akshay kumar


akshay kumar

Akshay Kuma Rajiv Ha i Om Bha ia (bo 9 Sep embe 1967),4 k ow p ofessio ally as Akshay Kuma (p o ou ced əkˈʂəj kʊˈmɑːɾ), is a I dia -bo a u alised Ca adia 123 ac o a d film p oduce who wo ks i Hi di ci ema. I ove 30 […]


Akshay Kuma

Rajiv Ha i Om Bha ia (bo 9 Sep embe 1967),4 k ow p ofessio ally as Akshay Kuma (p o ou ced əkˈʂəj kʊˈmɑːɾ), is a I dia -bo a u alised Ca adia 123 ac o a d film p oduce who wo ks i Hi di ci ema. I ove 30 yea s of ac i g, Kuma has appea ed i some 100 films a d has wo seve al awa ds, i cludi g a Na io al Film Awa d fo Bes Ac o a d wo Filmfa e Awa ds. Kuma is amo g he mos p olific ac o s of Hi di ci ema.56 Nea ly half his films have bee comme cially successful.

Kuma bega his ca ee i 1991 wi h Sauga dh. His fi s comme cial success came wi h he ac io h ille Khiladi (1992), leadi g o he Khiladi film se ies.7 He oma ic movies i clude Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dhadka (2000), A daaz (2003) a d Namas ey Lo do (2007). He has played comedic oles i He a Phe i (2000), Mujhse Shaadi Ka ogi (2004), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) a d Si gh Is Ki g (2008). Kuma wo Filmfa e Awa ds fo Aj abee (2001) a d Ga am Masala (2005). Af e eceivi g favou able eviews fo Special 26 (2013), Baby (2015) a d Ai lif (2016), he wo he Na io al Film Awa d fo bes ac o i he h ille Rus om (2016). The social films Toile : Ek P em Ka ha (2017) a d Pad Ma (2018) a d he wa film Kesa i (2019) b ough fu he o ice, displayi g hemes of I dia a io alism.8

Kuma has also wo ked as a s u ac o .a I 2014, Kuma lau ched he TV eali y show Da e 2 Da ce. He ow s he eam Khalsa Wa io s i he Wo ld Kabaddi League. As of 201510 a d 2019, Kuma was o he Fo bes lis of highes paid e e ai e s i he wo ld, a ki g 52 d wi h ea i gs of $48.5 millio .11 a d he o ly Bollywood ac o o he lis .12 He is he fi s Hi di film ac o whose films’ domes ic e life ime collec io s c ossed ₹۲۰ billio (US$341.31 millio ) by 2013, a d ₹۳۰ billio (US$446.46 millio ) by 2016.131415 I 2020, he was a ked as he highes paid Bollywood ac o by Fo bes.16 He has eceived a ho o a y doc o a e f om he U ive si y of Wi dso (2008) a d he Padma Sh i he fou h-highes I dia civil ho ou (2009).

Some ime du i g o af e he 2011 Ca adia fede al elec io , he Co se va ive gove me g a ed Ca adia ci ize ship o Kuma by i voki g a li le-k ow law which allowed ci cumve i g he usual eside cy equi eme fo Ca adia immig a s.1 Acco di g o a fo me Co se va ive Pa y mi is e , To y Cleme , he ci ize ship was awa ded i e u fo Kuma ‘s offe of pu i g his s a powe o use o adva ce Ca ada-I dia ela io s, a d Ca ada’s ade ela io s, comme cial ela io s, i he movie sec o , i he ou ism sec o .1

Co e s

Ea ly life a d backg ou d

Kuma was bo i Am i sa , Pu jab, I dia,4 o Ha i Om Bha ia a d A u a Bha ia i a Pu jabi family.1718 His fa he was a a my office .19 F om a you g age, Kuma was ve y i e es ed i spo s. His fa he oo e joyed w es li g. He lived a d g ew up i Delhi’s Cha d i Chowk a d la e he moved o Bombay (p ese -day Mumbai) whe his fa he lef A my o become a accou a wi h UNICEF.20 Soo , his sis e was bo a d he family lived i Koliwada, a Pu jabi domi a ed a ea of Ce al Bombay.17

He eceived his school educa io f om Do Bosco High School, Ma u ga,21 simul a eously lea i g Ka a e. He e olled i Gu u Na ak Khalsa College fo highe educa io , bu d opped ou as he was o much i e es ed i s udies. He eques ed his fa he ha he wa ed o lea ma ial a s fu he , a d his fa he somehow saved mo ey o se d him o Thaila d. Kuma we o Ba gkok o lea ma ial a s a d lived i Thaila d fo five yea s lea i g Thai Boxi g.1722 Kuma also has a sis e , Alka Bha ia.23 Whe Kuma was a ee age , his fa he asked him wha he aspi ed o be. Kuma exp essed his desi e o become a ac o .24

Af e havi g ob ai ed a black bel i Taekwo do while i I dia,25 he s udied ma ial a s i Ba gkok, Thaila d, whe e he lea ed Muay Thai a d wo ked as a chef a d wai e .26 Af e Thaila d, Kuma we o wo k i Calcu a (p ese -day Kolka a) i a avel age cy, i Dhaka i a ho el as a chef27 a d Delhi whe e he sold Ku da jewelle y. Upo his e u o Bombay, he comme ced he eachi g of ma ial a s.20

