Akshay Kumar, film actor
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Personal details
Full name Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia
Born: September 9, 1967 in Amritsar
Struggle
Before becoming the superstar that he is today, years ago, Akshay started off by selling kundan jewellry at Mohammad Ali Road in Mumbai. When he first ventured into the world of entertainment, he was shooed away by a security guard for standing against the wall of a plot. As destiny favoured him, his fate changed and ironically he now owns the same plot of land and lives there with his family!
Lesser known facts
Akshay Kumar: lesser known facts
Akki's real name is not Akshay Kumar. He was born Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia but changed his name to enter Bollywood. Akshay, who was born in Amritsar, lived in Delhi before moving to Mumbai. He later went to learn martial arts in Bangkok where he learnt Muay Thai. He also holds a black belt in Taekwondo. Before Akshay made his debut with Saugandh in 1991, he was a trained martial artist and even served as a chef and waiter in Bangkok. On his return from Bangkok, Akshay started teaching martial arts and that was when a student noticed him and asked him to try for modelling. His entry into cinema was also accidental. Once, when Akshay was on his way for an ad shoot to Bangalore, he missed his flight and ended up at a film studio with his portfolio. That evening itself, Akki got selected to play a lead role in Deedar.
Very few know that the actor made a brief appearance in the Mahesh Bhatt's Aaj starring Kumar Gaurav. He played a martial arts instructor in that film. In spite of his physique, the actor loves to gorge on the fattening fruit Mango and loves home made Punjabi food and Thai cuisine. Is said to be a stickler for discipline and is a fitness freak. His passion for martial arts led him to host a documentary for National Geographic Channel titled Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar.
He won the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Award in 2004 for his outstanding contribution to cinema. He also has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Windsor, which was bestowed upon him in 2008. He received this honour for his contribution to cinema and social work. Although he won a Filmfare for Best Villain in 2001 for his role in Ajnabee and a Filmfare for Best Comic Actor for Garam Masala, he's never won a Filmfare for Best Actor till date.
He has worked in eight Khiladi films-'Khiladi', 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari', 'Sabse Bada Khiladi', 'Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi', 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi', 'International Khiladi' and 'Khiladi 420' and Khiladi 786. In Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, he almost broke his neck and back when he lifted WWF champion Undertaker who weighed 350 pounds! Akshay is a fan of WWE Superstar Kane whom he met at his house in Mumbai in 2010.
Had a Casanova image in Bollywood and allegedly dated most of his co stars including Ayesha Jhulka, Shilpa Shetty, Raveena Tandon and Twinkle Khanna. Was a huge fan of later superstar Rajesh Khanna who also happened to be his father in law as Akki finally tied the knot with Twinkle.
Amongst his favourite actors, Akki likes the work of Jackie Chan, Amitabh Bachchan and Danny Denzongpa and his favourite film is said to be Life is Beautiful. Is said to be a big fan of Ayurvedic medicines. His best friends are said to be builder Vicky Oberoi and Ajay Virmani, both of whom are not from the industry. When Akshay started his career, he faced competition from contemporaries like Awinash Wadhavan, Ronit Roy, Kamal Sadanah, Prithvi and Ravi Behl but only Ronit Roy remains in the limelight today for his work on Television and in cinema. Is a self confessed fan of late superstar Rajesh Khanna and incidentally, the actor ended up marrying his daughter Twinkle. Like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay was one of the few Indian celebrities invited for the Olympics torch-bearer rally.(Canada).
Akki's favourite holiday destinations include Bangkok, Goa and Canada and the actor is often in the news for taking a family vacation to Goa. Was the original choice for films like Phool Aur Kaante and Water. The roles eventually went to Ajay Devgn and John Abraham.
Love life
Akshay Kumar's alleged love affairs
Khiladi Akshay Kumar has had a colourful history as far as his love life is concerned. Starting from Pooja Batra to his wife Twinkle Khanna and Priyanka Chopra, the actor has had a series of alleged love affairs. Let's take a look at some of the famous ones.
Pooja Batra: The former model and actress may not be an active part of Bollywood anymore but she was once known for her closeness with the Khiladi Kumar. According to reports, Pooja and Akshay apparently dated each other before Akshay joined the film industry. Apparently, Pooja was a well-known model during her modeling days and it was because of her relationship with Akshay that gave him an entry inside the most happenings parties of B-town. However, after dating Pooja for sometime Akshay moved ahead to make his career in Bollywood.
Ayesha Jhulka: Next in Akshay's list of love affairs is Ayesha Jhulka. Both the stars tasted super stardom with their hit Bollywood film Khiladi. This successful film also gave birth to an alleged new relationship and that was of Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Jhulka. Akshay and Ayesha's sizzling chemistry soon became the talk of the town and gossip mongers soon started discussing about Akshay's new found love.
Raveena Tandon: Well, what can we say about this love story. While she was the ultimate bombshell of the 90's, he also emerged as the action king of his time. Both Raveena and Akshay not only sizzled onscreen with their chemistry in tip tip barsa paani and many other films but also off-screen. Akshay and Raveena's love blossomed in their film Mohra in 1994 and soon reports about them being in love started doing the rounds. Grapevine also has it that Akshay and Raveena had even secretly tied the knot but nothing concrete came out. But after being in a relationship for almost three years, Raveena broke up with Akshay apprently because of infidelity. In an interview to Stardust in 1999, Raveena went ahead to reveal that Akshay had promised to marry her the day she would finish her last shoot. She also even admitted of having apparently gotten secretly engaged to Akshay in a mandir. In one of her interviews post her break-up, Raveena Tandon said that loyalty meant everything to her. Raveena also revealed in the interview that while Akshay was engaged to her, he also got engaged to two other girls.According to her, Akshay kept their engagement a secret as he feared losing his female fans and thought the news could ruin his career.
