25 and counting

Akshay Kumar turned a year older on September 10. He talks about being consistently successful for 25 years in Bollywood and more.

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You’ve completed 25 years in the industry. How does it feel?

It feels like I’ve only just begun. I may be happy, even amazed and proud that I’m still here. But my journey is still a long and winding one. There’s much to do and even more people to please. If I’m still here in the coming 25 years, then maybe I’ll celebrate. But for now, I’m going to reminisce the good times. A quarter of a century is a long time to be in love with what you do. And it’s a relationship, which I for sure don’t want to let go of. Cheers to the next 25 years!

What would you attribute your staying power to?

Massive amount of good parenting, a dash of good looks and bucket loads of discipline! One cannot survive a day in this industry without at least two of these qualities. But for me, I wouldn’t be anything without my parents and my discipline. This is the base that has kept me alive and kicking. Plenty more to come though. So, let’s not act as though this is the end. It’s a milestone, not a funeral.

What’s the secret of remaining consistent in the industry?

Learning when to care and when to kill yourself for your passion, when to step back and when not to give a damn about anything or anyone and when to keep calm and carry on. (Laughs) No wait, I’m a Punjabi, we don’t know how to ‘keep calm’. The industry is cynical; there are only a few ways to survive. Personally, I followed Bruce Lee’s advice and ‘became like water’. You can crash into rocks, you can flow like a river, or you can be still like a pond. Just be like water, there’s no beginning and no end. Just be you…

If Akshay Kumar had to be introduced in 2015, what genre would he chose?

I would make a silent movie… (Grins) Actions speak louder than words.

Does a Friday give you the jitters even today?

Fridays don’t give me jitters; they haven’t for a long time. After 25 years, I’ve learnt to deal with whatever life has to throw at me. I’ve learnt to catch just about everything...good, bad, or indifferent. What Fridays do give me is a reality check, every single time; they’re never about how great you are. Fridays are about how great you could be, especially for your audience. Being nervous doesn’t change anything. Being humble and quietly accepting is the only thing one can do.

ever-green: Akshay Kumar