Du i g his ime, he fa he of o e of his s ude s, himself a model co-o di a o , ecomme ded Kuma i o modelli g which ul ima ely led o a modelli g assig me fo a fu i u e show oom. Kuma effec ively made mo e mo ey wi hi he fi s wo days of shoo i g ha i his e i e mo h’s sala y, a d he efo e chose a modelli g ca ee pa h. He wo ked as a assis a fo pho og aphe Jayesh She h fo 18 mo hs wi hou payme o shoo his fi s po folio.2829 He also wo ked as a backg ou d da ce i va ious films.30 O e mo i g, he missed his fligh fo a ad-shoo i Ba galo e. Disappoi ed wi h himself, he visi ed a film s udio alo g wi h his po folio. Tha eve i g, Kuma was sig ed fo a lead ole by p oduce P amod Chak ava hy fo he movie Deeda .313233

Film ca ee

۱۹۹۱–۱۹۹۹

Kuma made his fi s appea a ce as he lead ac o opposi e Raakhee a d Sha ip iya i Sauga dh (1991). I he same yea , he ac ed i Kisho e Vyas-di ec ed Da ce , which eceived poo eviews.34 The followi g yea he s a ed i Abbas Mus a -di ec ed suspe se h ille , Khiladi, widely co side ed his b eak h ough ole.3536 A eview i The I dia Exp ess called he film a e g ossi g h ille a d desc ibed Kuma as imp essive i he lead pa , o i g his physical appea a ce, s o g sc ee p ese ce, a d comme di g him fo bei g pe fec ly a ease.37 His ex elease was he Raj Sippy-di ec ed de ec ive film M . Bo d, based o James Bo d.38 His las elease of 1992 was Deeda . I failed o pe fo m well a he box office.39

I 1993, he ac ed i he Keshu Ramsay-di ec ed bili gual film Ashaa alo gside D . Vish uva dha a d Ashwi i Bhave. All of his films eleased du i g 1993, i cludi g Dil Ki Baazi, Kayda Ka oo , Waq Hama a Hai a d Sai ik did o pe fo m well comme cially.40 I 1994, he appea ed i 11 fea u e films.41 He played a police i spec o i wo films: Samee Malka ‘s Mai Khiladi Tu A a i a d Rajiv Rai’s Moh a, bo h amo g he highes -g ossi g films of he yea .42 Fu he success came la e ha yea whe he s a ed i Yash Chop a-p oduced oma ce Yeh Dillagi, opposi e Kajol. O e of he yea ‘s bigges mai s eam successes, bo h he film a d his pe fo ma ce we e eceived well by c i ics, wi h The I dia Exp ess desc ibi g him as always depe dable a d si gli g ou his pe fo ma ce.43 His wo k i he film ea ed him his fi s omi a io fo Bes Ac o a he Filmfa e Awa ds44 a d S a Sc ee awa d.40 Du i g he same yea , Kuma also had success wi h films like Suhaag a d he low-budge ac io film Elaa . All hese achieveme s es ablished Kuma as o e of he mos successful ac o s of he yea , acco di g o Box Office I dia.45

Kuma p oved o have success wi h wha la e became k ow as he Khiladi se ies. He s a ed i he fou h a d fif h ac io h ille films wi h Khiladi i he i le: Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995) a d Khiladiyo Ka Khiladi (1996), bo h di ec ed by Umesh Meh a a d eleased o comme cial success. He played a dual ole i he fo me .46 Khiladiyo Ka Khiladi co-s a ed Rekha a d Ravee a Ta do .47 Du i g he film’s shoo i g Kuma was i ju ed, a d we o o eceive ea me i U i ed S a es.48 Shubh a Gup a of The I dia Exp ess w o e i a yea -e d eview, I was Akshay Kuma i Khiladiyo Ka Khiladi who packed he aisles, o doub abou i … He shoved his hai back i a slick li le po y ail, much like S eve Segal, wo e a kle-le g h g ea coa s, w es led wi h he fea some U de ake , a d walked away wi h he film.49

Kuma played a suppo i g ole i Yash Chop a-di ec ed oma ce, Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), co-s a i g Shah Rukh Kha , Madhu i Dixi a d Ka isma Kapoo , fo which he eceived his fi s omi a io fo he Filmfa e Bes Suppo i g Ac o Awa d.50 I he same yea , he s a ed opposi e Juhi Chawla i David Dhawa -di ec ed comedy M . a d M s. Khiladi, fif h i s alme of he Khiladi se ies. U like his p evious films of he se ies, i failed comme cially.51 Co side able success, howeve , came wi h a o he dual ole i he oma ic ac io film Afla oo . C i ic Khalid Mohamed, while c i ical of he film, app oved of Kuma ‘s effo : Akshay Kuma comes o life. Give some hi g eve sligh ly diffe e o do, he does ise o he occasio .52 His followi g eleases failed comme cial a d his caused a se back o his film ca ee .53 I 1999, Kuma played opposi e Twi kle Kha a i I e a io al Khiladi. The film u ed ou o be a ave age g osse a he box office.ci a io eeded He eceived c i ical acclaim fo his oles i he films Sa gha sh a d Jaa wa . Whils he fo me did o make a p ofi a he box office, he la e u ed ou o be a comme cial success a d ma ked his comeback.5455