Rekha: This was one of the most shocking and talked about love affairs of Bollywood. During the shooting of Akshay Kumar's one of the Khiladi series Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, he and veteran actress Rekha apparently had a short fling. During the shooting of the film Akshay and Rekha grew close to each other and the veteran actress was reported to be madly in love with him. In fact, Akki's then girlfriend Raveena had gotten to know about their affair and she had apparently asked Rekha to maintain a distance from the actor.
Shilpa Shetty: They together created fire on the screen with their hot chemistry. Their relationship gave birth to various controversies in Bollywood and after being in the eye of the media for almost a year, Shilpa decided to part ways with the Khiladi Kumar. According to media reports, Shilpa learnt about Akshay two timing her with her best friend Twinkle Khanna. After the break-up Shilpa and Akshay stayed away from each other for a few years. However, today everything is fine between the former couple as they have buried the hatchet and moved on in life.
Twinkle Khanna: After allegedly dating some of the beautiful women of the glamour industry, the Khiladi Kumar finally decided to shed his Casanova image and settle down in life. Akshay married superstars Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia's daughter Twinkle Khanna in 2001. Their wedding was a hush hush affair and not many knew about this marriage. Today, AKshay and Twinkle are proud parents of two children- Aarav and Nitara.
Priyanka Chopra: Even though Akshay was a married man, his flirtatious habits didn't change with time or so it is reported. After a few years of marriage, the actor was once again in the news for his alleged relationship with Bollywood bombshell Priyanka Chopra. Their on and off-screen chemistry was visible to everyone after they worked in films like "Andaaz", "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi", "Aitraaz" and "Waqt: Race against time". Though the two actors always stayed mum about the rumours of their fling, Twinkle's decision of not letting her husband work with Priyanka Chopra clearly indicated that there is no smoke without fire. Both Akshay and Priyanka don't talk to each other anymore and even ignore each other at social gatherings.
Filmography
As an actor
1987 Aaj
1991 Dancer
1991 Saugandh
1992 Deedar
1992 Khiladi
1992 Mr. Bond
1993 Ashaant
1993 Dil Ki Baazi
1993 Kayda Kanoon
1993 Sainik
1993 Waqt Hamara Hai
1994 Amaanat
1994 Elaan
1994 Hum Hain Bemisaal
1994 Ikke Pe Ikka
1994 Main Khiladi Tu Anari
1994 Jai Kishen
1994 Mohra
1994 Suhaag
1994 Yeh Dillagi
1994 Zaalim
1994 Zakhmi Dil
1995 Maidan-E-Jung
1995 Nazar Ke Samne
1995 Paandav
1995 Sabse Bada Khiladi
1996 Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi
1996 Sapoot
1996 Tu Chor Main Sipahi
1997 Aflatoon
1997 Daava
1997 Dil To Pagal Hai
1997 Insaaf: The Final Justice
1997 Lahoo Ke Do Rang
1997 Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi
1997 Tarazu
1998 Angaaray
1998 Barood
1998 Keemat: They Are Back
1999 Aarzoo
1999 International Khiladi
1999 Jaanwar
1999 Sangharsh
1999 Zulmi
2000 Dhadkan
2000 Hera Pheri
2000 Khiladi 420
2001 Ajnabee
2001 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love
2002 Aankhen
2002 Awara Paagal Deewana
2002 Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya
2002 Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani
2003 Andaaz
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins...
2004 Aan: Men at Work
2004 Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo
2004 Aitraaz
2004 Hatya: The Murder
2004 Khakee
2004 Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin
2004 Mitter Pyare Nu Haal Mureedan Da Kehna
2004 Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
2004 Police Force: An Inside Story
2005 Bewafaa
2005 Deewane Huye Paagal
2005 Dosti: Friends Forever
2005 Garam Masala
2005 Insan
2005 Waqt: The Race Against Time
2006 Bhagam Bhag
2006 Family: Ties of Blood
2006 Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
2006 Jaan-e-Mann: Let's Fall in Love... Again
2006 Mere Jeevan Saathi
2006 Phir Hera Pheri
2007 Bhool Bhulaiyaa
2007 Heyy Babyy
2007 Namastey London
2007 Welcome
2008 Jumbo
2008 Singh Is Kinng
2008 Tashan
2009 8 x10 Tasveer
2009 Chandni Chowk to China
2009 De Dana Dan
2009 Kambakkht Ishq
2009 Purab Ki Laila Paschim Ka Chaila: Hello India
2009 Blue
2010 Action Replayy
2010 Housefull
2010 Khatta Meetha
2010 Tees Maar Khan
2011 Chalo Dilli
2011 Desi Boyz
2011 Patiala House
2011 Thank You
2012 C.I.D. (TV series)
2012 Houseful 2
2012 Joker
2012 Khiladi 786
2012 OMG: Oh My God!
2012 Rowdy Rathore
2013 BhaJi in Problem
2013 Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!
2013 Special26
2013 Boss
2014 Holiday
As a producer
2011 Breakaway [??? Is this the same Akshay???]
2012 Joker
2013 72 Miles - Ek Pravas
As a playback singer
2008 Singh Is Kinng
2009 Chandni Chowk to China
