Akshay Kumar in Boss

When t2 dropped in on the sets of Ghajini maker A.R. Murugadoss’s forthcoming film Holiday (the Hindi remake of the Tamil hit Thuppakki) at Mehboob Studio in Bandra, Akshay Kumar was busy perfecting his dance moves.

The dingy, dimly-lit studio was filled with foreign dancers in ill-fitting clothes. Between shots that involved jumping and kicking, Akshay made sure the floor was mopped. It’s not like he is a closet cleanliness freak, ‘Khiladi’ Kumar was just cautious: “I was doing some high kicks in a song sequence. It may have seemed really simple but I had to make sure that where I was landing wasn’t wet with sweat or had debris. I could slip on anything… a rose petal, a nail or a screw.”

Once the shot was canned, the 46-year-old sat down in his plush trailer van to talk about his October 16 release Boss, his “stupid stunts” over the years and why fathers in Bollywood are taken for granted.

Most actors from your generation are now doing one film every year. Boss is your third release in 2013…

I can only speak for myself. I want to work as much as I can. The way I see it, the more films I make, more people get employed. But this is not the only reason. I don’t understand the concept of sitting back and taking things easy. This day will not come back, so if I do nothing today the day is wasted. That’s unacceptable.

Boss brings you back to the action genre, which you obviously love. How do you define a good action film?

A good action film is not just defined by how many cars are blown up or the number of fight sequences in a film. I think it’s all about timing. Even a slap can be effective if it comes at the right moment in the film. For example, there was a small jump that I had done in Khiladi about 18-20 years ago. In the scene, I call out to someone and jump off a moving Ambassador. It wasn’t a big stunt but I remember the audience going crazy over it. No one clapped as much for the hundreds of kicks I did before or after that scene. That’s when I understood the importance of timing.

When you look back at your career, in what ways have action sequences evolved?

It has changed drastically. A lot of technology has been introduced. We didn’t have cable work when I started out. You have to accept the changes in audiences’ tastes. We are obviously nowhere close to the kind of action you see coming out of Hollywood but considering the budgets we are given, I think we really do a good job.

You had earlier mentioned that Boss has more man-to-man action, which is how things were when you started out....

I want to bring that style back. Rather than let computers do all the work, action should be about two men fighting it out. It’s more macho. Women love to see two men fight (laughs).

Do you remember the craziest or the scariest action sequence you’ve ever done?

(Sighs) I have done too many stunts. There was one where I jumped from one building to another with a road in between. This was before cable work and I was foolish enough to do it! In Khiladi 420 I stood on top of a moving plane. Picking up The Undertaker (WWE wrestler) in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi was another stupid decision and I paid for it by hurting my back.

Hrithik Roshan’s recent health scare (he underwent brain surgery after what seemed like an injury from an action scene in Bang Bang) has triggered talk about safety issues when shooting action sequences.

It’s rare to get hurt while performing big stunts. It’s always the smaller ones, those that look simple that can trip you up. You are always more cautious while performing a major fight sequence. People rather get hurt jumping from a low stool than from a highrise building.

How do you keep yourself updated about developments in the action genre?

There was a time when I used to make it a point to research what was happening in martial arts in the country I was visiting. Unfortunately, I don’t get much time these days to learn new things during travels. So I send people out to learn and they come back and teach me. Thailand continues to be one country I learn the most from. It normally takes me a month of practise to pick up new moves. Of course, I keep myself updated with South Asian and Hollywood films. And there are YouTube videos that Aarav (his son) shares with me. I hate being in front of a computer or an iPad but I have to do it to improve myself.

You have said that one of the reasons you signed on Boss was because of the strong father-son connection in the film…

Haan… our films focus on all sorts of relationships… bhai-behen, ma-beti, husband-wife, two friends, but not too much on the poor father. There aren’t even any songs about the poor father. It’s almost like he is sent out to earn for the family and that’s the end. (Laughs) I think I have done the maximum films that focus on this relationship.

What kind of a bond did you have with your father (Hari Om Bhatia)…

It was great. As far as I am concerned, he was the best father ever. He was friendly and really understood me. He was my everything.

Does your relationship with Aarav mirror what you had with your father?

I try to make our relationship similar to what I had with my father. Unfortunately, I don’t have the kind of time my father spent with us. My father had a 9-to-6 job and once he was home, his children were his focus. Even if I am in the city, I work odd hours. This is why years ago I made it a point to not work on Sundays… that’s the day I spend with my family.

Last year you welcomed a baby girl (Nitara) into your family. How is fatherhood treating you the second time?

I feel complete now. So far, Aarav was my priority and now my daughter has been added to the list. Parenthood is never easy. From the first breath your children take, you are responsible for everything in their lives.

Power-pack five

Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi: After getting chokeslammed by The Undertaker, he fights back.

Khiladi 420: Evades four jeeps carrying policemen, tackles bazooka rockets and skates by clinging on to a rope tied to the villain’s car. The sequence where he jumps off a helicopter was much-talked-about in its time.

Angaaray: Jumps from one building to another, with a smile!

Sainik: All martial arts punches as he mows down one baddie after another.

Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani: Watch it for the bike chase sequence.

Karishma Upadhyay

Is Akshay Kumar the best action hero of Bollywood? Tellt2@abp.in