۲۰۰۰–۲۰۰۶

I 2000, Kuma s a ed i he P iyada sha -di ec ed comedy He a Phe i alo gside Pa esh Rawal a d Su eil She y. The film which was a emake of Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaki g,56 became a comme cial success57 a d p oved o be a u i g poi i Kuma ‘s ca ee .58 Hi dus a Times o ed he film’s i e se po ayal of he su eali y of he huma co di io .59 He also s a ed i he Dha mesh Da sha -di ec ed oma ic d ama Dhadka la e ha same yea . The film pe fo med mode a ely a he box office57 bu Kuma was p aised fo his ac i g.6061 Rediff.com’s eview s a ed ha he had p oved ha he is di ec o ‘s ac o a d ha he has wo ked ha d o his ole is appa e .62 Tha same yea , he pe fo med some of his mos da ge ous s u s i Nee aj Vo a-di ec ed ac io h ille Khiladi 420, whe e he climbed a u i g pla e, s ood o op of he pla e flyi g a housa d fee i he ai , a d jumped f om he pla e o o a ho ai balloo . I a la e sce e, he is also see bei g chased by a ca , dodgi g bulle s, jumpi g off buildi gs, a d climbi g walls.63 His cha ac e i he film had wo ames a d his ole eceived mixed eviews.64 Suka ya Ve ma w o e Nega ive oles a d Akshay Kuma do ‘ go ha d-i -ha d. … Akshay is idiculously ove he op a d i i a i g o he co e. Howeve , he ma ages a dece pe fo ma ce as he sobe a d suave A a d.65 Padma aj Nai of Sc ee , howeve , believed i was he bes pe fo ma ce of his ca ee .66

His fi s elease i 2001 was Su eel Da sha -di ec ed d ama Ek Rish aa: The Bo d of Love. Kuma was p aised fo his pe fo ma ce i he film.67 Nex , he played a ega ive ole i he Abbas Mus a -di ec ed film Aj abee.6869 While eviewi g he film fo Rediff.com, Sa i a Ta wa e med Kuma he su p ise package of he film. She added ha he was i o al co ol as he bad guy.70 The film wo him his fi s Filmfa e Awa d fo Bes Villai a d IIFA awa d 2002 fo Pe fo ma ce i a Nega ive Role.187172

His fi s elease i 2002 was Dha mesh Da sha -di ec ed oma ic d ama Haa Mai e Bhi Pyaa Kiya. He played he ole as a bli d ma i Vipul Am u lal Shah a d Shaa a g Dev Pa di -di ec ed heis film Aa khe , co-s a i g Ami abh Bachcha , A ju Rampal, Adi ya Pa choli, Sushmi a Se a d Pa esh Rawal. His pe fo ma ce i he film was c i ically acclaimed.737475 Nex , he s a ed i he Vik am Bha -di ec ed comedy Awa a Paagal Deewa a. Rediff.com’s eview of he film me io ed ha his si ce i y a d i e si y see i He a Phe i, Ek Rish aa – The Bo d of Love a d Aa khe seems missi g.76 His las film of he yea was Rajkuma Kohli-di ec ed supe a u al ho o film Jaa i Dushma : Ek A okhi Kaha i alo gside Ma isha Koi ala, Su il She y, Su y Deol, Af ab Shivdasa i, A shad Wa si, Adi ya Pa choli a d A maa Kohli. The film was a emake of Kohli’s fo me film Naagi a d eceived mos ly ega ive eviews f om c i ics.7778 Ta a Ada sh w o e o ly Mu ishA maa Kohli a d Akshay Kuma leave a impac .79 I 2003 he s a ed i Su eel Da sha ‘s ac io film Talaash: The Hu Begi s… opposi e Ka ee a Kapoo . While eviewi g he film, Ta a Ada sh w o e Akshay Kuma is plai medioc e. The ole ha dly offe s him scope o y ou a y hi g diffe e .80 Nex , he s a ed i Raj Ka wa -di ec ed oma ic d ama A daaz alo gside P iya ka Chop a a d La a Du a. The film eceived mixed eviews f om c i ics,8182 bu u ed ou o be a comme cial success a he box office a d he fi s u ive sal hi of 2003.8384

I 2004 Kuma s a ed i Rajkuma Sa oshi’s ac io d ama h ille Khakee alo gside Ami abh Bachcha , Ajay Devg a d Aishwa ya Rai. Kuma played he ole of I spec o Shekha Ve ma, a co up , mo ally ba k up cop who cha ges himself du i g a missio o a sfe a accused Pakis a i spy D . Iqbal A sa i (played by A ul Kulka i) f om a emo e ow i Maha ash a o Mumbai. The film a d Kuma ‘s ac i g we e posi ively eviewed by c i ics.858687 He was omi a ed fo he Filmfa e Bes Suppo i g Ac o Awa d fo his ole i he film.88 His o he eleases i cluded Dileep Shukla’s c ime film Police Fo ce: A I side S o y. He s a ed alo gside Ravee a Ta do , Am ish Pu i a d Raj Babba . The film’s p oduc io was delayed followi g he b eak-up of he lead ac o s Ta do a d Kuma .89 Upo elease i eceived ega ive eviews f om c i ics.90 Nex , Kuma played Ha i Om Pa aik, a IPS office i Madhu Bha da ka -di ec ed Aa : Me a Wo k.91 He s a ed i David Dhawa -di ec ed oma ic comedy Mujhse Shaadi Ka ogi alo gside Salma Kha a d P iya ka Chop a. He played he ole of Su y, Samee (played by Kha )’s oomma e who pu sui s Ra i (played by Chop a)-Samee ‘s love i e es . The film eceived posi ive eviews.92 Ta a Ada sh p aised Kuma a d w o e Akshay Kuma is a evela io … he su passes his p evious wo k. His imi g is fa as ic a d he co vic io wi h which he ca ies off he evil s eak i his pe so ali y is bou d o be alked-abou i days o come.93 His pe fo ma ce i he film ea ed him his hi d omi a io fo suppo i g ac o a he Filmfa e Awa ds as well as a omi a io fo bes comic ole.94 His o he films i cluded Abbas-Mus a di ec ed Ai aaz a d S M Iqbal’s Me i Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahi . I he fo me , Kuma played agai s ype as a wo ke w o gly accused of **7**ual ha assme by his female boss played by Chop a. Acco di g o he di ec o s, Ai aaz was i spi ed by Na io al Baske ball Associa io playe Kobe B ya (who was accused of ape by a fa );95 a d he film’s developme bega whe hey ead abou his **7**ual-assaul case i he ewspape s.96 Talki g abou he cha ac e Kuma said ha i is ealis ic a d could be desc ibed as a ew-age me o**7**ual ma . He added ha Ai aaz was he boldes film he had do e.97 I he la e he s a ed opposi e S idevi. The film was sho i 1994 bu was eleased i 2004 af e a delay of 10 yea s.

