Akshay Kumar with Rimii in Deewane Huey Paagal

“It’s time for me to get seriously involved,” jokes Akshay Kumar. He has just returned from the US after shooting for the comedy, Deewane Huey Paagal. “It was great fun. I always enjoy doing comedy, and this was no exception. But now it’s time to get serious in seriously triangular situations,” he grins.

The first love triangle to go on the floors next week is Raj Kanwar’s Humko Deewane Kar Gaye where Akshay gets together with his Ajnabee-Aankhen costar Bipasha Basu, and also for the first time, with Katrina Kaif who made her debut in Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar (her disastrous appearance in Boom notwithstanding). “It’s a long-standing commitment with T-Series. And Raj Kanwar who directed me in my superhit love triangle, Andaaz, is directing this film. So I guess I’ve a lot to look forward to.”

What’s with Akshay’s affinity with love triangles? “Search me. But it’s a fact that I’ve done loads of love triangles like Arzoo (with Madhuri and Saif), Dhadkan (with Suneil and Shilpa), Andaaz (with Lara and Priyanka), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (with Salman and Priyanka), Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon (with Bobby and Divya Khosla) and Haan Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya (with Abhishek and Karisma).”

This week Akshay also starts shooting for Shirish Kunder’s Jaan-e-Man “where I team up with Salman again after Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”. “We had a great time shooting together. There’s absolutely no sense of rivalry between us. He was happy in his space, and I in mine. I’m sure we’ll again have a whale of a time.”

Akshay has often been accused of being instrumental in truncating his male costars’ roles in the past. “Who? Suniel Shetty and Saif Ali Khan?” Akshay asks sarcastically. “Sure, that’s why they kept doing films with me over and over again? Aa Akshay mujhe kaat?.ha-ha. And by the way, I’ve just shot with John Abraham. Should I brace myself for more such accusations?”

Interestingly, Jaan-e-Man and Humko Deewana Kar Gaye are two con-comedy films for Akshay after shooting a spate of comedies ? Phir Hera Pheri, Garam Masala and Deewane Huey Pagaal. Jaan-e-Man is special because it brings together the Mujhse Shaadi Karogi team except Priyanka Chopra.

Akshay flares up at the rumour that he’s responsible for her ouster and Preity’s inclusion. “I dare anyone to prove I had anything to do with the casting of Jaan-e-Man. Log to kuchh bhi bol dete hain. And why would I not work with Priyanka after we’ve featured in four successive hits? Paagal hain kya?”

Lata Sinha