chase, well its one of the deadliest action scene I have ever done. In the second last shot I was literally bitten by a dog on my cheek. But it was fun.

Miraksam, Holi track, there is a whole lot of dancing that you are doing. How do you rate yourself as a dancer?
I wouldn't say that I am a very good dancer, but I do whatever little I can with my heart. I don't focus on the steps; I sway along with the lyrics. I am not a perfect dancer at all. I enjoy dancing that's why I succeed in doing lot of good numbers; I have done many dance numbers earlier also. And my favourite in this movie is the Holi song.

There is a hi-tension tandav sequence in the film. Tell us about that.
Oh that just comes for about 30-35 seconds and I had to learn it for about 2 days. Its not a hi-fi kind of tandav dance, let me be honest about it.

The movie talks about father son bonding, from what we gather; you are extremely fond of your son. What is the equation like?
Well I have seen both sides of the relationship, I was a son first and now I am a father myself. My father used to dote on me and now I dote on my son. This film has been very easy for me to work on.

A family drama that you recently enjoyed watching?
I have seen Waqt and to be honest I have enjoyed watching it.

What is it about this film that excites Akshay most?
The relationship portrayed between Amitji and me.

Any memorable on the sets incident?
Well, I remember while shooting for the Holi song, how Priyanka got a shock from the van she was sitting in. I could see her fly from her van straight outside the door. It was very shocking to see her getting electrocuted and flying out of the van.

After all the rumors and gossip is it awkward to work with a co-star?
No, not at all.