The ex yea Kuma s a ed i Dha mesh Da sha -di ec ed oma ic d ama musical film Bewafaa opposi e Ka ee a Kapoo . He played he ole of Raja, a aspi i g musicia who pu sues his love i e es A jali (played by Ka ee a Kapoo ) eve af e she is ma ied o Adi ya Sahai (played by A il Kapoo ). The film eceived mixed eviews f om film c i ic bu Kuma was p aised fo his ac i g. A upama Chop a of I dia Today w o e ha Ka ee a Kapoo a d Kuma s a d ou . Ta a Ada sh w o e Akshay Kuma does well i a ole ha fi s him like a glove.9899 La e ha yea he ac ed i Vipul Am u lal Shah’s family d ama Waq : The Race Agai s Time alo gside Ami abh Bachcha , a o he P iyada sha -di ec ed comedy Ga am Masala alo gside Joh Ab aham. Waq : The Race Agai s Time was a family d ama film. The film a d Kuma ‘s ac i g eceived mixed eviews.100 Vishal D’Souza w o e Akshay shoulde s a au ho -backed ole, ca yi g mo e of he film’s emo io al baggage hough he is dis i c ly u comfo able i he soppy-weepy sce es.101 The films succeeded a he box office102103 a d his pe fo ma ce i he la e ea ed him his seco d Filmfa e Awa d, fo Bes Comedia .18 His o he films i cluded Vik am Bha -di ec ed ac io comedy oma ce film Deewa e Huye Paagal a d Su eel Da sha di ec ed oma ic d ama Dos i: F ie ds Fo eve . I he fo me he s a ed alo gside Shahid Kapoo , Su il She y a d Rimi Se while i he la e he s a ed alo gside Ka ee a Kapoo a d Bobby Deol. Bo h of hese films eceived posi ive eviews.104105

Kuma ‘s fi s elease of 2006 was Rajkuma Sa oshi-di ec ed d ama Family – Ties of Blood followed by Su eel Da sha ‘s Me e Jeeva Saa hi a d Raj Ka wa ‘s Humko Deewa a Ka Gaye. Nex , he s a ed i a sequel o He a Phe i i led Phi He a Phe i. As was he fo me , he sequel became a huge success a he box office.106 La e ha yea he s a ed alo gside Salma Kha a d P ei y Zi a i he Shi ish Ku de -di ec ed oma ic musical film Jaa -E-Ma . The film was a well a icipa ed elease, a d despi e eceivi g posi ive eviews f om c i ics, did o do as well as expec ed a he box office.106 The film eceived mos ly ega ively eviews. Vidya P adha of Rediff.com called i a biza e movie.107 Though he film u de -pe fo med, his ole as a shy, lovable e d was p aised.108 He e ded he yea wi h P iyada sha ‘s comedy mu de mys e y film Bhagam Bhag. He s a ed alo gside La a Du a, Govi da a d Pa esh Rawal a d played he cha ac e of a hea e ac o . The film eceived mixed eviews a d Rediff.com called Kuma he eal he o of he film.109110 The film was comme cially successful.106 The same yea , he led he Hea 2006 wo ld ou alo g wi h fellow s a s Saif Ali Kha , P ei y Zi a, Sushmi a Se a d Celi a Jai ley.111

۲۰۰۷–۲۰۱۱

۲۰۰۷ p oved o be Kuma ‘s mos successful yea du i g his ca ee i he i dus y, a d as desc ibed by box office a alys s, p obably he bes eve eco ded by a ac o , wi h fou ou igh hi s a d o flops.112113114115116 His fi s elease, Vipul Am u lal Shah-di ec ed Namas ey Lo do , was c i ically a d comme cially successful, a d his pe fo ma ce ea ed him a Bes Ac o omi a io a he Filmfa e. C i ic Ta a Ada sh w o e of his pe fo ma ce i he film, he’s su e o wi he hea s of millio s of moviegoe s wi h a e ific po ayal i his film.117 Kuma ‘s chemis y wi h lead ac ess Ka i a Kaif also ge e a ed imme se app ecia io , wi h Nikha Kazmi of The Times of I dia desc ibi g hei pai i g as ef eshi g.118 His ex wo eleases, Sajid Kha -di ec ed Heyy Babyy a d P iyada sha ‘s Bhool Bhulaiyaa, we e box office successes as well.119120 I bo h of hese films he s a ed opposi e Vidya Bala . Kuma ‘s las elease of he yea , he A ees Bazmee-di ec ed Welcome, did ex emely well a he box office, eceivi g a blockbus e s a us a d simul a eously becomi g his fif h successive hi .121 All of Kuma ‘s films which eleased ha yea did well i he ove seas ma ke as well.122 Kuma appea ed i a cameo ole i Fa ah Kha di ec ed Om Sha i Om. His ole was lis ed as o. 3 o he Top 10 Cameos i Bollywood lis of Me sXP.com.123

