Akshay Kumar life and biography

Akshay Kumar, born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in over 90 Bollywood films.

During the 1990s, Kumar primarily acted in action films such as Khiladi (1992), Mohra (1994), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995) and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), and got particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi Series". He performed in romantic films like Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Dhadkan (2000) as well as dramatic films such as Ek Rishtaa (2001). His comic performances in films such as Hera Pheri (2000), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Garam Masala (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005) met with acclaim. His success further rose in 2007, when he starred in four consecutive commercial hits. In 2008, the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Law on Kumar in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema. In 2009, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.

Early life

Akshay Kumar was born in Amritsar, Punjab to a Punjabi family. His father was a government employee. From a very young age, he was recognised as a performer, particularly as a dancer. Kumar was raised in Delhi's Chandni Chowk neighbourhood before moving to Mumbai. In Mumbai, he lived in Koliwada, which was another Punjabi dominated area. He studied at Don Bosco School and then Guru Nanak Khalsa College (King's Circle), where he participated in sports with Janpal Singh.

He studied martial arts in Bangkok and worked as a chef. He then came back to Mumbai, where he started teaching martial arts. One of his students happened to be a photographer and recommended him to do modelling. The student gave him a modelling assignment for a small company. For his two hours posing in front of the camera, Kumar got Rs. 5,000, compared to his previous monthly salary of Rs. 4,000. That was one of the main reasons why he chose to be a model. After a couple of months of modelling, Kumar was offered a lead role by producer Pramod Chakravarthy for the movie Deedar.

Career

Kumar made his Bollywood acting debut with the 1991 film Saugandh, which was followed by the 1992 thriller film Khiladi. In 1994, his action films Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Mohra which were among the highest grossing films of the year. Later that year, Yash Chopra signed him for the romantic film Yeh Dillagi which was also a success. He received appreciation for his performance in this film, where he played a romantic role which was different compared to his action roles. He would consequently receive his first nominations for Best Actor award at the Filmfare and Star Screen ceremonies. During the same year, Kumar also had success with films like Suhaag and the low budget action film Elaan. All these achievements, promoted Kumar as one of the most successful actors of that year.

In 1995, along with his share of unsuccessful movies, he starred in the third film in his Khiladi series Sabse Bada Khiladi, which was a hit. He proved to have success with the Khiladi series, as in the next year he starred in the fourth successful film with Khiladi in the title, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi opposite Rekha and Raveena Tandon. The film became one of the highest grossing films of the year.

In 1997, Kumar was seen in a supporting role in Yash Chopra's hit film Dil To Pagal Hai, for which he received a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award nomination. In the same year, he attempted a comedy role with the fifth film in the Khiladi series, Mr and Mrs Khiladi. Unlike his previous films with Khiladi in the title, the film failed commercially. In the same way as this film, his next Khiladi releases in the following years went on to fail at the box office. In 1999, Kumar received critical acclaim for his roles in the films Sangharsh and Jaanwar. Whilst the former did not make a profit at the box office, the latter turned out to be a success.

In 2000 he starred in the comedy Hera Pheri (2000) which was a commercial success. He also starred in the romantic film Dhadkan later that same year which performed moderately at the box office. In 2001, Kumar played a negative role in the film Ajnabee. The film won him much acclaim as well as his first Filmfare Award for Best Villain. Kumar played a role as role as a blind man in Aankhen.

Following Hera Pheri, Kumar starred in a number of comedy films, including Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). and Garam Masala (2005). The films succeeded at the box office and his performance in the latter earned him his second Filmfare Award, for Best Comedian. Apart from his action, comedy and romantic roles, Kumar displayed a flair for dramatic roles in films such as Ek Rishtaa (2001), Aankhen (2002), Bewafaa (2005) and Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005).

In 2006 he starred in a sequel to Hera Pheri titled Phir Hera Pheri. As was the former, the sequel became a huge success at the box office. Later that year he starred alongside Salman Khan in the romantic musical Jaan-E-Mann. The film was a well anticipated release, and despite receiving positive reviews from critics, did not do as well as expected at the box office. Though the film under-performed, his role as a shy, lovable nerd was praised. He ended the year with the comedy Bhagam Bhag, which was a success. In that same year, he led the Heat 2006 world tour along with fellow stars Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and Celina Jaitley.

