Daily News & Analysis

Oct 20: Akshay Kumar has one regret: “No one wants to date me anymore — on screen that is,” he says with a smile, “I am always fighting for the girl and the other dude gets to keep her.” However, he is not ready to divulge yet if he loses Preity Zinta to Salman Khan in ‘Jaan-E-Mann’ which releases on Friday. The actor plays a geek in the movie.

“This is actually a different role. For many years, I have been stereotyped into this strait-jacket ‘looks good but can’t act’ mould. In ‘Jaan-E-Mann’, I have done everything other than what is associated with me. It is a big risk for me as an actor. But what is life without a few calculated risks?” he says.

Akshay says he looks back with a shudder at the first few years of his career. “For the first five years, all I did was hold a gun in one hand and a girl in another. I’m tired of that. I think real success comes from real recognition,” he says, adding, “There is no point in sticking to the familiar.”

His new-found attitude is what lead him to work with debutant director Shirish Kunder.

“Shirish has a young mind and I was sure he would have a fresh perspective on things. Now I realise he is a genius, and of course, Sajid (Nadiadwala, the producer) is a cool buddy,” he says.

There were reports that Sajid and he had a fight and reconciled recently. “I am not aware of any such thing. If at all, Sajid might be fighting alone; I was not present there,” he says laughing.

With his son Aarav growing up, is he more careful about the kind of films he signs? “Obviously as a father I want my son to be proud of what I do. I am sure Aarav wouldn’t have been proud of what I did earlier.”  And for those of you anxiously waiting to watch Akshay in his original action avatar, he says, “I will do some action movies next year.”