Kuma ‘s fi s film of 2008, Vijay K ish a Acha ya-di ec ed ac io h ille Tasha , ma ked his comeback o he Yash Raj Films ba e af e 11 yea s. Al hough a poll (co duc ed by Bollywood Hu gama) amed i he mos a icipa ed elease of he yea ,124 he film u de -pe fo med a he box office g ossi g ₹۲۷۹ millio (US$5.76 millio ) i I dia.125 His seco d film, Bazmee-di ec ed Si gh Is Ki g i which he s a ed opposi e Kaif was a huge success a he box office a d b oke he fi s -week wo ldwide eco d of Om Sha i Om, he p evious highes figu e.126 His ex film was he a ima ed film Jumbo, di ec ed by Kompi Kemgum i d. The yea also saw Kuma maki g his small sc ee debu as he hos of he successful show Fea Fac o  – Kha o Ke Khiladi. He la e e u ed o hos he show’s seco d seaso i 2009.127128

I 2009, Kuma fea u ed opposi e Deepika Paduko e i he Wa e B os. a d Roha Sippy p oduc io Cha d i Chowk o Chi a. Di ec ed by Nikhil Adva i, he film was a c i ical a d comme cial failu e a he box office.129130131 Kuma ‘s ex elease was 8 x 10 Tasvee , a ac io – h ille di ec ed by Nagesh Kuku oo ha failed comme cially. His ex elease was Sabbi Kha ‘s ba le-of- he-**7**es comedy Kambakkh Ishq. Se i Los A geles, i was he fi s I dia film o be sho a U ive sal S udios a d fea u ed cameo appea a ces by Hollywood ac o s.132 The film was poo ly eceived by c i ics bu became a eco omic success, ea i g ove ₹۸۴۰ millio (US$17.35 millio ) wo ldwide. Kuma ‘s film Blue was eleased o 16 Oc obe 2009. Blue eceived ega ive eviews a d collec ed abou ₹ ۴۲۰ millio a he box office.133134135 His las elease i 2009 was P iyada sha ‘s De Da a Da . He s a ed alo gside Ka i a Kaif, Su iel She y a d Pa esh Rawal. Kuma played a se va who pla s o kid ap his ow e ‘s dog. The film eceived mixed eviews.136137138

He he appea ed i he 2010 comedy, Housefull, di ec ed by Sajid Kha which ga e ed he seco d-highes ope i g weeke d collec io of all ime.139 Kuma ‘s ex elease was Kha a Mee ha, di ec ed by P iyada sha which was a ave age g osse . The film eceived ega ive eviews.140 Rajeev Masa d of CNN-IBN called i a schizoph e ic film.141 He also appea ed i Vipul Shah’s Ac io Replayy, which was a box office failu e.142 The film eceived mos ly ega ive eviews.143144 His las film of 2010 was Tees Maa Kha . Di ec ed by Fa ah Kha , he film eceived poo c i ical eviews bu became mode a ely successful.145146147148

I 2011 he s a ed i Pa iala House a d Tha k You. His las film of 2011 was Rohi Dhawa -di ec ed Desi Boyz (2011), which co-s a ed Joh Ab aham, Chi a gada Si gh a d Deepika Paduko e. He also co-p oduced a film wi h Russell Pe e s i led B eakaway (dubbed i o Hi di as Speedy Si ghs) which is emi isce of his ow Pa iala House.149 B eakaway became he highes -g ossi g c oss-cul u al movie of 2011 i Ca ada. Kuma dubbed fo he ole of Op imus P ime i he Hi di ve sio of Hollywood, ac io blockbus e , T a sfo me s: Da k of he Moo . He ook he dubbi g ole fo his so , Aa av, a d did so fo f ee.150

۲۰۱۲–۲۰۱۵

His fi s elease of 2012 was Housefull 2, a sequel of his ea lie comedy film Housefull. Kuma ‘s ex film was he P abhudeva-di ec ed ac io d ama Rowdy Ra ho e i which he played a double ole opposi e So akshi Si ha.151 The film ea ed mo e ha ₹۱٫۳ billio (US$24.33 millio ) i I dia. Bo h of hese films g ossed ove ₹۱ billio (US$18.71 millio ) a he box office.152 I 2012, he fou ded a o he p oduc io compa y called G azi g Goa Pic u es Pv L d.153