2007 proved to be Kumar's most successful year during his career in the industry, and as described by box office analysts, "probably the best ever recorded by an actor, with four outright hits and no flops." His first release, Namastey London, was critically and commercially successful, and his performance earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare. Critic Taran Adarsh wrote of his performance in the film, "he's sure to win the hearts of millions of moviegoers with a terrific portrayal in this film." His next two releases, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, were box office successes as well. Kumar's last release of the year, Welcome, did extremely well at the box office, receiving a blockbuster status and simultaneously becoming his fifth successive hit. All of Kumar's films which released that year did well in the overseas market as well.

Kumar's first film of 2008, Tashan, marked his comeback to the Yash Raj Films banner after 11 years. Although much anticipated by the public, the film was a critical and commercial failure. His second film, Singh Is Kinng was a huge success at the box office and broke the first-week worldwide record of Om Shanti Om, the previous highest figure. His next film was the animated film Jumbo. The year also saw Kumar making his small screen debut as the host of the successful show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi. He later returned to host the show's second season in 2009.

In 2009, Kumar featured opposite Deepika Padukone in the Warner Bros.-Rohan Sippy production Chandni Chowk to China. Directed by Nikhil Advani, the film was a critical and commercial failure at the box office. Kumar's next release was 8 x 10 Tasveer. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the film was a critical and commercial failure. His next release was Kambakkht Ishq. Kumar's film Blue was released on 16 October 2009. Blue collected about Rs. 42 crores at the box-office. His release in 2009 was Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan.

He then appeared in the 2010 comedy, House Full, directed by Sajid Khan which garnered the second-highest opening weekend collection of all time. Kumar's next release was Khatta Meetha, directed by Priyadarshan. He also now hosting MasterChef India a cooking game show on STAR Plus.

Personal life

Kumar earlier dated several of his colleagues, such as Shilpa Shetty and Raveena Tandon. After being engaged twice to actress Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, he married her on 14 January 2001. Their son named Aarav was born in September 2002.

A First Information Report was registered by the Vakola Police on April 2009 against Akshay Kumar and his wife Twinkle Khanna under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code for an act during the Lakme Fashion Week in which Khanna unbuttoned the jeans of Kumar.

Filmography

1991 Saugandh
1992
Dancer
Mr Bond
Khiladi
Deedar
1993
Ashaant
Dil Ki Baazi
Kayda Kanoon
Waqt Hamara Hai
Sainik
1994
Elaan
Yeh Dillagi
Jai Kishen
Mohra
Main Khiladi Tu Anari
Ikke Pe Ikka
Amaanat
Suhaag
Nazar Ke Samne
Zakhmi Dil
Zaalim
Hum Hain Bemisaal
1995
Paandav
Maidan-E-Jung
Sabse Bada Khiladi
1996
Tu Chor Main Sipahi
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi
Sapoot
1997
Lahoo Ke Do Rang
Insaaf: The Final Justice
Daava
Tarazu
Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi
Dil To Pagal Hai
Aflatoon
1998
Keemat: They Are Back
Angaaray
Barood
1999
Aarzoo
International Khiladi
Zulmi
Sangharsh
Jaanwar
2000
Hera Pheri
Dhadkan
Khiladi 420
2001
Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love
Ajnabee
2002
Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya
Aankhen
Awara Paagal Deewana
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani
2003
Talaash: The Hunt Begins...
Andaaz
2004
Ghar Grihasti
Khakee
Police Force: An Inside Story
Aan: Men at Work
Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
Hatya: The Murder
Aitraaz
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo
2005
Insan
Bewafaa
Waqt: The Race Against Time
Garam Masala
Deewane Huye Paagal
Dosti: Friends Forever
2006
Family - Ties of Blood
Mere Jeevan Saathi
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Phir Hera Pheri
Jaan-E-Mann
Bhagam Bhag
2007
Namastey London
Heyy Babyy
Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Om Shanti Om
Welcome
2008
Tashan
Singh Is Kinng
Jumbo
Delhi-6
2009
Chandni Chowk to China
8 X 10 Tasveer
Kambakkht Ishq
Blue
De Dana Dan
2010
Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai
House Full
Khatta Meetha
Action Replayy
Tees Maar Khan
Helloo India
2011
Patiala House
Thank You
Aasman

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