Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Akshay Kumar: Wouldn't be surprised if I go through ups and downs again in my career

Superstar Akshay Kumar has seen both good and bad phases in his career and he believes it is important to learn from such experiences as nothing is permanent in life.

The actor said he has seen people write an obituary of his career after a string of flops but he has always made a strong comeback.


"I have been through this phase three times. So I wouldn't be surprised if I go through it again. The best way is to keep working hard. When I had delivered 14-15 flop films, everyone said 'Gaya Gaya' (he's gone gone) and then after giving hit films, I heard them saying, 'Aa Gaya Aa Gaya' (he's back, he's back). I remember these words.

"It is part of life and this happens to everybody, be it in personal or professional life. Basically, you have to take it all in your stride, be bold and face the next day," Akshay said in a group interview.

The 51-year-old actor is currently one of the most bankable stars in Bollywood, courtesy his back-to-back hits like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Gold and Kesari.

His ardent fans have given him the sobriquet 'Guarantee Kumar', owing to his recent performance at the box office, but Akshay believes a person's success is a result of good combination of hardwork and luck.

"Audience is very bold today and they don't care, they say what they feel is correct. I am glad the audience calls me that ('Guarantee Kumar'). But there is no guarantee of anything. There are times when I see a film and feel it will do wonders at the box office but then it doesn't work at all. So you don't know what will work, till it releases.

"After 30 years, I have realised that films work not just due to hard work, it is definitely needed, but you do need luck and it does make a lot of difference. I believe 70 per cent in luck and 30 per cent hard work," he added.

The actor is currently promoting his next release Mission Mangal, which is set to hit the theatres on the Independence Day.

The film is based on real-life scientists, who contributed to India's first interplanetary expedition, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), launched by Indian Research Space Organisation (ISRO) in 2013.

Akshay said of late, the efforts of India's premiere space agency have started getting recognised by everyone and he believes a part of the credit should go to the current government.

"I was reading an article in which it was written that earlier two to three per cent of the budget was given to space and science. Now it is 18 per cent. This government is going to focus on space science and all. So we see something like 'Chandrayan 2'.

"ISRO is there for 50 years but it has become very famous of late because we used to not talk about it earlier," he added.

Citing the example of Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who previously was the Defence Minister and is currently the Finance Minister of the country, Akshay said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is walking the talk when it comes to gender equality.

"There was a perception that only men can be a scientist or engineer but I believe a woman can be an equally good scientist or engineer. Things are changing in India so much today. In our country, we have a woman holding an important portfolio like finance or defence ministry."

Mission Mangal may have a niche topic at the centre but Akshay said the film also has a commercial aspect which helps in making it appealing to the masses.

"I have not made a documentary film. I have made a commercial cinema where there are elements of laughter, fun, emotions and two-three songs. When I made Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, I did add commercial elements to make it more appealing. You have to bring such stories on the big screen but in a commercial way," he said.

More For You

Great movies that made  a major impact in 2024
Pushpa 2: The Rule

Great movies that made  a major impact in 2024

ASJAD NAZIR

FROM commercial blockbusters to indie gems and international festival favourites, 2024 offered a diverse array of films that entertained and resonated with audiences.

Featuring a strong south Asian presence, these movies explored various themes in multiple languages, showcasing the immense possibilities of cinema. Eastern Eye reflects on the year with a list of the 21 best films of 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
25 reasons why 2025 will be an unforgettable year for south Asian entertainment
Songs of the Bulbul

25 reasons why 2025 will be an unforgettable year for south Asian entertainment

Eastern Eye

THIS year promises to be packed with popular entertainment, exciting surprises, unforgettable live events, top south Asian talents making their mark, and major celebrities delighting their devoted fans.

From celebrations of south Asian culture and promising newcomers to comeback stories, major films, engaging TV, captivating stage performances, remarkable music releases, and inevitable controversies, 2025 is shaping up to be a vibrant year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vikramaditya Motwane Black Warrant

Vikramaditya Motwane

Vikramaditya Motwane on 'Black Warrant': ‘There’s an intrigue about what happens in a prison’

FILMMAKER Vikramaditya Motwane, whose new Netflix series tells the story of a former superintendent of one of India’s most prominent jails, said it was a chance for him to explore a “tough and complicated” world.

Black Warrant has been adapted from the book Black Warrant: Confessions Of A Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta, a former superintendent of Tihar, and journalist Sunetra Choudhury

Keep ReadingShow less
The-Brutalist-Getty

The Brutalist won Best Drama Film, with Adrien Brody named Best Actor and Brady Corbet awarded Best Director. (Photo: Getty Images)

'The Brutalist' and 'Emilia Perez' lead Golden Globe wins

AT THE 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, The Brutalist, the story of a Holocaust survivor chasing the American dream, and Emilia Perez, a musical thriller about a Mexican drug lord transitioning to a woman, won the top awards of the evening.

The Brutalist took home the Golden Globe for Best Drama Film, with Adrien Brody earning Best Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of an architect trying to build a life in the United States. The film also claimed the Best Director award for Brady Corbet.

Keep ReadingShow less
Neil-Young-Getty

Young last performed at Glastonbury in 2009. (Photo: Getty Images)

Neil Young confirms Glastonbury performance after initial withdrawal

FOLK musician Neil Young has reversed his earlier decision to pull out of the Glastonbury music festival and will now headline the event, he announced alongside festival organisers on Friday.

Young had initially withdrawn from the festival, citing concerns over its "corporate control" through its association with the BBC. However, he later clarified that the decision was based on "an error in the information I received."

Keep ReadingShow less