Joke was epo edly p omo ed as Kuma ‘s 100 h film,154155156 bu la e Akshay Kuma cla ified ha he 100 h film la dma k had bee c ossed lo g befo e he eve sig ed up fo Joke . I was a miscalcula io o Shi ish’s pa . OMG is my 116 h film, he said.157 Kuma kep himself away f om he film’s p omo io due o diffe e ces wi h Ku de . Reac i g o Kuma ‘s backi g ou f om he film’s p omo io Ku de wee ed A ue leade akes espo sibili y fo his eam a d leads hem h ough hick a d hi . Neve aba do s hem a d u s away. He la e dele ed he wee .158 His la e elease Oh My God which he p oduced a d s a ed alo g wi h Pa esh Rawal.151 I had a slow ope i g bu because of wo d of mou h i picked up.159

His las elease i 2012 was Khiladi 786, he eigh h i s alme i his famous Khiladi se ies as well as he comeback of he se ies af e 12 yea s. Al hough film was pa ed by c i ics i g ossed 700 millio a he domes ic box office.ci a io eeded His fi s elease i 2013 was Special Chabbis which ea ed a posi ive c i ical ecep io a d was mode a ely successful a he box office. Al hough he movie ea ed him posi ive eviews a d comme cial success, ade a alys s o ed ha he movie could have do e much be e busi ess due o i s good co e a d Kuma ‘s high-p ofile. Mila Lu h ia chose Kuma o play he cha ac e of Shoaib Kha (based o Dawood Ib ahim) i he ga gs e film O ce Upo ay Time i Mumbai Dobaa a!, sequel o O ce Upo a Time i Mumbaai. I p oved o be a below ave age a he box office. The film was decla ed a flop by Box Office I dia.160 I eceived mixed eviews howeve Kuma ‘s ac i g was p aised by a majo i y of c i ics. I a eview fo Hi dus a Times, A upama Chop a w o e ha Kuma makes a s ella kille .161 Madhu ee a Mukhe jee of The Times of I dia p aised Kuma ‘s pe fo ma ce a d said ha Bhai ac wi h flamboya ce a d mojo … He ge s a cha ce o do wha he does bes – he ogi i (albei less me aci g, mo e e e ai i g), wi h cha isma a d clap- ap dialoguebaazi.162 Al Paci o saw he film’s aile a d p omos a d admi ed Kuma ‘s po ayal of Shoaib Kha , a ga gs e . He said ha he p omos a d pos e s emi ded him of his ow The Godfa he . Kuma said of Paci o’s espo se: A ouch of app ecia io is always held dea ly i a ac o ‘s a ms, eve if i ‘s f om he simples of people like ou beloved spo boys. Bu o have you wo k spoke of so ki dly by he wo ld’s mos admi ed ga gs e Al Paci o himself – I had goose-bumps hi ki g abou him wa chi g he p omo! I was so humbled, o o ly as a ac o bu as a fa of his lege da y wo k.163164 Rajeev Masa d of CNN-IBN c i icised Kuma fo his i -you -face flamboya ce.165 Af e he film’s mai ly ega ive eviews, Kuma lashed ou a c i ics, accusi g hem of lacki g a u de s a di g of he audie ce a d he basic ideas of filmmaki g.166 Buil o a app oxima e budge of ₹۱ billio (US$18.71 millio ),167 i was he fi s majo Hi di la guage film o be sho i Oma .168 Kuma eceived a omi a io fo Bes Ac o i a Nega ive Role a Zee Ci e Awa ds.169

His ex elease was A ho y D Souza’s Boss alo gside Shiv Pa di a d Adi i Rao Hyda i. The movie eceived mixed eviews;170171172 i pe fo med poo ly a he box office e i g ₹۵۴۰ millio (equivale o ₹۷۳۰ millio o US$9.2 millio i 2020) domes ically.ci a io eeded Kuma came back s o gly wi h Holiday: A Soldie Is Neve Off Du y, he Hi di emake of he 2012 Tamil film Thuppakki. This ac io d ama ea ed bo h c i ical a d comme cial success e e i g he 1 billio eli e club a d became he highes g osse of 2014.ci a io eeded The film eceived c i ical acclaim a d is Kuma ‘s hi d film o g oss ove ₹۱ billio (US$17.07 millio ) a he box office.173174175176 He he s a ed i E e ai me a d has su g a so g fo his film I ‘s E e ai me . Maki g of he so g has bee uploaded o YouTube.177 His las film of 2014 was The Shaukee s. He appea ed as himself i i a d p oduced i .178 He he played he lead ole i he h ille s Baby a d Gabba is Back.179180 Kuma ‘s fi s collabo a io wi h Ka a Joha , B o he s was eleased o 14 Augus 2015.181 His ex elease was Si gh is Bli g, a quasi sequel o 2008’s Si gh is Ki g was eleased o 2 Oc obe 2015 a d is p oduced by G azi g Goa s Pic u es.182

۲۰۱۶–p ese

His fi s elease was Ai lif eleased o 22 Ja ua y 2016 was c i ically a d comme cially successful,183 a d seco d was Housefull 3 which eleased o 3 Ju e 2016.184 Rus om which was p oduced by Nee aj Pa dey a d ma ked his 3 d elease of 2016. Akshay was p aised fo his pe fo ma ce i Rus om which ga e ed him ume ous awa d omi a io s. Rus om g ossed mo e ha 2 billio a he box office.185 Bo h Ai lif a d Rus om ea ed him he Na io al Film Awa d fo Bes Ac o .186

His seco d film elease i 2017 was Toile : Ek P em Ka ha. This film depic ed he se ious social issue of oile s i ce ai egio s of he cou y. Akshay’s pe fo ma ce was p aised. Akshay Kuma dug a oile i Madhya P adesh o p omo e he film.187 The movie aile was eleased o 11 Ju e 2017.188 PM Modi called i a good effo o fu he he message of clea li ess, as pe Swachh Bha a Abhiya .189190

I 2018, Akshay s a ed i a o he social d ama film Pad Ma alo gside So am Kapoo a d Radhika Ap e.191 He la e made his Tamil ci ema debu i he scie ce fic io h ille 2.0, a s a dalo e sequel o he 2010 film E hi a , co-s a i g Raji ika h, i which he played a evil o i hologis amed Pakshi aja .192193194195

I 2019, Kuma appea ed i Ka a Joha ‘s film Kesa i opposi e Pa i ee i Chop a, based o he s o y of he Ba le of Sa aga hi. The film g ossed ove ₹۲ billio (US$28.4 millio ) wo ldwide.196197 He ex fea u ed i Missio Ma gal wi h a e semble cas of Vidya Bala , Taapsee Pa u, Ni hya Me e , Sha ma Joshi a d So akshi Si ha. The film is abou he s o y of scie is s a I dia Space Resea ch O ga isa io who co ibu ed o he Ma s O bi e Missio , which ma ked I dia’s fi s i e pla e a y expedi io .198 Housefull 4, di ec ed by Fa had Samji, was eleased i Oc obe 2019.199 His ex elease i Decembe 2019 was Ka a Joha ‘s a d his ow p oduc io Good Newwz, a oma ic comedy abou su ogacy, opposi e Ka ee a Kapoo Kha .200201

His o ly elease i 2020 was he ho o comedy Laxmii, di ec ed by Raghava Law e ce, a official emake of he Tamil film Ka cha a opposi e Kia a Adva i.202203 I was eleased o 9 Novembe o Dis ey Ho s a , a d was o eleased hea ically i I dia due o he COVID-19 pa demic.204 The film evolves a ou d a ma who ge s possessed by he ghos of a a sge de . I eceived mixed o ega ive eviews f om c i ics, p aisi g he pe fo ma ce of Kuma , bu c i icised he w i i g a d sc ee play of he film.ci a io eeded

I 2021, Kuma had h ee eleases, amely, Bell Bo om, a spy h ille i spi ed f om eal life hijacki g eve s i I dia by Khalis a i sepa a is s du i g he 1980s, di ec ed by Ra ji M Tewa i,205 Soo yava shi, a Cop U ive se co i ua io of Si gham a d Simmba, di ec ed by Rohi She y206 a d Aa a d L. Rai’s A a gi Re alo g wi h Sa a Ali Kha i dual oles opposi e him a d Dha ush o Dis ey Ho s a ,207 we e eleased i 2021.208209

I 2022, Kuma ‘s fi s elease was Bachchha Paa dey, whe e he played he i ula ole of a ga gs e , a ame de ived f om Kuma ‘s cha ac e i he 2008 film Tasha .210 The film pai ed him wi h K i i Sa o , a d also fea u es Jacqueli e Fe a dez a d A shad Wa si.211 Despi e a e semble cas a d hype amo g fa s, Bachchha Paa dey ga he ed ega ive c i ical ecep io a d was o successful a he box office.212

His ex elease was he his o ical film Sam a P i hvi aj, which was based o life of he Hi du wa io P i hvi aj Chauha . I also s a ed So u Sood, Sa jay Du a d debu a Ma ushi Chhilla . Released hea ically o 3 Ju e 2022, he film ope ed o mixed eviews. A uj Kuma of The Hi du w o e ‘I o de o o e dow his body la guage a d acce , Kuma has los much of his adema k e e gy a d could o develop he g avi as equi ed o play he celeb a ed ule . He g owls like a lio who has los his bi e a d despi e all he ai -b ushi g, does ‘ look like he boy who became a Sam a i his 20s’.213 Made o a budge of 300 c o e, he film failed o pe fo m well a he box office.214215

His a o he movie Rakshaba dha which was eleased o he ex e ded weeke d of 5 days o 11 h Augus eceived mixed eviews. The Hi du w o e ”The film’s e gagi g powe ful a i-dow y se ime s, alo g wi h Akshay’s b illia comic imi g, e su es ha he e is e ough o keep he audie ce ied fo wo hou s”.216 The I dia Exp ess a ed he film 1.5 ou of 5 s a s a d w o e Do he filmmake s uly believe ha such low- e family d amas, wi h hei u easy mix of humou a d c ass ess.217 The film could ‘ ma age o imp ess he audie ce a d sco ed poo ly a he I dia icke wi dows. The film ma aged o ea me e $4.2 millio ove he ex e ded weeke d. 218

Pe so al life a d off-sc ee wo k

Kuma ma ied Twi kle Kha a, he daugh e of ac o s Rajesh Kha a a d Dimple Kapadia, o 17 Ja ua y 2001. Toge he hey have a so , a d a daugh e .219220 He is k ow as a p o ec ive fa he a d keeps his child e away f om he media. He s a ed ha he wa s o give hem a o mal childhood.221 I 2009, while pe fo mi g a a show fo Levis a Lakme Fashio Week, Kuma asked Twi kle o u bu o his jea s. This i cide spa ked a co ove sy which led o a police case bei g filed agai s hem.222

Kuma s ays i shape wi h a combi a io of kickboxi g, baske ball, swimmi g a d Pa kou as well as wo ki g ou . While i s a da d eigh h he had s a ed p ac isi g Ka a e. He i e ded o ope a ma ial a s school a d he s a e gove me of Maha ash a allo ed la d fo he school i Bhaya da .223 I 2004, he was ho ou ed wi h he Rajiv Ga dhi Awa d fo his ou s a di g achieveme s i Bollywood. I he same yea , he p ese ed he elevisio se ies Seve Deadly A s wi h Akshay Kuma fo f ee.224 The followi g yea Kuma was awa ded he highes Japa ese ho ou of Ka a a a d a six h deg ee black bel i Kuyukai Gōjū- yū ka a e.

Kuma was i i ially a eligious, p ac isi g Shaiva Hi du who egula ly visi ed sh i es a d emples ac oss he cou y, i cludi g he famed Vaish o Devi Ma di ,225226227228 bu i Ma ch 2020 he s a ed, I do ‘ believe i a y eligio . I o ly believe i bei g I dia .229 He is a ee o alle bu has e do sed fo a liquo b a d i he pas . Half of he sum was give fo daa (cha i y wo k), of which he has bee doi g mo e of i ece imes.228 He has also do a ed ₹۵ millio (US$93,567.08) o Salma Kha ‘s Bei g Huma Fou da io .230 As of 2013upda e, Kuma has bee he Hi di film i dus y’s highes adva ce axpaye fo six co secu ive yea s. He paid ₹۱۹۰ millio (US$3.24 millio ) as adva ce ax payme i ha yea .231

O 9 Augus 2014, Kuma pe fo med a his 500 h live show. The show was held i O2 A e a i Lo do as pa of he i augu al fu c io of he Wo ld Kabaddi League. His fi s live show was held i 1991 i Delhi. Kuma ow s Be gal Wa io s a eam i he I dia Kabbadi League.223232 He helped Kha a wi h edi i g he d af s of he debu book M s Fu ybo es.233 Kuma also had do a ed a sum of ₹۹ millio o d ough hi fa me s i Maha ash a i 2015.234235 He has also do a ed ₹۵ millio o aid d ough affec ed people h ough he Maha ash a gove me ‘s Jalyuk Shiva Abhiya .236 I Ma ch 2013, he s a ed a 30-bed ca ce shel e fo policeme i Naigao .237

O 9 Ap il 2017, Kuma a d U io Home Mi is e Raj a h Si gh p omo ed a mobile pho e app, Bha a Ke Vee , which allows use s o do a e mo ey o families of people who sac ificed hei lives fo I dia. Agai o 20 Ja ua y 2018, he pa icipa ed i he lau ch of a A hem fo he i i ia ive. I a eve i Delhi he appealed fo people o do a e o he Bha a Ke Vee cause, a d ₹۱۲۹٫۳ millio (US$1.89 millio ) was collec ed.238239 I 2021, Kuma do a ed ₹۱ c o e fo co s uc io of a school buildi g i Nee u Village of Ba dipo a dis ic i Jammu a d Kashmi .240

Ci ize ship

Some ime du i g o af e he 2011 Ca adia fede al elec io , he Co se va ive gove me he e g a ed Ca adia ci ize ship o Kuma by i voki g a li le-k ow law which allowed ci cumve i g he usual eside cy equi eme fo Ca adia immig a s.1 Acco di g o a fo me Co se va ive Pa y mi is e , To y Cleme , he ci ize ship was awa ded i e u fo Kuma ‘s offe of pu i g his s a powe o use o adva ce Ca ada-I dia ela io s, a d Ca ada’s ade ela io s, comme cial ela io s, i he movie sec o , i he ou ism sec o .1 Al hough Kuma had ea lie appea ed i a campaig eve fo Co se va ive P ime Mi is e S ephe Ha pe i B amp o , O a io, a ci y wi h a la ge I do-Ca adia popula io ,241 a d p aised Ha pe , Cleme de ied ha he ci ize ship was a ewa d fo pa isa suppo .1 Kuma had eceived a ho o a y doc o a e deg ee f om he U ive si y of Wi dso , a d i a 2010 i e view wi h he Eco omis claimed he had dual ci ize ship.242 He was o e of he 15 i e a io al celeb i ies i vi ed fo he Olympics o ch-bea e ally o Ca ada.243

I Decembe 2019, Kuma s a ed ha he has applied fo a I dia passpo a d pla s o give up his Ca adia ci ize ship.244

Filmog aphy

P oduc io

Awa ds a d omi a io s

Kuma has bee ecipie of wo Filmfa e Awa ds f om 13 omi a io s: Bes Villai fo Aj abee (2002) a d Bes Comedia fo Ga am Masala (2006), a d a Na io al Film Awa d fo Bes Ac o fo he films Rus om a d Ai lif (bo h 2016).245186246 I 2008, he U ive si y of Wi dso co fe ed a ho o a y Doc o a e of Law o Kuma i ecog i io of his co ibu io o I dia ci ema.247248 The followi g yea , he was awa ded he Padma Sh i by he Gove me of I dia.249 I 2011, The Asia Awa ds ho ou ed Kuma fo his ou s a di g achieveme i Ci ema.250251

Befo e They We e Famous: Ac o s’ Ea ly Roles

See pho os of celeb i ies like Cou e ey Cox a d Jaso Momoa befo e hey hi he big- ime, a d evisi some of hei ea lies o sc ee oles.

See he full galle y

akshay kumar